08/07/2026
Words, thoughts, and actions are analogous to the classical arts of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. God has perfectly equipped each one of us to obey Him. To give your children a better education, you must give them more than content.You must teach them the timeless art of learning a little at a time.
Foundations
Children ages four to twelve practice the art of grammar in the Classical Conversations Foundations program through naming, attending, memorizing, expressing, and storytelling, which serve as building blocks for later learning. The first step in learning anything is to learn the subject’s vocabulary. Young children love repeating songs, chanting rhymes, and pronouncing big words.
Essentials and Challenges A, B, and I
The second step in learning anything is to sort, compare, and understand the words and basic ideas. We learn these skills through more abstract activities, such as debating, refuting, and discussing. Most children between the ages of ten and thirteen enjoy this process. The Classical Conversations Essentials program and the first three years of the Challenge program hone the art of dialectic through questions, persuasive writing, discussion, and debate.
Challenges II, III, and IV
The third step in learning anything is to communicate winsomely in word or deed what you have learned. Abstract thinking is now put into practice as students solve problems, write original papers and speeches, and lead discussions.Young adults usually enjoy this process because they long to express themselves and be creative problem solvers. The later Challenge programs are designed to help students practice these skills across many subjects. As a Capstone Event, students write and defend a senior thesis.
