Kolbe Academy and Trinity Prep
Encyclopedia
Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep is a private
, school in Napa, California
. It offers grades from pre-kindergarten
through twelfth grade and embraces a classically-based Catholic
educational model. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa
, though it operates independently.
program began.
Trinity Grammar and Prep was established in 1995 by Jack Kersting, Tony Ryan and others.
The two schools merged in 2008.
tradition. The spoken arts of grammar
and rhetoric
are emphasized. Grade levels at the school are combined in pairs — first-and second graders are in one classroom, third-and fourth graders are in another, for example. Students are exposed to the greatest works of Western Civilization and also study Latin
and public speaking
.
The goal is for all students to develop into life-long learners and critical thinkers who can grow to their fullest potential, both intellectually and spiritually. This is accomplished by a challenging academic environment combined with individualized and intensive instruction in basic education in the lower grades and a superior college-preparatory high school program.
The classical model of education is based on the traditional “liberal arts”, i.e., the learning arts proper to a free person since the time of the ancient Greeks and enjoying a rich Catholic heritage. It is not subject matter but rather the bestowing of the tools of learning and clear thinking that help students to apply this knowledge to their lives and the problems and issues they will face in the world.
This classical model closely follows the natural intellectual development of the child. In the classical method, these stages of development are represented by the “Trivium” of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. “Grammar” means learning the structure of a subject—grammar and spelling rules, math facts, the catechism—and corresponds roughly to grades 1-4. The “Logic” stage involves a deeper analysis of subjects—learning how all the parts come together in a cohesive whole. This is especially true in subjects such as history and literature, where students start delving deeper and asking “why” and “how” questions; it corresponds to grades 5-8. Finally, the “Rhetoric” stage takes these how and why questions and focuses on what St. Ignatius of Loyola called eloquentia perfecta—perfect eloquence—in the communication of these thoughts.
Thus, in high school, the students are exposed to the great thinkers and focus on the greatest spiritual, literary, artistic, and cultural achievements of Western Civilization and the Catholic tradition. The classical curriculum, combined with the study of Latin, brings intellectual knowledge of the Faith into the heart by introducing the student to the great works of Christendom and the pre-Christian masterpieces that influenced and inspired Catholic Europe. Students read the original sources whenever possible, to learn important critical thinking and communication skills. A high school student’s journey will take them from Ancient Greece and Rome, through Medieval Europe, and on to Modern European and American History and Literature. Studies also include ancient and modern languages (Latin and Spanish), the sciences (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics), mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and sometimes Calculus), Public Speaking, Seminar, Physical Education, and, of course, Theology.
To care for the soul, there is frequent Mass attendance, daily prayer in the classes, a persistent emphasis on character formation, and a dedication to teaching students about the need to serve others. High School students help prepare meals for the needy monthly, to show their faith in action. Religious instruction takes place throughout Grades K-12, with the Faith and Life series for grades 1-8 and a four-year cycle in High School composed of Understanding Sacred Scripture, Sacramental Life, Morality and Apologetics. Many of the students are very active in the pro-life movement, both locally with 40 Days for Life and a Birth Choice clinic and more broadly, taking part in Survivors camp to become sidewalk counselors.
The school offers a regular, structured physical education program for Grades 1-10. In addition, the school participates in six high school sports—boys’ soccer, basketball and baseball and girls’ volleyball, basketball and soccer.
The founders of both schools foresaw the need to form good Catholic citizens who could effectively defend their Faith and country through a thorough understanding of Catholic doctrine and regular reception of the Sacraments, as well as having the formation and skills necessary to be productive and virtuous members of society. These founding families also recognized a need for better, more individualized and intensive instruction in basic education.
In 2008, recognizing the strength of the schools’ common bonds, the two schools united to form Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep.
Graduates have gone on to lead productive and rewarding lives in various and diverse endeavors. Our graduates include a priest, a religious brother and a religious sister; chief of staff for a former California Senate Minority Leader; a National Sales Manager for a leading resort; several PhD candidates; a West Point graduate currently serving as an engineer in the army (and who served a tour in Iraq); a doctor; a medical school student; several Registered Nurses; a mechanical engineer; law students; nursing students; several teachers; owner of an event management company; a two-time Jeopardy champion; a Director of Marketing for the leading legal publisher in the U.S.; and the Principal of the school.
