The Torch
A deep dive into classical education
What Is Classical Education?
The answer to “What Is Classical Education?” is varied depending on whom you ask. So much so, that part of our strategic plan for 2023 through 2028 is focused on defining classical education for our Nova Classical Academy community. We believe at Nova that having a centralized definition of our educational philosophy is the North Star of what we do, and why we do it.
We took on this challenge in parts. The first was to revisit the classical definition our teaching faculty collaborated on starting in 2017. From this definition work within our faculty, our pedagogy leads (Becky Lund, Brandon Foat, and Sara Seal) created a simplified version for our greater Nova Classical Academy community. I am delighted to share this definition with you now:
Nova Classical uses classical education to teach our students. Classical education uses three stages called the Trivium —grammar, logic, and rhetoric— to train thinkers. We help our students learn facts, connect ideas, and use their learning in new ways. We use virtue instruction to help them make wise and ethical decisions. Students use these skills to improve their lives as well as the lives of others.
In the preview of what's to come in The Torch for 2024-2025, you may have noticed that I will address the Trivium in deeper detail next month. For now, the idea of the Trivium is beautifully distilled in the above statement through the following connection:
- "learn facts”: grammar stage,
- “connect ideas”: logic stage,
- “and use their learning in new ways”: rhetoric stage
By now, I hope that your scholars have shared with you some glimpses of virtue instruction in their conversations in the car or over the dinner table. Our Nova Classical virtues are fortitude, justice, temperance, prudence, and wisdom. Our school's educational philosophy urges us to consider that virtues are not only discussion pieces but also habits that arise from repeated action. Finally, our scholars combine their skills rooted in the Trivium and the virtues in order to become lifelong learners and ethical citizens within our changing world.
I would like to add that there are excellent classical schools within the metro and throughout the world whose definition of classical education may differ from the one above. One of my favorite things about fall is the Minnesota Classical Education Conference in October where classical schools from around the state gather to celebrate their differences and their similarities. In our eighth year of the conference, we still have strategies to share with each other to strengthen classical education for all students.
Additionally, there are two opportunities for Nova Classical parents to explore classical education from the family perspective:
- Parent education night at Nova Classical on Tuesday, October 8. We will be talking about classical education overall, as well as at-home strategies for Literacy, Latin, and Math. This Parent Education Night is most appropriate for parents of scholars in kindergarten through eighth grade, but all are welcome! Details are here, but please RSVP for planning purposes.
- The Minnesota Classical Education Conference Parent Night on Wednesday, October 16. This is held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Airport. Please see details here and we ask that you RSVP using the QR code in the PDF.
May we continue to keep the light of classical education burning bright,
Dr. Missy Johnson
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As a teacher and student of Latin and Greek, the classical model was a natural choice for me as an educator. I hold the teaching of grammar, logic, rhetoric, and virtues in high regard for learners of all ages and backgrounds. Nova Classical’s community model is inspiring, and I hope to bring thoughtfulness and openness to the Great Conversation.