Curriculum

We teach a Classical curriculum that gives students thorough and rigorous grounding in all of the essential subjects as well as exposure to the traditional subjects of a liberal arts education.

We expect students to do very hard things.

They practice hard things every day so they trust their strength.

  • Singapore: Primary Mathematics appropriate to the student’s level

  • Well-Trained Mind’s Writing with Ease. This series is a natural fit for small classrooms as it utilizes a Charlotte-Mason-style interactive approach. For each selection from Classical literature, the student must listen, comprehend, and narrate his understanding. Grammar is rigorously taught and tested with varying exercises. Sentence diagraming is employed in the upper elementary to reinforce grammar understanding and prepare students who wish to pursue Latin.

  • Our booklist for upper elementary includes:

    • Phantom Tollbooth

    • Swiss Family Robinson

    • Treasure Island

    • A Swinger of Birches: Poems of Robert Frost for Young People

    • Heidi

    • Number the Stars

    • A Wrinkle in Time

    • The Whipping Boy

    • Redwall

    • The Secret Garden

    • Where the Red Fern Grows

    • The Tale of Despereaux

    • Anne of Green Gables

    • The Door in the Wall

  • Science includes exploration of the natural world around us, including plants, animals, land and water masses, and space. Whenever possible, labs and Charlotte-Mason style texts are implemented.

  • We employ Charlotte Mason methods for History. This year, all students will study American History.

  • Geography studies include the types of land forms and bodies of water, placement and names of Continents, how to read and make maps, and the 50 states and their capitals.

  • Students will receive lessons in art history that include important historical works. Students also learn basic fine art techniques in drawing and watercolor.

  • Field trips, longer labs/experiments, extended art projects, and other special events are completed on Fridays as needed.

    Students will have the opportunity to plan and implement their own showcase of knowledge for their parents. This is done with minimal parent/teacher activity and minimal direction so students can become more independent and confident in their decisions. Allowing them to decide the content of the event promotes their confidence in performing rather than being forced to display something they do not fully endorse.

  • Students have access to various extra-curricular activities in the afternoons in addition to those they pursue on their own. The school is working to facilitate/organize the following activities and families pay for them directly:

    Physical Education classes at KTR Mesa and run by their staff

    Fine Art lessons

    Pietra Lessons (https://www.pietrafitness.com/pietra-kids)

    Photography Lessons