Private school
Private schools, also known as independent schools or nonstate schools, are not administered by local, state or national governments; thus, they retain the right to select their students and are funded in whole or in part by charging their students' tuition, rather than relying on mandatory...
, school in Napa, California
Napa, California
-History:The name Napa was probably derived from the name given to a southern Nappan village whose people shared the area with elk, deer, grizzlies and cougars for many centuries, according to Napa historian Kami Santiago. At the time of the first recorded exploration into Napa Valley in 1823, the...
. It offers grades from pre-kindergarten
Pre-Kindergarten
Pre-kindergarten refers to the first formal academic classroom-based learning environment that a child customarily attends in the United States. It begins between the ages of 3-5 depending on the length of the program...
through twelfth grade and embraces a classically-based Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
educational model. It is located within the Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa
Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa in California
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa in California is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northern California region of the United States, named in honor of St. Rose of Lima. It comprises the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa and...
, though it operates independently.
Background
Kolbe Academy was established in 1980 by Fran & Marge Crotty, Jerry & Dianne Muth, and Vince & Lucille Cortese in Napa, California. In 1995, the academy's homeschoolingHomeschooling
Homeschooling or homeschool is the education of children at home, typically by parents but sometimes by tutors, rather than in other formal settings of public or private school...
program began.
Trinity Grammar and Prep was established in 1995 by Jack Kersting, Tony Ryan and others.
The two schools merged in 2008.
Curriculum
The school's curriculum is grounded in the IgnatianIgnatius of Loyola
Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish knight from a Basque noble family, hermit, priest since 1537, and theologian, who founded the Society of Jesus and was its first Superior General. Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation...
tradition. The spoken arts of grammar
Grammar
In linguistics, grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language. The term refers also to the study of such rules, and this field includes morphology, syntax, and phonology, often complemented by phonetics, semantics,...
and rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
are emphasized. Grade levels at the school are combined in pairs — first-and second graders are in one classroom, third-and fourth graders are in another, for example. Students are exposed to the greatest works of Western Civilization and also study Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and public speaking
Public speaking
Public speaking is the process of speaking to a group of people in a structured, deliberate manner intended to inform, influence, or entertain the listeners...
.
Organizational Overview
Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep combines an outstanding curriculum and educational approach with a thorough focus on the Catholic Faith, virtue, character development and leadership. The school is smaller than public schools and provides a stronger moral and character foundation than these schools are able to provide. It offers smaller class sizes and a distinctive curriculum and focus compared to other private schools. Kolbe-Trinity is a combined PreK-12 school, which offers the opportunity for younger students to learn from older students and for older students to learn how to be good role models and leaders.The goal is for all students to develop into life-long learners and critical thinkers who can grow to their fullest potential, both intellectually and spiritually. This is accomplished by a challenging academic environment combined with individualized and intensive instruction in basic education in the lower grades and a superior college-preparatory high school program.
Mission
Kolbe-Trinity is a private school for families with children in Grades PreK-12 in Napa, California and offers a classically-based Catholic education in an academically challenging, faith-filled environment. The school is dedicated to forming the whole person—mind, body, and soul—in order to renew the world through children and young adults who possess the highest educational, moral, civic, and spiritual values.Philosophy
The goal is the formation of the whole person—mind, body and soul—to help transform the world. The school seeks to train the student’s memory, understanding and will, so that the student can speak, write and act well in life, for the greater glory of God. Based on the pedagogy of St. Ignatius of Loyola, this is accomplished through self-activity, mastery of progressively more difficult material, formation of the will through conscientious application of study habits, and an emphasis throughout on developing the ability to learn, to think and to communicate.The classical model of education is based on the traditional “liberal arts”, i.e., the learning arts proper to a free person since the time of the ancient Greeks and enjoying a rich Catholic heritage. It is not subject matter but rather the bestowing of the tools of learning and clear thinking that help students to apply this knowledge to their lives and the problems and issues they will face in the world.
