Academic Overview
We take seriously the admonition that school is not for the sake of school but for the sake of life—and the process of living responsible, independent, and productive lives begins when students are young. The classical experience in Grammar School instills studious habits, decorum, and respect. It promotes the love of order, of precise and edifying language, and of objective standards of goodness, truth, and beauty. And, more than anything, it invites students to delight in the rich variety of the natural and human world.
- Integrated humanities and sciences
- Logic and rhetoric developmen
- College readiness and intellectual independence
Grades K-6 Curriculum Highlights
The Grammar School curriculum is composed of three main components, Core Knowledge sequence, Explicit Phonics instruction, and Singapore mathematics.
Item Name
Core Knowledge: The Core Knowledge curriculum is the most content-rich curriculum now extant for Kindergarten through Eighth Grade in subjects from history and science to art and music. It focuses squarely on content whereas other curricula, particularly the similarly named Common Core, focus on skills. Students memorize facts, dates, names, places, and events, which give them the basic pieces of geography, history, and science. With this wealth of knowledge, students form reasonable and coherent opinions, craft good arguments, and seek out deeper and broader knowledge. Background knowledge is vital for increased reading ability, interest in school, improved memory, and understanding abstractions and meaning.
Item Name
Access Literacy & Explicit Phonics: The explicit phonics approach teaches how words work rather than teaching children to memorize words by sight. Students learn all the different sounds a letter or letter combinations may make, and all the ways a sound may be spelled. Through a step-by-step, logical sequence, they learn how to decode words.
Item Name
Mathematics: The Singapore Math method, originally developed by Singapore’s Ministry of Education for Singapore public schools, is world renowned for its effectiveness in teaching conceptual depth and problem solving. From kindergarten through 7th grade, students develop an aptitude for algebraic thinking.
Athletics & Extracurriculars
We believe athletics is an important part of a well-rounded education. Certain virtues are difficult to practice in a classroom. The field of competition and physical training is an arena for that practice. Students are pushed beyond limits, taught discipline, and are forced to practice strength and virtue when they are tired, losing, or extended beyond the comfort of a typical classroom.
Volleyball
Cross Country
Basketball
Track & Field
Soccer
FAQs
Use of Instructional Technology
When will my student be introduced to technology so that he/she can be ready to succeed in college and in the work force?
At Ascent Classical, we prioritize the “tried and true” approach to education that values traditional learning methods. While technology plays a significant role in today’s world, we believe in fostering strong foundational skills in reading, writing, and critical thinking, which are best developed through traditional methods such as books and pencil and paper.
However, we will provide opportunities for students to engage with technology in a purposeful and meaningful way. In our high school, students will have access to a research lab as part of our library, where they will learn to conduct real research using academic databases. Further, we will offer an elective course called “Creator Technologies,” detailed in our Ascent Classical’s 6-12 Prospectus. This course equips students with the mindset necessary to become creators rather than mere consumers of technology.
Use of Personal Smart Devices
What will be the policy regarding the use of personal smart devices (phones, watches, etc.) during the high school years at Ascent Classical?
At Ascent Classical, we uphold a policy that promotes a focused and distraction-free learning environment during school hours. Therefore, we will continue to maintain our “no smart devices” policy on campus during the high school years. This policy is in place to support the development of self-discipline and habits of academic integrity among our students.
While personal smart devices such as phones and watches can be valuable tools outside of school hours, we believe that their presence during instructional time can detract from the learning experience and disrupt classroom dynamics. By limiting the use of personal smart devices on campus, we create an environment where students can fully engage in their studies and interact meaningfully with their peers and teachers.
'Useful' Skills
Will my student be taught useful skills like keyboarding or how to use Excel?
At Ascent Classical, our educational approach focuses on providing students with a comprehensive foundation that extends beyond mere technical skills. While keyboarding and proficiency with software programs like Excel are undoubtedly useful, our curriculum prioritizes the development of essential skills such as grammar, logic, rhetoric, self-discipline, numeracy, literacy, and analytical thinking. These core skills are fundamental to a Ascent Classical education and serve as the building blocks for success in various facets of life, including college, business, civic engagement, and personal relationships. By emphasizing these transferable skills, we equip our students with the tools they need to excel in any field they choose to pursue.
While we recognize the importance of technical skills, our high school curriculum is not designed to focus on teaching them. Instead, we encourage students to explore opportunities outside of the classroom to develop proficiency in areas such as keyboarding and software applications. We are happy to provide recommendations for summer classes and training sessions that can complement our curriculum and further enhance students’ skill sets.
Elective Classes
Will my student be able to take electives?
At Ascent Classical, our Hillsdale K-12 curriculum is carefully crafted to provide students with a comprehensive education in core academic disciplines. While our focus is on delivering a prescriptive and ordered curriculum in subjects such as mathematics, science, literature, and history, students will have the opportunity to take semester or year-long elective courses in art, music, theater, and physical education. These co-curricular elective options allow students to take full advantage of a classical education.