Rhetoric School (9-12) Distinctives

The Rhetoric School continues to develop skills gained in the Logic School.  At the Rhetoric level, students increasingly apply these skills to evaluating and synthesizing information, and to constructing a biblical interpretation of the subjects they study.  Ultimately, our graduates will be able to apply a biblical worldview to ideas and works by first rate authors, and they will be able to articulate a thoughtful Christian response to the issues posed by the world around them.

Students will continue their integrated study of history and literature at greater depth, moving chronologically from antiquity to the modern world in order to understand the roots and consequences of ideas and institutions as they have developed over time.  This development will culminate in a senior year critique of modern culture, studying the sources and impacts of major influences such as Darwinism, Communism, existentialism, and Freudianism as well as more recent movements such as Deconstruction and Postmodernism.

Complementing historical and literary studies, the Bible curriculum at the Rhetoric level will address principles of interpretation, a survey of Bible doctrine, and then students will apply what they have learned with courses in apologetics and biblical worldview analysis so that they can formulate intelligent Christian responses to the influential thought systems which they will encounter in college and in adult life.

Latin study in the Rhetoric School will finish basic grammar and vocabulary and then gradually shift into translating and discussing great works in Latin literature such as the Latin Bible, Julius Caesar, Cicero, and various Roman poets.

Two other “languages” essential to an appreciation of God’s world are high school mathematics and the natural sciences.  Students will apply logic, thinking, and writing skills to gain an excellent grounding in these disciplines, preparing them both for college-level work in these areas and to be informed adults capable of following and evaluating new developments in these fields throughout their adult lives.

As with other areas, the skills emphasis of the Logic School will shift in the Rhetoric School to application in their study of logic.  Students will focus upon constructing and presenting persuasive essays and speeches and developing research skills.  Their senior year will culminate in a senior thesis, drawing together in practice all that they have learned about constructing a thoughtful and persuasive argument on a significant topic.