This classical model closely follows the natural intellectual development of the child. In the classical method, these stages of development are represented by the “Trivium” of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. “Grammar” means learning the structure of a subject—grammar and spelling rules, math facts, the catechism—and corresponds roughly to grades 1-4. The “Logic” stage involves a deeper analysis of subjects—learning how all the parts come together in a cohesive whole. This is especially true in subjects such as history and literature, where students start delving deeper and asking “why” and “how” questions; it corresponds to grades 5-8. Finally, the “Rhetoric” stage takes these how and why questions and focuses on what St. Ignatius of Loyola called eloquentia perfecta—perfect eloquence—in the communication of these thoughts.
Thus, in high school, the students are exposed to the great thinkers and focus on the greatest spiritual, literary, artistic, and cultural achievements of Western Civilization and the Catholic tradition. The classical curriculum, combined with the study of Latin, brings intellectual knowledge of the Faith into the heart by introducing the student to the great works of Christendom and the pre-Christian masterpieces that influenced and inspired Catholic Europe. Students read the original sources whenever possible, to learn important critical thinking and communication skills. A high school student’s journey will take them from Ancient Greece and Rome, through Medieval Europe, and on to Modern European and American History and Literature. Studies also include ancient and modern languages (Latin and Spanish), the sciences (Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics), mathematics (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II/Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and sometimes Calculus), Public Speaking, Seminar, Physical Education, and, of course, Theology.
To care for the soul, there is frequent Mass attendance, daily prayer in the classes, a persistent emphasis on character formation, and a dedication to teaching students about the need to serve others. High School students help prepare meals for the needy monthly, to show their faith in action. Religious instruction takes place throughout Grades K-12, with the Faith and Life series for grades 1-8 and a four-year cycle in High School composed of Understanding Sacred Scripture, Sacramental Life, Morality and Apologetics. Many of the students are very active in the pro-life movement, both locally with 40 Days for Life and a Birth Choice clinic and more broadly, taking part in Survivors camp to become sidewalk counselors.
The school offers a regular, structured physical education program for Grades 1-10. In addition, the school participates in six high school sports—boys’ soccer, basketball and baseball and girls’ volleyball, basketball and soccer.
History
Kolbe Academy was founded in 1980 as a 1st through 7th grade school, with a grade per year added until it was 1st-12th Grades. Trinity Education Center, Inc. was founded in 1991 in Fairfield, California as a home school. In 1995 it began doing business as Trinity Grammar and Prep as a 1st through 12th Grade school with 50 students.The founders of both schools foresaw the need to form good Catholic citizens who could effectively defend their Faith and country through a thorough understanding of Catholic doctrine and regular reception of the Sacraments, as well as having the formation and skills necessary to be productive and virtuous members of society. These founding families also recognized a need for better, more individualized and intensive instruction in basic education.
In 2008, recognizing the strength of the schools’ common bonds, the two schools united to form Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep.
Alumni Accomplishments
Kolbe-Trinity graduates have been accepted at state and private schools both large and small. The school’s graduates have been accepted at such schools as UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly, Gonzaga University, West Point, the University of Dallas, Thomas Aquinas College, Christendom College University of San Francisco, Hillsdale, UC Davis, Wheaton College, Pepperdine, Notre Dame School of Law, University of Virginia School of Law, University of Texas School of Law, Ave Maria, St. John’s Annapolis, Fordham, USC, Catholic University, St. Louis University, and Franciscan University. They are actively recruited to attend and often receive generous scholarships. Nearly 100% of the school’s graduates who have attended four-year colleges have completed college. Graduates have received awards such as Phi Beta Kappa, Dean’s List, graduating Magna and Summa Cum Laude, etc. The school’s program is a great preparation no matter what field students choose as a major, because it teaches them to be critical thinkers and excellent communicators.Graduates have gone on to lead productive and rewarding lives in various and diverse endeavors. Our graduates include a priest, a religious brother and a religious sister; chief of staff for a former California Senate Minority Leader; a National Sales Manager for a leading resort; several PhD candidates; a West Point graduate currently serving as an engineer in the army (and who served a tour in Iraq); a doctor; a medical school student; several Registered Nurses; a mechanical engineer; law students; nursing students; several teachers; owner of an event management company; a two-time Jeopardy champion; a Director of Marketing for the leading legal publisher in the U.S.; and the Principal of the school.