What method of teaching has been in practice for two and a half millennia, has developed the minds of some of our country’s greatest leaders, and is still in practice in many of today’s schools? The Classical Education model of teaching has played a substantial role in shaping Western Civilization, transmitting knowledge and values across countless generations.
Rooted in ancient Greece, Classical Education was the foundation of learning laid by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Based on a three-part approach to learning known as the Trivium, it’s made up of the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages of learning. Classical Education is characterized by developing scholars’ minds, bodies, and spirits through an integrated curriculum of math, science, history, geography, languages and literature. It emphasizes character development and critical thinking, encouraging scholars to discover what is true and beautiful in the world.
As the Industrial Revolution was well underway at the start of the 20th century, methods of teaching began to shift from classical models to progressive models to prepare young people for careers in the industrial world.
Likewise, with the Technological Revolution of today’s world, schools seek to prepare scholars for careers in STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. Modern educators frequently view classical learning as outdated; however, this is a misconception because the classical approach teaches lifelong skills such as how to analyze, question, and reason.
When scholars receive a classical background, they develop strong communication skills, cultural literacy, moral and ethical grounding, and the appreciation of enduring human curiosity. These are skills that prepare young people for lifelong success, equipping them for college and careers, regardless of their chosen fields for study.
Here is a breakdown of the many benefits young people receive in the classical setting:
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Effective Communication and Persuasive Writing
- A Strong Work Ethic and Self-Discipline
- A Love for Lifelong Learning
- Ethical Leadership and Character Development
- College and Career Readiness
Let’s take a closer look at each exceptional benefit that your child could develop in a classical education classroom.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Critical thinking, the ability to analyze information objectively and form reasoned judgments, is developed in classical learning by engaging with classical texts. Such great works as The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, and Dante’s Divine Comedy are dense and layered with meaning. Through lively Socratic discussions, scholars explore such human concerns as justice, virtue, and freedom. They write persuasive essays defending their ideas using advanced thinking and reasoning.
From examining classical literature and engaging in discussions, scholars develop the abilities to think logically, argue persuasively, and solve complex problems — key skills for successful careers. How does this model of education foster independent thought? Let’s look at a couple of examples:
1. Scholars in the classical education setting learn how to write and speak persuasively. When they study Rousseau and Augustine, they discuss the age-old topic of “Is man inherently good or evil?” With evidential support from the texts they’ve studied, scholars generate and defend their own well-thought theses.
2. In another example, class discussion arises over the study of Sophocles’ Antigone, regarding whether it’s moral to defy state law to follow divine law. This leads to a rich conversation about ethics, duty, and integrity. Critical thinking and character development frequently walk hand-in-hand during such deep discussions.
Effective Communication and Persuasive Writing
If you choose a Classical Education setting for your child’s schooling, your child’s high school years will align with the Trivium’s Rhetoric stage. At this time, all the knowledge and analytical thinking he or she has explored up to this point will serve as a foundation for this stage.
Scholars in Rhetoric learning use their previous learning, along with a study of the humanities, to formulate opinions on various issues. They practice communicating their thoughts through compelling speeches and written essays that propose, defend, and argue their points. These skills will serve them well later in college and in their careers.
For example, these young adults will be able to craft superb essays on their college applications. They’ll know how to express themselves on job applications and in professional settings. They’ll also have experience in decision-making and public speaking, which will make them an excellent fit for leadership roles in their chosen professions.
Effective communication is a highly sought skill that professionals desire in their business settings and one best prepared for in a classical setting.
Strong Work Ethic and Self-Discipline
The Classical Education model raises the bar of academic expectations. It ensures scholars will learn to think thoroughly and completely, from gaining knowledge to applying it, as well as analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and creating it. As they repetitively take these rigorous steps to mastery, the trait of perseverance is carved into their work ethic.
When you explore Classical Education, you’ll notice how scholars begin with foundational knowledge before they progress to advanced concepts. This begins with the Grammar stage, the first step in the Trivium. It coincides with early and intermediate grade levels, ages 5 – 11. During this stage, scholars commit a wide breadth of knowledge to memory using songs, chants, rhymes, and games.
