Why Classical Education?
Tools for Success: Classical Education at VCCA
Jesus once blamed the lawyer of His day for “taking away the keys to knowledge.” He said that they had so blurred the meanings of words that they had, in effect, blocked the access of common people to learning. The accumulation and retention of knowledge, as well as the ability to use it appropriately for the benefit of one’s self and one’s community, depends largely upon how well we learn certain kinds of fundamental skills. For hundreds of years, those skills were taught in the earliest years of life. It was assumed that a child would first learn how to learn. After gaining these “keys”, the child could easily acquire whatever specific knowledge he or she cared to.
The aim of a classical Christian education is to give children the basic tools of learning. As they learn a fundamental knowledge of Latin, for example, they will gain the linguistic foundation necessary to learn most European languages, including a powerful grasp of the English language. They can learn Spanish, the language of our largest American minority group and of most of the countries of this hemisphere, with relative ease. As they learn the basics of grammar and rhetoric, they learn what it takes to acquire a deep knowledge of any subject as well as knowledge of how to communicate what they know to others. A classically educated child can go on to excel in the rest of their life because they have attained the keys to knowledge.
A classical education is a benefit to any child. Perhaps the ones who profit the most, however, are those whose families, for whatever reason, have not had a strong background in education. In educated and wealthy families, children often pick up bits and pieces of Western civilization and thus learn to be at ease with the protocol and language that opens the doors of opportunity as they move through life. Children of the less affluent classes many times stumble through school and then through menial employment opportunities because they simply do not have the opportunity to pick up on the subtle phrases and mannerisms that separate those who are successful and those who are not. Classical education gives the keys of knowledge to everyone, regardless of background and class. A classically educated child knows how to unlock the doors of society.
Valley Classical Christian Academy chose a classical format because the leadership agreed that this was what a Christian education truly was. A Christian education is not one that hides children away from the world and shelters them from reality, teaching children to be afraid and hostile to the community in which they live. A real Christian Education gives children the tools to view all their experiences of life through the lens of the teachings of Christ and His people. They learn how to articulate their beliefs with confidence, kindness, and integrity.
A true Christian education teaches a child to retain the sense of wonder and awe of God and the marvelous world He has made. It teaches a child to honor all peoples. It teaches a child how to learn. A real Christian education teaches a child that he or she is unique, created for a specific calling in life that will become clearer as time goes on. For that reason, a classical education at the elementary and middle school levels is a preparation for life that points a person toward a vocation (Latin for “a calling”) instead of toward an occupation (“labor”).
Why classical Christian Education? Because it is built on a foundation that is deeply consistent with the things Jesus taught. It teaches us to become a blessing so that we may bless others. It teaches that everyone should have the same opportunities to make it in life. It teaches honor and dignity for all human beings. It teaches us how to acquire the knowledge of the past and how to build new knowledge upon that foundation.
In short - VCCA chose to become a classical Christian school because that approach actually gives children an education.
Valley Classical Christian Academy offers infants through 8th grade. We invite you to investigate our school and the excellent education that we have to offer the Christian community. You may call the office for a private tour during our regular school hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, at 602-955-5959. We are currently enrolling students for our 2005 - 2006 school year and would love to hear from you.
