Christ Academy Program

Christ Academy’s Program 2023-2024 MISSION Christ Academy’s Mission is to provide classical Christian education that forms students to display the surpassing goodness of Jesus Christ through thoughtful, articulate, beautiful and virtuous lives.

OUR EDUCATIONAL DISTINCTIVES 1. Christ-Centered Integration 2. Virtue Formation 3. Training in the skills of learning, thinking and speaking 4. Active student participation through discussion 5. Reading the Great Books and other rich, time-tested literature 6. Historical Rootedness 7. Emphasis on problem-solving and integrated wholeness in mathematics 8. A mastery approach to science, beginning with wonder and inquiry OUR CLASSICAL APPROACH At Christ Academy, we employ the thinking skills of the Trivium to help students progress from the grammar (concrete/knowledge), to the logic (puzzling/reasoning), to the rhetoric (philosophy/copious outpouring) of each “subject.” By subject we mean the “item to be studied.” We do this through each field of study: humanities, language, mathematics, science, and the arts. Our aim is to guide students into a deep participation with each skill and subject.

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OFFERINGS FOR THE 2023-2024 ACADEMIC YEAR PRIMARY PREP (Grades K-1*) Our primary prep program is geared toward pre-readers and early readers. The curriculum is composed of a rich blend of subjects with an emphasis on building firm foundations. It includes the following: ● Select, age-appropriate literature, folk & fairy tales, nursery rhymes & poems ● Foundations of grammar and literacy ● Using songs, chants, rhythm and rhyme to learn and memorize factual material in geography, math, science, English, Bible, and catechism ● Participating in hands-on science activities ● Memorizing Scripture and poetry regularly ● Oral recitation ● Building number awareness through math talk and concrete hands-on activities ● Reading and being read to ● Creating art and craft projects PRIMARY (Grades 2-5*) Our Primary students build on the foundations laid in Primary Prep. Their experience will emphasize: ● Reading and discussing high quality, age-appropriate literature ● Building writing skill using imitation ● Memorizing Scripture and poetry regularly ● Learning and practicing basic skills of oral presentation ● Participating in science activities covering topics from astronomy to sound to plant growth to density to combustion and more ● Building musical and composer literacy, learning basic music theory, and singing simple yet beautiful music together ● Continuing to build number awareness and math skills using an approach that moves from the concrete to pictorial to abstract and emphasizes mental math ● Using songs, chants, rhythm, and rhyme to learn and memorize factual material in geography, math, science, English, Bible, and catechism ● Observing and discussing great art and creating art of their own

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SECONDARY PREP (Grades 6-8*) Our secondary prep program encompasses a rich blend of subjects with an emphasis on puzzling and reasoning.

Humanities Our integrated Humanities is a 2-hour block class that includes: Literature from and about the Ancient World, plus other rich literature History of the Ancient World Bible & Theology Logic & Grammar Through classical teaching methods and Socratic dialogue, students will begin to understand, develop and practice critical thinking and judicious discernment.

Language Our Introductory Latin students will learn introductory material including vocabulary and grammatical concepts using the “middle method” which leads more quickly to proficiency in speaking, writing and even thinking in the target language.

Mathematics Our Mathematics program places high priority on the skills of observation, inquiry and reasoning.

During the first portion of each class, students at every level will be guided into new skills of discovery and problem-solving as they together engage with challenging real-world problems. The remainder of class time will include instruction and practice from traditional textbooks. These students will study foundational mathematical concepts needed to prepare them for higher maths. (Students who need a different option will be provided with teaching that fits their needs.)

Science Our Science program begins with wonder, integrates math, writing, and history, employs a mastery-learning approach and affirms Jesus Christ as the center of all things. Primary Prep students will study Earth or Physical Science.

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Art & Music Just as God has given the Arts in order to reveal something of himself for our joy, so he calls us in imitation of himself, to develop and deploy our artistic abilities for the sake of others’ delight. Christ Academy’s Fine Arts program offers two days of Choir/Music and two days of Art/Art Appreciation each week.

