Association of Classical and Christian Schools
Encyclopedia
The Association of Classical & Christian Schools (ACCS) is an organization founded in 1994 to encourage the formation of Christian
schools using a model of classical education
. The association's website lists over 200 members schools.
The classical Christian education
movement was launched by the publication in 1991 of a book entitled Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson
Wilson was also the founder of one of the first classical Christian schools in Moscow, Idaho
, Logos School. The classical Christian education movement has also been influenced by Norms and Nobility by David V. Hicks as well as the CiRCE Institute, founded by Andrew Kern, which exists to promote classical Christian education.
. In this article she derided modern education methods and called for a return to the ancient classical trivium.
The trivium, which formed the heart of the Medieval curriculum, consisted of three phases of learning: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. These she said were the 'lost tools of learning,' which are essential to the mastery of any subject. The tools of the trivium equip the student for a lifetime of self-education. They include critical thinking and communication skills.
According to Sayers, the "grammar" of any subject consists of the basic facts, definitions and principles—the building blocks on which the subject is constructed. Utilizing techniques of dialectic, the learner integrates the facts into a mature understanding of the subject. These techniques include the tools of formal logic. Finally, during the rhetoric phase, the learner applies his understanding of the material in real world application. This often takes the form of written or verbal communication.
Sayers also applied the trivium idea to the three stages of child development. These she labeled "poll-parrot," "pert," and "poetic." In the "poll-parrot" stage—early childhood through about 6th grade—the child is able to absorb and parrot-back prodigious amounts of factual material. A good time for memorizing the details of Latin.
In the "pert" stage—the middle years—children typically began to challenge, talk-back, question authority. Sayers encouraged the teaching of formal logic at this point to channel natural inquisitiveness. As the adolescent matures to young-adulthood a strong desire for self-expression takes over as the child enters the poetic stage. This is the best time to polish the writing skills and the speaking skills, including declamation and debate.
Some have made the case that the trivium is a biblical methodology, pointing to passages such as Proverbs chapter two for proof. This passage speaks of "knowledge", "understanding", and "wisdom". These are held to correspond to the grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric phases of the trivium.
There are three types of members accepted into the Association of Classical and Christian Schools:
Regular Members. These are local campus schools whose founding members have signed a statement of commitment to the trivium and to an evangelical statement of faith.
Accredited Members. These are regular member schools who have met rigorous ACCS accreditation requirements.
Business Members. These are members other than the above whose general purpose is to supply regular members with various educational services.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
schools using a model of classical education
Classical education movement
The Classical education movement advocates a form of education based in the traditions of Western culture, with a particular focus on education as understood and taught in the Middle Ages. The curricula and pedagogy of classical education was first developed during the Middle Ages by Martianus...
. The association's website lists over 200 members schools.
The classical Christian education
Classical Christian education
Classical Christian education is an approach to learning which emphasizes biblical teachings and incorporates a teaching model known as the Trivium, consisting of three parts: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. According to Douglas Wilson, this method of instruction was developed by early Christians as...
movement was launched by the publication in 1991 of a book entitled Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson
Douglas Wilson (theologian)
Douglas James Wilson is a conservative Reformed and evangelical theologian, pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, faculty member at New Saint Andrews College, and prolific author and speaker...
Wilson was also the founder of one of the first classical Christian schools in Moscow, Idaho
Moscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
, Logos School. The classical Christian education movement has also been influenced by Norms and Nobility by David V. Hicks as well as the CiRCE Institute, founded by Andrew Kern, which exists to promote classical Christian education.
Educational Philosophy
Wilson himself had drawn inspiration from an earlier article published by Dorothy Sayers entitled "The Lost Tools of Learning" (1948). Sayers was a colleague of C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. TolkienJ. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, CBE was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor, best known as the author of the classic high fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.Tolkien was Rawlinson and Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Pembroke College,...
. In this article she derided modern education methods and called for a return to the ancient classical trivium.
The trivium, which formed the heart of the Medieval curriculum, consisted of three phases of learning: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. These she said were the 'lost tools of learning,' which are essential to the mastery of any subject. The tools of the trivium equip the student for a lifetime of self-education. They include critical thinking and communication skills.
According to Sayers, the "grammar" of any subject consists of the basic facts, definitions and principles—the building blocks on which the subject is constructed. Utilizing techniques of dialectic, the learner integrates the facts into a mature understanding of the subject. These techniques include the tools of formal logic. Finally, during the rhetoric phase, the learner applies his understanding of the material in real world application. This often takes the form of written or verbal communication.
Sayers also applied the trivium idea to the three stages of child development. These she labeled "poll-parrot," "pert," and "poetic." In the "poll-parrot" stage—early childhood through about 6th grade—the child is able to absorb and parrot-back prodigious amounts of factual material. A good time for memorizing the details of Latin.
In the "pert" stage—the middle years—children typically began to challenge, talk-back, question authority. Sayers encouraged the teaching of formal logic at this point to channel natural inquisitiveness. As the adolescent matures to young-adulthood a strong desire for self-expression takes over as the child enters the poetic stage. This is the best time to polish the writing skills and the speaking skills, including declamation and debate.
Some have made the case that the trivium is a biblical methodology, pointing to passages such as Proverbs chapter two for proof. This passage speaks of "knowledge", "understanding", and "wisdom". These are held to correspond to the grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric phases of the trivium.
Membership
All member schools in the ACCS are required to subscribe to the trivium method of instruction and also to the Bible. The Bible is the reference point in which the trivium itself is grounded.There are three types of members accepted into the Association of Classical and Christian Schools:
Regular Members. These are local campus schools whose founding members have signed a statement of commitment to the trivium and to an evangelical statement of faith.
Accredited Members. These are regular member schools who have met rigorous ACCS accreditation requirements.
Business Members. These are members other than the above whose general purpose is to supply regular members with various educational services.