TENETS OF A CLASSICAL EDUCATION
The classical model of education introduces students to transcendental realities reflecting Truth, Beauty, and Goodness. Though secular classical schools may give a nod in this direction, it is only in the context of considering God as the source and summit of all that is true, good and beautiful, that one can achieve an authentic interpretation and valuing of man and of all reality.
One cannot omit Christ without consequence to one’s studies and life.
intellectual formation
Donahue Academy employs the classical model of education, which seeks to form students in and through curricula and culture that introduce them to: (1) an integrated and ordered reflection on transcendental realities reflecting truth, beauty, and goodness; (2) a sense of wonder at the cause of things and, thus, the First Cause of knowable and unknowable realities; (3) essential truths, especially those reflecting the dignity of the human person. To achieve this goal, the classical curriculum focuses on the acquisition of knowledge through reading original texts and classics, and it presents various academic disciplines in a sequence that corresponds to a pupil’s maturing ability to think abstractly and is developmentally appropriate through the Trivium.
1
TRANSMISSION
AND INTEGRATION
OF KNOWLEDGE
A classical education has as its goal not only the transmission of knowledge, but also the integration and synthesis of complex ideas.
2
LEARNING FROM
ORIGINAL SOURCES
A classical education focuses on the acquisition of knowledge through reading by using original texts and classics whenever possible.
3
DEVELOPMENTALLY
AND AGE-APPROPRIATE SEQUENCE
A classical education presents various academic disciplines in a sequence corresponding to a pupil’s developing ability to think abstractly.
4
QUEST FOR ESSENTIAL
AND TRANSCENDENTAL TRUTHS
A classical education probes beyond individual academic disciplines; it seeks essential truths, especially about human dignity, that transcend them all.
5
CULTIVATES LIFELONG WONDER AND SELF-REGULATION
A classical education develops a sense of wonder and a love for learning. Along the way, it forms self-motivated and self-correcting learners.
THE TRIVIUM
The trivium trains students’ minds for lifelong learning.
The classical model encompasses three stages: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric.
GRAMMAR
ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE BY ASKING “WHAT”
The Grammar Stage spans Grades Pre-K to 5 and focuses on laying a foundation of facts, basic building blocks, and fundamental rules that inform a subject, matter, or exercise. Here, students learn how to learn: what behavior and conduct are expected, and what it means to be involved intellectually with a subject. Memorization and observation, both of which come naturally and delightfully at this stage, are maximized.
LOGIC
DEVELOPING UNDERSTANDING BY ASKING “HOW”
The Logic Stage spans Grades 6 to 8 and focuses on the ability to ask the right questions, dispute logically, and link increasingly complex ideas. Students learn to categorize, organize, and integrate information gathered in the Grammar Stage. They explore basic cause and effect relationships, how basic parts and skills relate to each other, and how different disciplines build upon and relate to each other. Independent thinking and argumentativeness, which come naturally at this stage, are harnessed.
RHETORIC
GROWING IN WISDOM BY ASKING “WHY”
The Rhetoric Stage spans Grades 9 to 12 and focuses on advanced reasoning and graceful self-expression. The Rhetoric Stage combines literature and history into a humanities block taught in a Socratic dialogue format. Theology, built on Catholic doctrine and spiritual classics, is also undertaken in seminar format. Students also advance their mathematical, scientific, and language skills and step into a life of authentic freedom and wisdom as they advance to college and beyond.
resourceS
Curriculum Guide
See the Curriculum Guide for a closer look at Donahue Academy’s whole-person formation opportunities.
College Prep Guide
See how our college preparation process helps students embrace their unique mission in the world.
CLASSICAL CLUBS
Donahue Academy’s Classical Clubs provide ongoing practical and academic opportunities for our students to apply what they learn in the classroom across trivium Stages and subject areas.
Model UN club
Donahue Academy Model United Nations program is open to Rhetoric Stage students. Students meet weekly to consider global issues from a Catholic perspective. The program features an annual competition styled as a UN delegate simulation, which strengthens their public speaking skills. The Model UN’s public debate, position paper composition, and intellectual appeal to first principles fit perfectly into the Rhetoric Stage of learning.
National Honor Society
The National Honor Society (NHS) draws its membership from students with demonstrated outstanding scholarship, service, leadership and character. It’s no surprise, then, that many Donahue Academy students have been inducted into it. NHS members also take the lead in organizing school-wide fundraisers, such as the canned food drive in November, as part of established service projects.
Robotics
Robotics is a competitive club with teams at the Logic and Rhetoric levels. Our students design and program robots to compete in different tasks against other schools’ robots.
Scholar Bowl
The Scholar Bowl is an intramural, competitive club with teams at the Logic and Rhetoric stages. Students compete against teams from other schools to answer questions on topics as diverse as math, science, language, social studies, current events and fine arts.
