Heritage CSC offers group tutorials in the classical liberal arts curriculum. Students and their families are involved in the study of the classical languages (Latin and Greek), history, literature, logic, philosophy, government, economics, and rhetoric (speaking and writing). Through the course of their studies, students are exposed to the great books (usually in their entirety) as well as the art, music, people and culture of Western Civilization.
At the core of Heritage is the trivium. This is the classical teaching methodology that tailors the curriculum to the child's cognitive development, building on the abilities unique to each age group. In the early years, the trivium builds upon the ability of elementary age students to memorize facts - the language of subjects. This is the Grammar stage. The next stage is the Dialectic stage, which uses the questioning nature of the middle school years to enable students to find answers to the how and why. The Dialectic stage develops analytical skills. Students master logic and critical thinking and learn to identify the relationships between the facts of various disciplines. The final stage of the classical curriculum is Rhetoric. This stage emphasizes abstract thinking and the ability to articulate and express thoughts and ideas. Throughout the curriculum, students are equipped with the facts, skills, and abilities to develop and live out a Biblical world and life view as they stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before them.
The course of study at Heritage is very rigorous. It usually takes new students some time to adjust to managing their time and to handling the academic demands of our curriculum. This is especially true for students who enroll for the first time in high school. For too long Christians have tended toward anti-intellectual attitudes. At Heritage we are working to help reverse that trend. We are not alone, however. Click here to read an article by John Piper about the value of rigorous academic training.
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