Academics

Classical Christian Education

DEFINITION
Classical Christian education is a time-tested educational system which establishes a biblical worldview (called Paideia in biblical Greek), incorporates methods based on natural phases of child development, cultivates the seven Christian virtues, trains students in reasoning through the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric), and engages children in “the great conversation” through the historical Great Books.

CHRISTIAN
Legacy Academy promotes a distinctly Christian and, thus, biblical worldview. We present all subjects as defined by Christian truth and lead students to evaluate all human knowledge and experience in light of the Scriptures. Our graduates will possess a deep understanding of their world, the ability to discern truth from the pattern of the world, and the tools to influence the world for God’s glory.

CLASSICAL 
This proven classical model of education has been refined through the ages and reintroduced in the United States. The classical approach to education trains students in reasoning through the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric), which is the natural way God designed children to learn most effectively, cultivates the seven Christian virtues, and engages children in “the great conversation” through the historical Great Books. This method produces true independent thinkers who recognize the truth, goodness, and beauty in Christ first and His world second.

PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT
As a private independent school district, Legacy Academy does not accept funding from federal governments. Our political and denominational independence permits us to provide a true classical and Christian educational experience that is pure in mission and results, and free from outside oversight or influence.

GRAMMAR-LOGIC-RHETORIC

Learning at Legacy captures the potential in every season of development. 

Grammar Phase (K-5)
Grammar is the foundation that all other learning is built upon.  In the grammar phase recitation helps students memorize facts and basic knowledge creating a very solid educational foundation.  In the grammar phase students love to memorize songs and chants and they can do it with ease.   

Logic Phase (6-8)
At the middle school age students become argumentative, they love to argue.  They become opinionated, they start really thinking for themselves, and they love to ask why.  The Classical approach takes advantage of this.  During this phase students take classes in Logic, and they are taught how to think and how to argue well, with love and respect.  In the Logic phase students are taught to form strong, well-reasoned arguments.

Rhetoric Phase (9-12)
In the rhetoric phase students are taught to write and to speak well.  Students will be taught to debate, to persuade others, and to communicate effectively.  Throughout their senior year students will prepare and present a senior thesis which will be the capstone of the student’s education at Legacy.

See Parent Information for more information on Classical Christian Education. View Memoria's Press Scope and Sequence.

HOMEWORK PHILOSOPHY

Legacy is committed to partnering with parents in every aspect of their child's education. Legacy is thus dedicated to a thoughtful understanding of what work students complete outside of class, why they do it, and any support required from parents. A classical Christian education requires commitment and hard work from students. Legacy’s curriculum is rigorous; however, meeting this challenge produces a disciplined scholar who will be ready to impact the world. This is a reward that will last a lifetime! Parents should understand that homework is not assigned for the sake of simply doing more, nor work given on the assumption that significant quantities is equivalent to academic rigor. The information below provides parents with a basic understanding of why homework is necessary:

• Students often need extra practice with new concepts, skills, or facts. In certain subjects (e.g., math and Latin), there is simply not enough time in a school day to do as much practice as may be necessary for mastery. Therefore, after reasonable in-class time is spent on material, the teacher may assign homework to allow for additional practice.
• There are some assignments that cannot be completed in class, but are essential to the progression of the curriculum. For example, writing a paper or reading the next chapter of a book which will be discussed in the class the next day.
• Other examples of work that may need to be done outside of class include studying for tests, memorization work, reviewing notes, reading of literature, projects and research.
• Research clearly shows that repeated, short periods of practice or study of new information is a better way to learn than one long period of study.
• Students are expected to make good use of their time at school for learning. Homework may also be assigned to students who, having been given adequate time to complete an assignment in class, did not use the time wisely. 

Homework for School of Grammar (K-5)
When homework is necessary and feasible, it is reserved for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We feel that this weekly routine assists parents in planning their daily schedules and ensuring a healthy amount of family time at home. To give parents an idea of the amount of homework to expect, Legacy uses the 10 minutes per grade method for K-2 and 5 minutes per grade for 3-5.

Kindergarten — 10 minutes
1st Grade — 20 minutes
2nd grade — 30 minutes
3rd grade — 35 minutes
4th grade — 40 minutes
5th grade — 45 minutes

*These are approximations based on the majority of weeks, with homework only on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursdays

Homework for School of Logic (6-8)
We still reserve homework for Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday! But, for School of Logic, weekends offer an opportunity for 15-20 minutes of math review and any catching up or getting ahead that might be necessary. Again, we feel that this weekly routine assists parents in planning their daily schedules and ensuring a healthy amount of family time at home. To give parents an idea of the amount of homework to expect, here is a general rule for 6-8 grades:

6th-8th Grades — 45 minutes to 1 hour

*These are approximations based on the majority of weeks, with homework only on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Weekends offer an opportunity for 15-20 minutes of math review and any catching up or getting ahead that might be necessary.