How does a Classical Christian approach to education compare to others? The chart below gives some specific examples of possible differences.

CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN

  • Christ-centered education

  • Original documents based

  • Education for formation

  • Development of critical thinking – “Why?”

  • Emphasis on the true, good and beautiful

  • Integrated interdisciplinary learning

  • Appreciation of western civilization

  • Latin taught as a core requirement

  • Humanities and fine arts emphasis

  • Requires the student to learn how to learn

  • Mastery as working to one’s fullest potential

  • Lifelong love of learning as the ultimate goal

  • Truth is objective, knowable and absolute

  • Parents as primary educators

MODERN EDUCATION

  • Man-centered education

  • Textbook based

  • Education for information

  • Development of correct procedures –“How?”

  • Emphasis on politically correct

  • Fragmented and disjointed learning

  • Critique of western civilization

  • Latin as an elective

  • Techno-rational emphasis

  • Requires the student to learn how to pass tests

  • Mastery as measured by test grades

  • Graduation as the ultimate goal

  • Self-actualization, personal peace and affluence

  • Teachers as primary educators