About TCA
A Classical Education
Classical education is not a new method of learning. In fact, it has been a sound and proven philosophy of education for hundreds of years and has produced some of the greatest minds in history. It can be understood in part by its methodology called the Trivium. The Trivium includes three stages.
The Grammar Stage is the study of fundamentals of various subjects like history, science, math, and language arts, in order to build a framework of knowledge on which later information c
an be hung. Latin is the paradigm discipline of the Grammar Stage and begins in the third grade. The goal is to teach these students from K-5th grade facts, facts of who, what, where and when, at a time when memorization of facts is easy and fun.
The Dialectic Stage, which begins in Middle School, brings the data of the Grammar Stage into ordered relationship. Formal and informal logic is taught with the goal of equipping the students with thinking skills, making them capable of detecting sound and fallacious arguments. Questions of how and why are thoroughly addressed with this age group.
The Rhetoric Stage makes use of the data of the Grammar Stage and the reasoning skills of the Dialectic Stage. Combined they teach high school students how to express what they think eloquently and persuasively. Because of this method, two goals are achieved. The first goal is that basics of sound education are successfully imparted. What a joy to see children who can read well and problem solve! The second is to see our young graduates go into the world with a firm grasp on the tools of learning. It will be a pleasure to see young men and women who can think.
(Student Profile)
A Christian Education
At the focus of all teaching and learning is the Word of God. We unapologetically and unashamedly stand firm on God's revelation of Himself and His world through the Bible, which is the basis of every subject. TCA does not attempt to teach history, science and math and try to tie God's Word into it, but rather teach God's Word and formulate subjects such as history, science and math from it. After all, how can you have true learning without truth at the base? Learning that takes place without a biblical world view builds a hollow structure, weak at its very foundations and destined to collapse, as we have seen in the educational system today. But because God created the heavens and the earth, its orders and rules, it is impossible to teach any truth or any knowledge without Him. Therefore, we seek to teach all subjects as parts of an integrated whole with the Scriptures at the center. (Statement of Faith)
Membership
The Christian Academy is a member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools.
Transportation
Many TCA students utilize the tax supported busing provided by their community school districts. Students as far away as Philadelphia and West Chester are able to be transported from their home to TCA.
Recommended Reading
The following publications would be useful in gaining a better insight into a classical Christian education.
Repairing the Ruins
Douglas Wilson, editor
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
by Douglas Wilson
The Lost Tools of Learning
by Dorothy Sayers
"...although we often succeed in teaching our pupils subjects, we fail lamentably on the whole in teaching them how to think. They learn everything, except the art of learning."
Dorothy Sayers
The Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origins to all rights and privileges and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.