Classical Education Embraces The Concept Of Educating The Whole Child And The Notion That Children Are More Than Their Standardized Test Scores.
At its root, classical education synthesizes character and academic education in order to lead students to develop inquisitive minds, civic virtue, and an appreciation of what is true, good, and beautiful. It is not the goal of classical education to tell students what to think but rather teach them how to think by using the ancient tried and true methods of logic, rhetoric, and dialectical dialogue.
A classical education delivers real content. Students learn about historical events, characters, stories, fables, myths, scientific facts, and mathematical proofs. They read whole literary works in great depth, and they learn to approach books both with moderation to learn and courage to question.
A classical classroom prioritizes the authority of the teacher, and therewith their expertise and responsibility to deliver it to students. Students are not the passive recipients of knowledge, but active participants in the discussion, incorporating the Socratic method of engaging dialogue between the student and the teacher.
Regardless of backgrounds, experiences, economic status or other variables that create uniqueness among students, all are part of a shared community of learning. With a classical education, students experience true well-roundedness where their education grows both the mind and character to prepare them for a life of learning and virtuous citizenship in a free society.