Classical Education
What is Classical Education?
The classical approach teaches students how to think rather than merely what to think. Our goal is to form within students a “sacramental imagination” that leads them to the Truth in wonder, humility, and a deep respect for the human person, created in the image and likeness of God.
Grammar
In K-5, our methods are holistic, appealing to all types of learners; kinesthetic, visual, writing/reading and auditory.
Logic and Rhetoric
As students grow into the logic and rhetoric stages (middle school and high school), our methods focus more on writing, discussions and debates to encourage higher levels of thinking.
Classical Learning
St. Andrew School is a classical and Catholic school. Our twin commitments to classical learning and to Catholicism play equal roles in our formulation of mission, programs, and policies.
Resources
Want more resources and perspectives on classical education? See the links below! Some of these materials may not perfectly reflect St. Andrew’s mission, but can serve as guides in our pursuit of a deeply Catholic and classical education.
- “The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools” by Archbishop J. Michael Miller, C.S.. (also see a brief summary of the document)
- Institute for Catholic Liberal Education
- “The Lost Tools of Learning” by Dorothy L. Sayers
- The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
- “Teaching Classically” by Phillip W. Kilgore (N.B.: This essay is an adapted transcript of a speech given to a group of teachers participating in Hillsdale College’s Barney Charter School Initiative [BCSI]. This piece offers a wonderful and brief overview of the classical vision at these public charter schools. Much of what is presented is certainly applicable to St. Andrew but is also specific to the mission of that initiative and so cannot be taken as gospel for every classical school.)
- “A Classical Education for Modern Times” by Terrence O. Moore (N.B.: This essay is also specifically written for use by BCSI teachers. Many of the ideals here can be transmitted to most classical schools, but will not translate directly.)
- “An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents” by Dr. Christopher Perrin, M.Div., Ph.D.
- “What is Classical Education?” by Susan Wise Bauer
- “In Defense of Memorization” by Michael Knox Beran
- “The Eight Essential Principles of Classical Pedagogy” (YouTube) by Dr. Christopher Perrin
- “Will Rascals Defend Our Civilization… and What Books will they Read?” by William Edmund Fahey