Classical education has a history of over 2500 years in the West. It began in ancient Greece, was adopted wholesale by the Romans, faltered after the fall of Rome, made a slow but steady recovery during the Middle Ages, and was again brought to perfection in the Italian Renaissance. The classical inheritance passed to England, and from the mother country to America through the colonial settlement.

At the time of this nation’s founding, classical education was still thriving. Jefferson heartily recommended Greek and Latin as the languages of study for early adolescence. George Washington was so admired because he reminded his fellow revolutionaries of the Roman patriot Cincinnatus. Cincinnatus was at his plow when word arrived that he had been chosen to lead his country. He took up the supreme command, defeated Rome’s enemies, freed the besieged consul, and returned to his farm, all within 16 days. Washington’s beliefs were much in line with the Roman patriot.

There are at least four reasons why Caprock Academy embraces classical education. You will discover these reasons will separate us a bit from the modern, progressive idea of education.
Classical education:

• Values knowledge for its own sake
• Upholds the standards of correctness, logic, and beauty
• Demands moral virtue of its adherents
• Prepares human beings to assume their places as responsible citizens in the world

While classical education engages a basic three part process, it is important to understand that it also is language-focused. Language requires the mind to work harder. The brain is forced to translate a symbol (words on the page) into a concept. Images, such as those on videos and television, allow the mind to be passive. Faced with the written page, the mind is required to roll up its sleeves and get back to work!
A classical education, then, has two important aspects. It is language-focused and it follows a specific three-part pattern called “The Trivium”.
What is the Trivium?

The Grammar Stage is the first step in receiving a classical education. During the K-3 years, the building blocks for all other learning are laid. Grammar is the foundation for language so Caprock Academy instruction includes a rigorous phonics program called Riggs. Memorization is fun for these children. Our Jr. Great Books Literacy program as well as Singapore Math includes ability groups to move students along at their highest rate possible. Mastery of classwork is foundational in a classical education.
Students learn the facts of history and science, art and music through the Core Knowledge curriculum. They become better writers using the methods of 6 Traits and continue to read unabridged classics. Original documents are used wherever possible to display their beauty and greatness.

By late 4th and on into 5th grade, a child’s mind begins to think more analytically. Middle-school students are less interested in finding out facts than in asking “why?” The second phase of the classical education is called the Logic Stage. It is a time when the child begins to pay attention to cause and effect as well as to the relationship between how different fields of knowledge relate. Abstract thought begins to mature and facts fit together into a more logical framework.

In the final phase of a classical education, the Rhetoric stage builds on the other two. At this point, the student learns to write and speak elegantly. The student also begins to specialize in whatever branch of knowledge attracts them. These are the years to check out the art camps, foreign travel, apprenticeships and other forms of specialized training.
Another strong key for students during this time of their life is to experience the virtues in real life opportunities. Their speech will grow in elegance – not arrogance.