Distinctly Classical
Petra Christian Academy utilizes the classical model of education that is built upon the three stages of the Trivium: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
These three stages follow the natural development of children’s minds and help students become lifelong learners. A classical education incorporates the best of great literature, western civilization, and language study.
The Trivium
- Grammar (approximately K-5th). The grammar stage focuses on what children learn, and it gives children the parts, or “grammar,” of any subject. Children learn facts about geography, history, math, science, and more using songs, chants, and fun memory devices. At a young age, children naturally love word games and rhymes, so the grammar stage captures this momentum and replaces “eeny-meeny-miny-moe” with states and capitals, parts of speech, and more.
- Logic (approximately 6th-8th). The logic stage—sometimes called dialectic—focuses on every growing child’s favorite question: Why? The logic stage builds upon a child’s desire to understand the relationships and reasons behind things. Students begin a study in formal and informal logic and apply that to their growing knowledge from the grammar stage.
- Rhetoric (9th-12th). In the rhetoric stage, students focus on how to clearly and persuasively articulate their beliefs. They apply the rules learned in the Logic stage to the foundational information learned in Grammar stage, expressing their conclusions in clear, elegant, persuasive language. This prepares students to write college-level theses, utilizing their grasp of proper grammar as well their ability to think logically and critically.
Classical education is ultimately about learning how to learn and learning to love the truth. Classical education equips students for mastery rather than simply passing a test.
Learn More about Classical Education
We recommend you keep learning about Classical Education. Here are three short articles to get you started:
- “The Lost Tools of Learning” by Dorothy Sayers
- “What is Classical Education?” by Susan Wise Bauer (https://welltrainedmind.com/a/classical-education/)
- “An Introduction to Classical Education” by Dr. Christopher Perrin (http://classicalsubjects.com/resources/ICE.pdf)etr
Distinctly Collaborative
A collaborative education is one that, as its name suggests, allows for a unique collaboration between the parents and classroom teacher. The aim of collaborative education is to combine the best elements of a private Christian education and homeschooling.
Petra Christian provides a comprehensive curriculum. Students attend school two or three days a week in a classroom setting with professional, qualified teachers. This is a full school day with the full range of subjects. They then receive work to be completed at home with a parent on the alternate days. In Primer and Grammar school (PreK-3rd grade), Fridays are a flex day – a day for catching up on assignments, attending enrichment activities, or simply spending time with family.
Weekly Schedule
Weekly Schedule
- Monday: at-home school day
- Tuesday: on-campus school day
- Wednesday: at-home school day
- Thursday: on-campus school day
- Friday: Flex and enrichment day (PreK-3rd)
Campus Days
Students are on campus two or three days per week. However, Classical is not a “part-time” schooling option, since school does meet four to five days per week–some days are on campus, and the other days are at home. Parents guide students in completing assignments prepared by the on-campus teacher, and the on-campus teacher serves as a resource to the parents. This arrangement gives parents more time to enjoy and train their children, yet also provides freedom from choosing/planning curriculum and always being “on” as teacher. It also offers flexibility in family schedules, allowing a range of other activities to supplement on-campus activities. The learning schedule during at-home days can be adapted to a student’s particular learning style.
Home Day Requirements
The following are estimates for how much time will be needed on the home day to complete assignments. These numbers are simply a framework, and could certainly vary based on your child.
- Kindergarten: 2-3 hours (2 home days per week)
- 1st-3rd grade: 3-4 hours (2 home days per week)
Distinctly Christian
Petra Christian Academy is distinctively “Christian” and is committed to upholding the core, historical doctrines of Christianity. But Christianity is more than a subject. The goal of Christian education is to form students into learners and lovers of God.
At PCA, Christian teachers and staff will be unashamedly committed to our Statement of Beliefs and will seek to uphold the family and church as God’s normal means for discipleship.
What is Christian Education?
Trinity Classical Academy in Omaha aptly describes our passion for Christian education when they say, “Christian education is not merely the imparting of Christian doctrine, but the formation of students as lovers of God and worshippers of the Lord Jesus Christ.” [1] They go on to write:
“Many Christians and non-Christians alike have bought into the false idea that education is merely the transfer of information. Education, it is assumed, is value-free; schools can teach “the facts” and leave it to parents, churches, and communities to impart values. But this distinction between facts and values is rooted in the Enlightenment-era philosophy of Immanuel Kant – a philosophy that denies the ability to know things “as they really are.” The separation between facts and values is, in the end, a denial of knowledge itself.
“In reality, all education is formative. It is not merely the transfer of information, but the ordering of the soul’s affections in accordance with some ultimate desire. Every human being is a worshiper – a loving, willing, desiring being who is pursuing some vision of ‘the good life.’
“Therefore, a proper Christian education must do more than impart a biblical worldview. It must shape desires.”
Practical Implications
- Partnering with Parents. Rather than replacing the home, PCA will work to partner with parents as they take primary responsibility for the discipleship of their children.
- Christian Teachers. Teachers do not merely deliver knowledge—they instruct through their lives and character as well. So PCA will expect teachers to uphold the statement of faith and model Christian behavior.
- Christian Worldview. Our greatest goal is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. We are made in the image of God, but our greatest problem is our sinful hearts. Our greatest solution is the complete person and work of Jesus Christ. These truths will be foundational for the teaching at PCA.
- Formation & Information. Education happens both through information and formation. So an important part of PCA will be modeling and instilling the love of excellence through joyful, high standards.