Katy Catholic Montessori-Classical Academy

Classical Education:

• How to Think: Classical education emphasizes teaching students how to learn, rather than simply what to learn. This involves developing critical thinking, logical reasoning, and effective communication skills.
• The Trivium: Students are trained in the trivium:
  • Grammar: The fundamentals of a subject are memorized.
  • Logic: Students learn to reason and form arguments.
  • Rhetoric: Students learn to communicate effectively and persuasively.
• Great Books: Students engage with the “Great Books” – classic works of literature, philosophy, and history – to understand enduring ideas and human questions.
• Virtue Formation: Character development and the cultivation of virtues are central to the educational process.
• Lifelong Learning: A classical education aims to instill a love of learning for its own sake, preparing students to be lifelong learners.
• Strong Foundation: Students develop a strong foundation in language (including Latin and Greek), logic, and rhetoric.
• Articulation: Students are expected to be able to articulate their thoughts clearly, persuasively, and eloquently.
• Cultural Literacy: Students gain a deep understanding of Western civilization and its cultural heritage.

Traditional Education:

• What to Know: Traditional education often focuses on the acquisition of facts and information, with an emphasis on mastering specific subject matter.
• Subject-Based: Learning is often compartmentalized into separate subjects (e.g., math, science, history) with less emphasis on interdisciplinary connections.
• Standardized Testing: Success is often measured by standardized test scores.
• Teacher-Centered: Instruction is often more teacher-centered, with lectures and textbooks as primary sources of information.
• Career Preparation: While not always the case, traditional education often emphasizes preparing students for specific careers or vocational paths.
• Broad Knowledge: Students often acquire a broad base of knowledge across various subjects.
• Information Recall: Students are often skilled at recalling and reproducing information.
• Practical Skills: Students often develop practical skills and knowledge relevant to the modern workforce.

Students with a classical education are often characterized by their ability to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage with complex ideas. They are well-versed in the foundational works of Western civilization and possess a strong sense of intellectual curiosity. While traditional education provides a broad base of knowledge and often emphasizes practical skills, classical education cultivates a deeper understanding of how to learn and encourages students to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty.