Classical Education

Classical Christian Home School of Austin, Inc. (CCHSA) follows the classical education model known as the Trivium. By integrating classical curriculum with biblical teaching, we provide an education that presents history through the lens of God’s sovereignty. Classical education with a biblical worldview enables students to research and use factual knowledge to think critically and convey their arguments clearly and persuasively.

Grammar Stage
Kindergarten through 4th grade are concerned primarily with laying the foundation for each subject.  Students memorize facts, for example, spelling rules, math facts, history dates, and other basic information.

Logic Stage
In grades 5 through 8 the students begin to question the world.  They may become argumentative, enjoy the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, and are curious about why things are the way they are.  We allow time for discussion, debate, visual aids, and role-playing.

Rhetoric Stage
In grades 9 through 12 the student moves toward a greater ability to express ideas and thoughts more comprehensively, both in writing and orally.  The formal study of rhetoric, greater research skills, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize information are features of this age level.

CCHSA offers a Senior Thesis class for all seniors. This class culminates the classical curriculum and the three stages mentioned above. Senior Thesis challenges the students to research and take a stance on a topic of their choice, write and present their thesis in front of their peers and a panel of outside judges, and support their position with a debate and some Q&A at the end. Participating in a Senior Thesis provides students with the opportunity to practice the classical curriculum foundational skills: Critical Thinking, Research, Writing, Presentation, and Debate and Discussion in a challenging scenario with real-world topics.

Four-Year Rotation

Following the time-tested philosophy of the Trivium, the curriculum studied at CCHSA will follow a four-year rotation schedule:
Year I: Creation – Ancient Greece (500BC)
Year II: Classical Greece – Middle Ages (500 BC-1450 AD)
Year III: Renaissance, Reformation/Enlightenment - early American history (1400-1850 AD)
Year IV: Civil War – Present (1850-present)
Students may begin classes at any point in the four-year cycle. Core History, Humanities, and Literature classes focus on the time period as content for research, reading, and writing. As appropriate for each age, original source materials and texts will be used when feasible.

In High School, the core classes offered are Literature and History, with a rotating offering of electives depending on the community's needs. Some of these electives include Spanish 1 and 2, Vocabulary from Classical Roots, Government and Economics, Rhetoric, HS Debate and Logic, Old Testament Survey, Worldview 1 and 2, and Senior Thesis.