SECONDARY (Grades 9-12*) Our secondary program encompasses a rich blend of subjects with an emphasis on clear thinking and gracious, persuasive communication.

Humanities Our integrated Humanities is a 2-hour block class that includes: Literature from and about the Ancient World, plus other rich literature History of the Ancient World Bible & Theology Composition & Rhetoric Through classical teaching methods and Socratic dialogue, students will begin to understand, develop and practice critical thinking, judicious discernment, and creative, clear communication, both oral and written.

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Language Our Advanced Latin students will build on the foundations laid in Introductory Latin, increasing their vocabulary and growing in their understanding of grammatical concepts using the “middle method” which leads more quickly to proficiency in speaking, writing and even thinking in the target language.

Mathematics Our Mathematics program places high priority on the skills of observation, inquiry and reasoning.

During the first portion of each class, students at every level will be guided into new skills of discovery and problem-solving as they together engage with challenging real-world problems. The remainder of class time will include instruction and practice from traditional textbooks. This year, students will

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study Geometry. (Students who need a different option will be provided with teaching that fits their needs.)

Science Our Science program begins with wonder, integrates math, writing, and history, employs a mastery-learning approach and affirms Jesus Christ as the center of all things. This year, students will study Biology.

Art & Music Just as God has given the Arts in order to reveal something of himself for our joy, so he calls us in imitation of himself, to develop and deploy our artistic abilities for the sake of others’ delight. Christ Academy’s Fine Arts program offers two days of Choir/Music and two days of Art/Art Appreciation each week. *Students will be placed in the level best-suited to them at the time of admission but may be able to shift depending on their individual needs. This includes students who need acceleration or remedial work in a particular subject but are otherwise at grade level.

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OVERVIEW OF THE SECONDARY (HIGH SCHOOL) YEARS AT CHRIST ACADEMY Humanities (Recommend: 12 credits) 4 years Students will receive a robust humanities instruction through eras of time: Ancient World, Medieval World, Modern World and US History. As students move through these eras of time in history they will read a combination of original sources, historical fiction and great books that embody these eras of time. They will also read large portions of the Bible and books on theology. Literature, History and Theology credits will be received by those who meet their Credit Objectives. Composition & Rhetoric skills are intertwined in this course and students will receive a .25 credit in this field of study annually.

Mathematics (Recommend: 4 credits) 4 years Students will be given a deep understanding of algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Students who choose not to proceed to calculus will be given the option to study statistics or business math.

Science (Recommend: 4 credits) 4 years Students will receive a deep and rigorous study in physical science, chemical science and the biological sciences. We use experiments as foundational to the scientific process of hypothesis and conclusion, fostering curiosity, inquiry, and wonder.

Latin (Recommend: 4 credits) 4 years Students begin their Latin studies at Level 1 and progress through Level 4 or as far as they are able.

Latin allows our students practice in grammar, etymology, mastery of language skills and rich historical context of the language that is foundational to our western world.

Electives (Recommend: 4 credits) 4 years Students will earn 2 Music credits and 1 Art Appreciation credit through Christ Academy in 4 years.

They may obtain other elective credits, such as Physical Education, through our unique Elective Credit Program (see below).

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Senior Thesis In April of a student’s Junior year, he or she will submit a Senior Thesis Proposal to the Education Council. It will be either approved, sent back for revision or denied with resubmission guidelines so the student can begin the project over the summer (prior to their Senior year). The Senior Thesis will be due in April of the proposed graduation year and will be presented to the board and the Education Council. This will be the capstone of our program.

