We use a Classical approach to education based on the model known as the Trivium.  The Classical method was developed during Greco-Roman times, formalized in the medieval period, and nearly universally embraced by educators in the English speaking world until the early 20th  century, when experiments with alternative forms of education began.  During the past 20 years, there has been a recognition of the proven excellence of the Classical approach and a huge resurgence in the Classical movement.   Classical Christian schools are flourishing across America.  Naperville Christian Academy is a member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS), which has hundreds of member schools across 42 states.  There are Classical Christian schools in most major metropolitan areas, and an ever increasing rate of growth in new schools.

The Trivium, upon which the Classical approach is based, organizes learning around the maturing capacity of a child’s mind and comprises three stages: the elementary school Grammar Stage, in which the student acquires the building blocks of information; the middle school Logic Stage, in which the student begins to think more analytically; and the high school Rhetoric Stage, in which the student learns to write and speak with force and originality.  A summary of the Trivium is shown below:

Trivium Stage   Biblical Equivalent     Primary Goals                          Grades

Grammar              Knowledge                   - Information Acquisition           K-5
                                                                      - Knowledge Mastery

Logic                    Understanding             - Principle Comprehension        6-8     
                                                                      - Understanding                         
                                                                      - Reasoning

Rhetoric               Wisdom                         - Application                                9-12
                                                                      - Communication
                                                                      - Effective Presentation

Our approach is Classical in both pedagogy (teaching methods) and content.  We place a strong emphasis on the Bible and other classics, great works of literature, art, and music that have withstood the test of time.  A high level summary of our pedagogy and content for each stage of learning is provided below.  For a detailed description of our Curriculum, please click here.

Grammar Stage (Kindergarten - Grade 5)

In the Grammar Stage, students learn the grammar of each subject area.  By grammar, we mean the fundamental rules of each subject area and the basic data that exhibit those rules.  There is a strong emphasis on "the basics."   Students learn how to read and write well, and they master math facts and develop the skills to solve math problems.  They study history chronologically from ancient to modern times, and learn about plants, animals, and the human body.  Since young children love to memorize information and repeat poems, verses, and songs, the Grammar Stage of the Trivium takes advantage of this learning bent in the students by incorporating songs and memorization into the curriculum.  Many of our parents comment that it is so wonderful to hear their children playing at home and singing songs about the books of the Bible, multiplication facts, the countries of the world, events in history, or the bones of the body.  Young children love repetition, and enjoy singing the songs over and over again until they are part of their deep, long-term memories.  Students also begin their study of Latin in 3rd Grade.  Latin is essential to a fundamental understanding of English, history, and the writings of Western civilization.  (For this reason, Latin was taught in American schools through the 1940s.)  Latin is a very systematic language, and trains the mind to think in an orderly fashion.  The study of Latin improves English skills and vocabulary since the grammatical structure of English is based on Latin and over 50% of English words have Latin roots.  Latin also lays an excellent foundation for subsequent study of any of the Romance languages, since they are all based on Latin, as well as future studies in medicine, law, and philosophy, disciplines that draw heavily from Latin.  In summary, the focus of the Grammar Stage is on building a strong foundation and on absorption of knowledge rather than analysis.

Logic Stage (Grade 6 - Grade 8)

Students in the middle grades are ready for the Logic Stage as the capacity for abstract thought begins to mature.  Logic is the skill of correct thinking and conceptual development.  It is the thinking through of similarities, comparisons, and differences in order to induce the correct general conclusions.  The Logic Stage utilizes an early teen’s tendency to contradict and argue to teach reasoning and principle comprehension. The logic of each subject refers to the ordered relationship of that subject’s grammar or rules.  For example, in history, what is the relationship between the Reformation and the colonization of America?  As the students learn the underlying rules or principles of a subject (grammar) along with how the rules of that subject relate to one another (logic), they are learning to think.  During these years students study formal logic and begin to apply logic to all academic subjects.  For example, the logic of reading includes the criticism and analysis of texts.  Students learn how to critically analyze texts and determine whether the author is writing from a Biblical world view or another world view.  They are required to think logically about the content they study in all subject areas, including Literature, History, and Science, and to expose any fallacies that they detect.  During the Logic Stage, a socratic method of teaching is used; our classroom environment fosters inquiry, discussion, and debate, with an emphasis on reason and analysis.  Students learn to think clearly, to analyze, and to synthesize information across subject areas.

Rhetoric Stage (Grade 9 - Grade 12)

The Rhetoric Stage capitalizes on a high school student’s need for self-expression and independence to teach the important skills of applying one’s knowledge of a subject and effectively presenting and communicating that knowledge.  During these years students study classical rhetoric, the art of using language effectively and persuasively, and begin to apply rhetoric to all academic subjects.   An essay in history must be written as clearly as if it were an English paper.  An oral presentation in science should be coherent and engaging.  It is not enough that the history or science be correct.  It must also be expressed in clear, forceful, and elegant language.  We want our students to be able to express everything they learn in a clear and beautiful manner.  Rhetorical training gives students the skills to persuade logically and passionately with integrity, and equips them to not only respond to our culture, but to actively influence it.

Throughout all phases of the Trivium, a Classical Christian education integrates the teaching of all subjects in light of a Christian world view around the revealed word of God as found in the Old and New Testaments. True Christian education is not adding a Bible class or a weekly chapel on top of a "secular" curriculum. The Bible must permeate every subject.  History is "His Story," and shows God's plan for mankind.  Science is the study of God's creation.  Mathematics shows the order of God's world.  Classical Christian education teaches not only Bible details, but Biblical systematic theology.  From that theology, students develop a worldview that applies Biblical concepts to every area of their lives.

It is also important to note that in a Classical education, studies are highly integrated across subject areas.  Bible, History, Literature, and Art studies are most highly integrated.  For example, when our 1st Graders study the history of Ancient Egypt, they also study Genesis and Exodus, and learn how to draw pyramids.  As another example, when our 2nd Graders study the history of Ancient Greece, they read a child's version of The Odyssey and build models of the Parthenon. This integration across subject areas helps the students to more fully understand and appreciate the knowledge they are acquiring.

The modern concept of Classical Christian education was first put forth in the 1940s by British author Dorothy Sayers in her influential essay The Lost Tools of Learning, in which she states:  "For the tools of learning are the same, in any and every subject; and the person who knows how to use them will, at any age, get the mastery of a new subject in half the time and with a quarter of the effort expended by the person who has not the tools at his command."  Classical Christian education is nothing new: it is the philosophy of education used effectively for hundreds of years.  Again, from Dorothy Sayers: "The sole true end of education is simply this; to teach men how to learn for themselves; and whatever instruction fails to do this is effort spent in vain."  Click here for a chart which summarizes the Trivium based on information presented in The Lost Tools of Learning.

Classical Christian education is systematic, comprehensive and highly integrated, in direct contrast to the nature of many school curricula.  Our students work hard, but they also have fun learning.  Our teachers approach their subjects with great joy and our students with great love.  In using the Classical approach, we provide our students an excellent academic education founded on Biblical truth.  We teach them how to learn by giving them the tools of learning.  We strive to help them develop a genuine love for learning and the desire to be life-long learners.  We are committed to helping our students learn to live as vibrant Christians in their various callings, equipped with the knowledge and skills to articulate and defend the Christian message with clarity and conviction.