Our Dialectic Students participate in a wide range of classes.
Omnibus combines history and literature in a single course. Each year, students will focus on a specific time period and read classic texts to enhance their understanding of that era.
6th Grade: Ancient Near East, Greece, and Rome; Early Church
Omnibus is a general overview of the three cultures that formed Western civilization and that contributed to the growth and spread of Christianity, namely ancient Judaism, Greece, and Rome. Sixth grade focuses on their religious and political ideas by reading the histories of Herodotus and Livy. The course then provides an introduction to the primary literary forms by reading the epic poetry of The Odyssey and The Aeneid, before culminating in a study of the creation of the Early Church by reading the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
7th Grade: Medieval Europe, with a Northern Emphasis
Omnibus traces the spread of the Church through Europe and into England during the Middle Ages. Students read the Christian and chivalric literature of England (Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Canterbury Tales) and Scandinavia while studying the developing relationship and conflicts between the Monarchy and the Church.They conclude with reading The Lord of the Rings in its entirety while solidifying the virtues of the Medieval Era that we carry into the Modern Age.
8th Grade: The Modern West with an American Emphasis
Omnibus begins with the study of the English Reformation and the conflicts of Church and State in Britain that contribute to colonization of the New World. In doing so they read such classics as Great Expectations and Pride and Prejudice. The year continues with the study of America from its foundation to the end of the Cold War while students read The Great Gatsby, Fahrenheit 451, Call of the Wild, and other greats.
Our robust Science curriculum includes hands-on activities and comprehensive lab work to bring the topics students are learning to life.
6th grade: Students are introduced to Newtonian mechanics in Physical Science. Hands-on experience takes precedence, even as students begin to see the interaction and overlap between mathematics and science.
7th grade: Students engage with complex systems in Life Science, studying living things from individual cells up through human anatomy. The introduction of dissections means more responsibility and continued hands-on learning.
8th grade: Eighth grade is a course in Earth Science, which begins with the center of the earth and moves outward. Discussions include 19th and 20th century developments in our understanding of plate tectonics, paleontology, meteorology, and geochemistry. In the second semester, students study weather and climate, then move beyond to wonder about the solar system and space in a long unit on astronomy.
In Mathematics, students continue to build on what they have learned in grammar school by continuing the Math in Focus program into 6th grade. Next, our students use a Pre-Algebra textbook for 7th and limited chapters of an Algebra 1 textbook for 8th grade with the Glencoe/McGraw Hill curriculum sequence.
Our Dialectic Practicum courses combine the study of composition, grammar, and vocabulary to continue building the students’ writing skills. The course continues with the sequence of the Writing and Rhetoric curriculum to teach writing classically. Well Ordered Language and Our Mother Tongue provide a sturdy review of the grammar skills the students gained in grades 1-5, and Classical Roots Vocabulary allows the students to utilize their knowledge of Latin to study English vocabulary.
6th grade: Students learn to write Refutations and Confirmations.
7th grade: Students begin to write Encomiums and Vituperations.
8th grade: Students learn to write Comparisons and focus on writing for public speaking while also participating in an introduction to Logic.
In Dialectic Bible courses, students learn to read the Scriptures by looking to Christ as the Key to unlocking their meaning, in utter reliance on the Holy Spirit’s illumination and in light of the Great Tradition shared by Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox sisters and brothers.
6th grade: Old Testament I is the anchor of the dialectic Bible curriculum, laying the foundational themes of creation, fall and renewal. From Genesis to II Samuel, students follow the beginning of all things and God’s great story of redeeming a good world fallen into sin. From God’s redemption of Abram to His freeing His people from slavery in Egypt, to His giving them the gracious and loving law, to His rescuing them from their own rebellious idolatry, to His gift of King David, students see God’s unfolding plan of redemption.
7th grade: Old Testament II is devoted to the continuing story of God’s redemption of all things. Following Israel from the establishment of Solomon’s kingdom to the return from the exile (roughly I Kings through Malachi), students read along as Israel sinks deeper into idolatry and chaos, ever noting God’s severe mercy as spoken through the prophets of the latter half of the Old Testament.
8th grade: New Testament students experience the flowering of the story of creation, fall, and renewal planted in the previous Old Testament courses. Jesus of Nazareth, God Incarnate, the promised One of Old Testament types and shadow, has finally arrived. Students follow the story of Christ’s incarnation, life, death, resurrection, and ascension found in the Gospels and turn to the Book of Acts to follow the Church as she continues that work of redemption.Along the way, attention is given to the epistles and their reflections on the life of Christ.
All dialectic students at The Academy participate in Latin courses. The cycle initially begins in third grade and then starts again with the basics in 6th grade. By high school, many of The Academy’s Latin scholars earn national recognition for their academic achievements on the National Latin Exam.
Dialectic students also participate in electives. During grades 6-8, all traditional model students participate in Music and P.E. Blended model students may participate in Music and P.E. at an additional cost. Traditional students are also required to choose an elective. Elective choices vary from year to year, but always include Art, Theatre, and Debate. Blended students have the option to participate in electives, but it is not required.