The Curriculum
As mentioned earlier, the subjects of study are essentially derived from the seven classical liberal arts. The subjects in the Lower School are: religion, natural history, math, literature, language arts, history, music, art, and physical education.
Before discussing each particular subject, it is worth noting the small topics of homework and grades. Homework is not simply to be busy work; it is not given for its own sake. On the average, homework ranges from 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Assignments are given to supplement and prepare for classes, but are limited so as to not diminish healthy hobbies, exploration, personal reading, as well as family relationships. Grades are given quarterly and range from A to F. They indicate performance and mastery of a course and do not reflect behavior. They are helpful to assess the student’s academic process but efforts are made to keep them in perspective. Interest, engagement, and academic habits are of real importance; grades, especially at younger ages, are not. (Behavior and discipline are not part of the grading criteria and are handled individually by the respective teacher.)