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Understanding Christ Academy Elective Credits Elective Credits Obtained Outside of Christ Academy

Christ Academy promotes a holistic education that holds wonder and work together–an education that brings health and life to the body as well as the soul, and that gives our students the eyes to see the interconnectedness of all of life in a world brimming with God’s good gifts. Earning high school elective credits is one avenue to ensuring an integrated, harmonious, formative and liberating curriculum and thus to developing well-rounded individuals. Christ Academy provides three fine arts credits within its four-day structure but recommends that at least two additional elective credits be obtained outside of the classroom.

The Education Council must pre-approve the request for elective credit. Students will be required to submit materials and a final project at the direction of the Education Council for earned elective credit to be added to the student's transcript.

One physical education credit is needed for college entrance. Two PE credits are needed to earn a Christ Academy Honors Diploma. This credit can be earned through various sports programs or guided physical training. Beyond that, various elective credits such as visual arts, private music lessons or experiential coursework in an area of student interest may be requested for credit acceptance.

1 credit requires 120-180 hours of instructional or directed instruction time. For example: If the football team practices for 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, for 12 weeks, the total instruction time is 60 hours, and a student could earn .5 PE credits. This student may choose to play fall football and spring baseball to earn 1 full PE credit if the total minimum hours are met.

A form for credit approval will be provided so that the Education Council can pre-approve and verify credits. This form must be submitted by Monday, September 18th for pre-approval for 1st semester courses or by Monday, January 22, 2024 for 2nd semester courses, or credit may not be granted. Please contact the Education Council for clarification if needed.

You may request one credit per year through one course of study or up to four courses of study with a combined minimum total of 120 credit hours. Documentation, course work and or/a final project will need to be submitted at the end of the semester.

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DIPLOMAS OFFERED Honors Diploma (must have attended Christ Academy for a minimum of 2 years with prior credits approved) Recognizing the extraordinary and demanding nature of the education at Christ Academy, Honors Diplomas are awarded to students who complete the standard curriculum at the high school level.

Below are the numbers of credits and specific classes that an Honors Diploma requires. ● 4 Credits of Literature ○ Christ Academy or equivalent ● 4 Credits of Theology ○

Christ Academy or equivalent

● 4 Credits of History ○ Christ Academy or equivalent ● 1 Credit of Rhetoric ○ Christ Academy or equivalent ● 4 Credits of Science ○ Biology ○ Chemistry ○ Physics or Human Anatomy ○ General Science or Physical Science ● 4 Credits of Math with Formal Logic Component ○ Algebra I ○ Algebra II ○ Geometry ○ Trigonometry/Calculus or Statistics or business math course ● 4 Credits of Language ○ At least 3 in Latin ● 4 Credits Electives ○ Music ½ credit per year through Christ Academy (2 credits in total) ○ Art ¼ credit per year through Christ Academy (1 credit in total) ○ 2 Physical Education credits (see electives form) ○ Other credits are optional

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Diploma For students transferring into Christ Academy’s high school without the necessary credits to obtain an Honors Diploma or for students with other extenuating circumstances, a full diploma may still be awarded. Christ Academy’s standard diploma requires students to complete the following credits. ● 4 Credits of Literature ○ Christ Academy or equivalent ● 4 Credits of Theology ○

Christ Academy or equivalent

● 4 Credits of History ○ Christ Academy or equivalent ● 4 Credits of Approved Science ● 4 Credits of Approved Math ● 2 Credits of Latin ● 4 Credits Electives ○ Music ½ credit per year through Christ Academy (2 credits in total) ○ Art ¼ credit per year through Christ Academy (1 credit in total) ○ 1 Physical Education Credit (see electives form)

Certificate Some students may transfer in without the foundational credits to receive a full diploma or may have other mitigating factors. In these cases, we offer a certificate signifying the diligence required to complete the following course of study at Christ Academy. ● 2 Credits of Literature or equivalent ● 2 Credits of Theology or equivalent ● 2 Credits of History or equivalent ● 2 Credits of Science ● 2 Credits of Math ● 1 Credit of Language ● 1 Credit of Elective

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