As a Classical school Charis follows the Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric progression of education that mirrors a child’s development.

In the Grammar stage the focus is on learning facts. Students learn phonics and work towards mastery of elementary math concepts and problems.

Students utilize Spell to Read and Write for their reading and spelling instruction, Singapore for their math, Handwriting Without Tears for both print and cursive instruction, First Language Lessons for their grammar instruction, Classical Academic Press’s Writing & Rhetoric for their writing, and Susan Wise Bauer’s Story of the World for their history. Students begin their study of Latin using Classical Academic Press’s Latin for Children series in the upper Grammar grades. Science is studied around nature study wherein students practice detailed observation and their curiosity is encouraged through by helping them to learn how to ask the right questions and directing them to resources so that they can further explore things that interest them. Students read a number of good books to prepare them for the Great Books they will read when they are older. Books that our Grammar students read include Aesop’s Fables, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Carry on Mr. Bowditch. In their literature classes and across other subjects students also learn and practice the Art of Narration.

In the Logic stage the focus is on thinking clearly. In addition to taking an introductory logic class, students are challenged in their other classes to ask challenging questions, to weigh evidence, to make arguments and the find the weaknesses in their arguments, and to engage in profitable debate.

Students continue to utilize Classical Academic Press’s Writing & Rhetoric for their writing; as they continue to study Latin they transition to Wheelock’s Latin. Students utilize Novare for their science classes, covering both Physical Science and Earth Science in 7^th and 8^th grades respectively. In math they transition to Holt McDougal beginning with pre-algebra in 7^th grade. Dorothy Mills’s history books are combined with primary sources as students focus on Greece and the early Middle Ages. In literature students begin to read the Great Books as they cover The Epic of Gilgamesh, Beowulf, and Homer’s Odyssey during these years.

In the Rhetoric stage students focus on effective communication . They learn how to speak and write clearly, persuasively, and winsomely.

Students continue to utilize Classical Academic Press’s Writing & Rhetoric as they study formal rhetoric, debate, and eventually write and present a thesis to our school community. Students conclude their Latin studies with the option to take classes on Caesar’s Gallic Wars and Virgil’s Aeneid; additionally, three years of French are offered during these years. Students continue to utilized Novare in science as they study Biology, Physics, Chemistry, and Anatomy and Physiology. Likewise students continue to use Holt McDougal as they study Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. In history and literature focus spend two years studying modern US and world history and literature wherein they read works like The Federalist Papers, The Scarlett Letter, A Tale of Two Cities, and Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment. While studying Roman history and Medieval history and thought they read the Aeneid, Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy, Augustine’s Confessions, and a selection of Plato’s dialogues. Additionally, art and music classes are offered for all students and theatre is offered for students in grades 7^th and up. Taken together, our curriculum helps our students to develop deep content knowledge, clear and logical thinking, and the ability to communicate themselves winsomely and persuasively. *For more details about our curriculum, please contact us.