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What is Classical Education

At Caprock Academy, we believe education should do more than help students pass tests—it should help them grow into thoughtful, capable, and principled individuals. That’s why we offer a classical education: a time-tested approach that teaches students how to think, not just what to think.

Rather than focusing on trends or shortcuts, classical education equips students with the tools to become lifelong learners and strong communicators. It emphasizes truth, beauty, and goodness—values that shape both the mind and the character. Through this method, students learn to think critically, speak clearly, reason logically, and write persuasively—skills that serve them well in every area of life.

Classical education follows a three-part approach, known as the Trivium, which mirrors how children naturally grow and learn:

  • In the early years, children are eager to absorb facts and build knowledge—so we teach them the fundamentals across all subject areas.

  • As they mature, they begin to question, connect ideas, and seek understanding—so we teach them how to think through problems and analyze information.

  • As young adults, they’re ready to express themselves and lead—so we teach them how to speak and write with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

This thoughtful, structured approach ensures that students aren’t just learning content—they’re learning how to learn, how to think deeply, and how to become leaders who act with wisdom and integrity.  We invite you to learn more below.

 

n the final stage of classical education, students begin to develop their own voice. The Rhetoric Stage focuses on clear and persuasive communication—both in writing and speaking. Students learn how to express ideas thoughtfully, debate respectfully, and present arguments backed by evidence and logic.

They read and discuss great works of literature, study advanced subjects, and participate in public speaking, essays, and Socratic discussions. This stage shapes confident, articulate young adults who are prepared to lead, serve, and engage with the world around them.

Character Education & Core Virtues

At Caprock Academy, we believe that education is not only about preparing students for academic success—it’s about preparing them for life. That’s why character development is woven into everything we do.

Character education is the intentional effort to guide students in developing both ethical values (recognizing what is right) and performance values (doing what is right). These include traits such as honesty, diligence, responsibility, respect, fairness, fortitude, compassion, and critical thinking. These are the qualities that shape students into capable, confident, and principled individuals.

Strong character lays the foundation for strong communities. Through character education, students learn how to be responsible citizens, how to treat others with respect, and how to hold themselves to high standards in both academics and life. It also helps create a school environment where everyone—students and teachers alike—feels valued, supported, and empowered to do their best.

One of the primary tools we use to support this mission is the Core Virtues program—a literature-based approach that brings character to life through stories, discussion, and reflection. Each month, a new virtue is introduced and explored in the classroom. Students not only learn about the virtue, but are also encouraged to practice and recognize it in themselves and others.

The Core Virtues program follows a three-year cycle, ensuring students revisit and deepen their understanding of each virtue over time. For the 2025–2026 school year, we are following the Year 1 Cycle.

Below, you’ll find the list of virtues we are focusing on this year—part of our larger commitment to shaping minds and hearts through education rooted in purpose.

To learn more about these core virtues, please visit the Core Virtue page.

Love and Logic® at Caprock Academy

Fostering Responsibility Through Compassionate Discipline

Our commitment to character development is woven into every aspect of a student’s experience—including how we guide behavior and cultivate responsibility. As part of our approach, we incorporate the principles of Love and Logic®, a research-based philosophy that promotes healthy teacher-student relationships while encouraging students to grow in self-discipline, ownership, and decision-making.

Grounded in both firmness and empathy, the Love and Logic® model aligns naturally with our classical education framework. It seeks to develop students who are not only intellectually prepared, but also morally grounded and personally accountable.

Through Love and Logic®:

  • Students are taught to accept responsibility for their actions

  • Logical consequences are used to help students learn from their mistakes

  • Teachers maintain authority while preserving student dignity

  • Respectful boundaries are set with compassion and consistency

  • Emotional resilience, problem-solving, and independent thinking are encouraged

This approach allows us to uphold high behavioral standards in a way that supports students’ growth in virtue. Our classrooms remain structured and orderly, while students learn the long-term value of integrity, respect, and wise choices.

Love and Logic® is one of the many tools we use to create an environment where students are free to learn, safe to express themselves appropriately, and held to high expectations that prepare them for a life of purpose and responsibility.

Classroom Curriculum

Core Knowledge

Grades K–8

The idea behind the Core Knowledge Sequence is simple and powerful: knowledge builds on knowledge. For the sake of academic excellence, greater equity, and higher literacy, Core Knowledge provides a grade-by-grade curriculum that is coherent, cumulative, and content-specific. This strong academic foundation ensures that students build background knowledge across subjects—preparing them for more advanced learning with confidence.

Singapore Math

Grades K–6

Unlike traditional U.S. math programs, Singapore Math teaches students to understand "the why before the how." This approach emphasizes conceptual understanding, number sense, and problem-solving, rather than rote memorization. Students progress through concrete, visual, and abstract stages—mastering core concepts like fractions, multi-step word problems, and mental math. By the end of the sequence, they are fully prepared for pre-algebra and beyond.

Orton-Gillingham

Grades K–4

The Orton-Gillingham Approach is a structured, sequential, and multisensory method designed to build confident readers and writers. It is especially effective for students with dyslexia or language-based learning differences. This approach helps students understand how and why language works by combining visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic learning strategies. Students are taught to decode and encode words through direct, hands-on instruction—strengthening both their reading fluency and comprehension.

Shurley English

Grades K–6

Shurley English offers a structured and systematic approach to language arts that helps students build a strong foundation in grammar, writing, and reading. This program uses concrete, multi-sensory strategies to make abstract concepts clear and accessible for all types of learners.  Through carefully sequenced lessons, students move step-by-step from understanding sentence structure to crafting well-written paragraphs and essays. Shurley English connects grammar, writing, and speaking—giving students the tools to express themselves with clarity and confidence.

Key elements of the program include:

  • Clear grammar instruction using jingles and repetition

  • Step-by-step writing guidance, from sentences to full essays

  • Connections between spoken and written language

  • A logical, cumulative format that reinforces skills over time

In the early levels (Grades 1–2), Shurley English helps students crack the reading code through phonics-based strategies, connecting letters, sounds, and word building for strong early literacy.

Step Up to Writing

Grades K–8

Step Up to Writing is a structured, research-based program that teaches students how to organize their thoughts and express them clearly in writing. Used across all subjects, it helps students develop strong writing habits beginning in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Key elements of the program include:

  • Focus on clear paragraph structure, including topic sentences, transitions, and conclusions

  • Practical tools such as color-coded organizers to guide students step by step

  • Emphasis on writing across the curriculum, not just in language arts

At Caprock Academy, we believe writing is foundational to thinking. Step Up to Writing strengthens students’ ability to communicate effectively and prepares them for success in all academic areas.