Classical Christian Education
CLASSICAL
Legacy Academy utilizes the proven classical model of education developed by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Refined through the ages and reintroduced in the United States, this method produces true scholars: students who love to learn, think clearly, listen carefully, reason and write persuasively, and speak precisely.
CHRISTIAN
Legacy Academy promotes a distinctly Christian 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 and the tools to influence the world for God’s glory.
PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT
As a private independent school district, Legacy Academy does not accept funding from local, state, or federal governments, or individual religious denominations. Our independence permits us to provide a true classical and Christian educational experience that is pure in mission, vision, and result, and free from outside oversight or influence.
CLASSICAL STRUCTURE
The classical approach to education follows the Trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric), which is the natural way God designed children to learn most effectively.
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 the necessary support required from parents. A classical Christian education requires commitment and hard work from students. Legacy’s curriculum is rigorous and our academic expectations are high. However, meeting this challenge will produce 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, or work given on the assumption that significant quantities of work is equivalent to academic rigor. The information below will provide 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. In this situation, homework may be viewed as punitive, but the design is a practical purpose.
Homework Guidelines
When homework is necessary and when feasible it is reserved for Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. 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.
Kindergarten 10 minutes
1st Grade 20 minutes
2nd grade 30 minutes
3rd grade 40 minutes
4th grade 50 minutes
5th grade 60 minutes
* Times are approximate
When homework is assigned teachers are instructed to avoid giving busy work and they closely monitor their students’ homework load. Homework is generally due the following school day and points will be deducted for homework not returned on time. It is Legacy’s expectation that homework is the student’s own work and that it is done to the best of the student’s ability. We see the parent’s role as supportive, and supervisory if necessary. The school invites parents to provide feedback about homework loads, so that we can get a “parents’ eye view” of the impact of particular assignments or requirements. Teachers and administrators are always ready to communicate with parents and hear their concerns.