Moving into the Logic stage, with their ability now to use abstract thinking, this absorbed knowledge will be called forth to be analyzed, compared, contrasted, and explored.
Progressing from the Logic stage to the coinciding high school years of the Rhetoric stage, scholars use their foundational knowledge plus their critical thinking skills to form opinions, judgments, and beliefs. They debate, learn to persuade, argue, and promote their ideas.
As you see, the structure of the Trivium is aligned with age-related brain development and the thinking skills of its scholars. In this way, they interact with knowledge as they’re able to, and aspire to achieve the level of their potential.
With spirited discussions and classical literature requiring deep thinking, scholars engage with rich, timeless ideas. They learn that their education is part of a bigger story. Motivated by the “big picture”, they intrinsically manage their time, developing a strong work ethic.
A Love for Lifelong Learning
Instead of viewing each school subject — literature, history, philosophy, languages, mathematics, and science — as its own isolated segment, classical scholars see these subjects as interrelated. For example, scholars might read Pliny the Younger’s account of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in ancient Pompeii. Here, they might learn how the ancient people of Pompeii lived, the geography of the area, the political and moral aspects of Roman rule, the science of volcanoes and the math used to interpret the science.
So many benefits are available to scholars through the classical model, including a passion for learning. Classical scholars learn to appreciate learning by becoming personally engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. They can satisfy their curiosities about the world and follow up with in-depth studies of their subjects. Thus, they discover connections between their subjects, presenting them with coherence and coordination in their minds.
As this sense of coordination grows, scholars develop an enhanced mental agility, which is an important skill to have in today’s ever-changing job market. In the working world, professionals need to adapt to change, acquire new skills, and embrace new technologies. High-quality professional performance is dependent upon workers having a broader perspective. The classical model adequately prepares young people for the professional world.
Ethical Leadership and Character Development
Just as important as the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to think critically, Classical Education seeks to cultivate virtue. Virtue is the habit of right thinking and doing the right things. Throughout the three stages of the Trivium, lessons in virtue are discussed at levels appropriate to scholars’ ages.
By studying classical literature along with discussions and deep contemplation, scholars develop what C.S. Lewis called the moral imagination. This is the ability to empathize and envision a just society. Scholars learn from both ancient and modern examples of statesmanship, service, and sacrifice. They learn to understand what is moral, good, and true. Such study guides them to become moral, just, and ethical leaders as adults.
Some examples of leaders in history who were classically trained were Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, as well as most of the Founding Fathers.
College and Career Readiness: A Competitive Advantage
Top universities in our country seek to enroll scholars who can think analytically, argue persuasively, and communicate clearly. Through the Logic and Rhetoric stages of the Trivium, classical scholars develop these very skills. They know how to lead discussions, think independently, and contribute original insights.
Likewise, professional industries seek employees with these skills. There is a high demand for well-rounded and articulate leaders who possess excellent communication skills and decision-making abilities.
Take a look at how Classical Education has benefited these people in their academic and professional journeys:
“Compared to modern education models, which revolve around standardized testing and memorizing pieces of information, the classical method emphasizes gaining wisdom and growing holistically through discussion and apprenticeship.”
— Patrick Henry College Alumnus
“They are not just book lessons, but life lessons I will take wherever I go. They have shaped my life and helped me become the person I am today.”
— St. Ann Classical Academy Graduate
“My classical education at CCA taught me to think critically and challenged me to develop
ideas on my own. It not only set me ahead of the majority of my freshman college class, but it also cultivated in me a love for learning that will go with me throughout my adult life”.
Conclusion
Traditional public schools prepare their scholars for passing tests, promotion to the next grade, and graduation. In contrast, a Classical Education prepares people for success in life. Having acquired exceptional skills in communication, analytical thinking and the development of an ethical character, classical scholars are ready to take on all that college, careers and life brings to them.
If you’re on the fence about what type of education is best for your child, consider the benefits of a Classical Education and how they prepare your child for a life well-lived.
Learn More About Leman Academy’s Classical Curriculum and How it Prepares Scholars for Lifelong Success!