Guiding Principles and Methodology

Guiding Pricinciples

At Charis Classical Academy, we seek to combine elements of a classical education, a christian worldview, and the flexibility of hybrid learning. By partnering with parents, we seek to provide students with an academically-excellent education that combines the beauty of homeschooling with the structure and order of a traditional Christian classroom.  Our desire is that the biblical worldview that permeates our courses, along with our training in character and virtue will reinforce the discipleship already occurring in the homes and local churches of our families.  From classroom instruction to curriculum choices, we make every decision in alignment with our core values, ensuring each aspect fits into this classical christian model.

A Christ-Centered Education

The Bible is central to all aspects of learning. Every subject is taught from a Christian worldview, integrating faith and learning.

We want to encourage spiritual growth through prayer, worship, and the study of Scripture, shaping students into Christ-like leaders. We seek to come alongside families and their local church in the discipleship of their children.

Classical Education

Trivium Structure:  Each stage builds on the previous, emphasizing foundational knowledge, critical thinking, and effective communication.

3 Stages of Classical Learning:

Grammar (PK-4th)

Logic (5th-8th)

Rhetoric (9th-12th)

By using great books from throughout history, we introduce students to the great works of literature, philosophy, history, and science, promoting intellectual rigor and moral character. Our hope is for our students to be able to identify the good, the true, and the beautiful in all that is around us. We also seek to engage students in dialogue and inquiry, encouraging deep thinking and the pursuit of truth.

Hybrid Learning Model:

Our 2-3 day/week in-class schedule combines in-person classroom instruction with at-home learning. This allows families to take a more active role in their children’s education while still benefiting from professional teaching. Parents are considered co-teachers and are actively involved in the educational process. This partnership is key to the success of the hybrid model.

Community and Character Development:

We seek to foster a strong sense of community among students, families, and teachers, rooted in shared Christian values and mutual respect. We want to emphasize the importance of serving others, both within the school community and beyond, as an expression of Christian love and character. Our desire is to teach students to discern right from wrong, encouraging them to live out their faith in all areas of life.

Methodology

Curriculum

Leadership and teachers work together to find the best curriculum that weaves Christian doctrine and Biblical truth into every subject, from history to science to literature. Each part of the curriculum is prayerfully selected in order to ensure an academically rich education that serves our hybrid classical model well. We seek to align the curriculum with the stages of the trivium, ensuring that each level of learning builds logically on the previous one. Part of a classical education involves using original sources and classical texts as primary materials, allowing students to engage directly with the great ideas and thinkers of the past.

Curriculum is reevaluated every year to ensure that each piece meets the standards set by Charis Classical Academy.

Instructional Practices

Instruction: Teachers lead students through the material while encouraging critical thinking and discussion, balancing direct teaching with interactive discussions. 

Hands-On Learning: Teachers instruct through hands-on learning by incorporating projects, experiments, and other hands-on activities that bring abstract concepts to life.

Assessment: Teachers use a variety of assessment methods, including oral presentations, written essays, and formal exams, to evaluate student progress. Assessments should focus on understanding, not just memorization.