The term “classical” is gaining popularity in the educational realm. What do we mean by classical? In one sense, we mean “traditional” in the sense that we look back into history to gain insight regarding the curriculum, model, and methods of education. We use the word “classical” as opposed to “modern.” We reject modern educational philosophies that are heavily influenced by evolution, John Dewey, and arbitrary government standards. As a Christian school in particular, we are looking to gain insight from our Christian history and culture. This means an emphasis on books—books written by the Christian men and women who have gone before us. The great books of history, philosophy, theology, politics, culture, arts, and more. Books allow us a glimpse into the past but also help us navigate the future. Finally, when we say classical we intend to emphasize the liberal arts—with particular emphasis on the trivium of grammar, logic, and rhetoric. We want our students to read well, think well, and speak well. For more information, check out this video series.

Education under the Lordship of Christ. Many schools have the term “Christian” in their name. Weekly chapel and a Bible class is not what we mean when we say “Christian.” CCA of Augusta will integrate the Christian worldview across all subjects. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7). Take chemistry, for example. What holds atoms together? What is responsible for chemical bonds? “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. . . . All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together” Colossians 1:16–17. We desire to teach each subject integrating them fully into the larger Christian, biblical worldview.

There is value in repetition and memorization. We catechize our children in the faith. Young children are sponges. Their capacity for memorization is impressive. In classical education, the grammar stage is when kids naturally acquire & remember knowledge, facts, information. Grammar is the foundation of all learning; it's the building block of all types of written and verbal expression. We see the value of memorization. However, our goal is much loftier than memorization. Our goal is for our students to be critical thinkers. To be truly educated is more than just the regurgitation of facts. It is more than “teaching to the test.” We desire to build a love for learning. The goal is not a standardized test score or for our students to gain entrance to the best colleges. CCA of Augusta will equip students with the tools of learning. We aim to make intelligent, wise men and women who know how to think.

Charlotte Mason was an educational reformer and philosopher in England during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She emphasized the personhood of children, reading, narration, nature, and play. This is in contrast to the modern educational system that sees the child as a “solid, dependable, and inert space-filler in school and, later, a block of the great state pyramid” (Ten Ways to Destroy the Imagination of Your Child. by Anthony Esolen).

Our Favorite Charlotte Mason Quotes:

“This idea of all education springing from and resting upon our relation to Almighty God-we do not merely give a religious education because that would seem to imply the possibility of some other education, a secular education, for example. But we hold that all education is divine, that every good gift of knowledge and insight comes from above, that the Lord the Holy Spirit is the supreme educator of mankind, and that the culmination of all education (which may at the same time be reached by a little child) is that personal knowledge of and intimacy with God in which our being finds its fullest perfection.”

“Thought breeds thought; children familiar with great thoughts take as naturally to thinking for themselves as the well-nourished body takes to growing; and we must bear in mind that growth, physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, is the sole end of education.”

“To bring the human race, family by family, child by child, out of the savage and inhuman desolation where He is not, into the light and warmth and comfort of the presence of God, is, no doubt, the chief thing we have to do in the world.”

We strive for excellence in all things, including academics. Because children are made in the image of God, we know their capacity for learning is much higher than most give them credit for. Our faculty and staff will aim to “talk up” to our students in an effort to continuously bring them up to to the next level in academics and intellect.

“Strengthening families and communities, and thickening our ties to each other and to our churches, requires us to shake off our passivity…we cannot be laissez-fair about the ties that bind us to each other. With so many forces in contemporary culture pulling families and communities apart we can’t assume that everything will work out if we just go with the flow.”—Rod Dreher.

The culture in which our children grow up will remain with them the rest of their lives. CCA strives to encourage deep community among like-minded families. A community that not only cares for one another, but also extends the love of Christ to our neighbors, friends, and even strangers.