Curriculum

Classical education is about utilizing a philosophically integrated approach to learning the different subjects in school.

To be Classical means a lot of things, but one in particular is that you teach English-grammar utilizing the “Trivium”, or the three liberal arts of “Grammar”, “Logic”, and “Rhetoric”. The most important (and differentiating) component of this is the study of Logic.

What does it mean to think? How does thinking work? How does thinking relate to communication (i.e. reading, writing, and speaking)?

The mind does three things: it names things, it states things, and it concludes things. The study of Logic has three sub-branches: the study of definitions (Naming things); the study of propositions (Stating things); the study of syllogisms (Concluding things). Logic is the foundation of both grammar and math in a Classical school, and Crown of Thorns is utilizing this framework because it is the best, and most intuitive, way to teach students grammar AND math.

Studies have found that boys respond great to competition—and that they report loving it. Coming from all-boys schools, we (the founders, A.J. Barker & Colin Faust) witnessed the positive effect competition has in an all-boys classroom. Whether it is competition over activities, quizzes, or tests, boys get locked in and attention and enthusiasm improves.

In addition to in-classroom competition, we will be utilizing a school-wide competition method that is prominent on the East Coast at all-boys schools. On Friday, once a month, we’ll have all-school competitions where the different “Houses” (different Houses made up of students from different grades) compete against each other in an array of competitive forms. One month it may be a chess tournament; another it may be a quiz bowl; another it may be a spelling competition; another may be a physical competition, like tug-of-war or an obstacle course. We want our boys to learn to challenge themselves and embrace challenge under many different forms.

Lower School (Grades 1-4) will have one set of competitions, focusing more on collaboration and problem solving—competitions designed to encourage participation and enjoyment for boys in the 6-10 year old age range. Middle School (Grades 5-8) will have another set of competitions, focusing more on the competitive aspect of whatever contest is being had, encouraging the attention and challenge that is deeply satisfying for boys in the 10-14 year old range.

But why isn’t competition in other, co-ed, schools? The answer is in the studies as well: girls are generally demotivated by competition. They voice valuing friendship over competition in self-responses; their interest and performance decreases when something is made a competition with their peers.

At Crown of Thorns Academy we’re focused on doing the things that will facilitate boys learning and motivation—and we’re going with what’s been scientifically proven to do that.

Boys need physical activity—not just for the sake of their bodies; for the sake of their minds too. Boys learn better when they get sufficient physical activity. Their moods are better. Their attention is stronger. Boys are more medicated than girls for attention disorders—but when they have sufficient physical activity, they not only have less difficulty paying attention, they get better at paying attention.

At Crown of Thorns Academy every boy will have Phy. Ed. for one-hour, 3-out-of-every-4 days, along with recess every day, and a homeroom that will facilitate further physical activity. We want to mix and match the different genres of physical activity: free play (recess); structured play (homeroom); and physical exertion (Phy. Ed.). Doing so allows boys to thrive to their greatest potential, inside the classroom, outside the classroom, and in their homes with all of you.

Daily Mass is one of the most beautiful opportunities we have at Crown of Thorns Academy. Daily Mass is typically between 20-30 minutes long (that is, it’s much quicker than a Sunday Mass). Coming before the Lord in the mass is “right and just”—that is, it is the greatest thing we can do, and it is a proper act of justice. It rightly orients us toward God, objectively—regardless of what our subjective experience of it is at one time or another. Our boys will not just learn what it means to be rightly ordered toward God, they will actually be rightly ordered toward God through the daily experience of Mass.

Additionally, having experienced the effect of daily mass on grade students, Founder A.J. Barker notes that, “Daily Mass helps kids strengthen their ability to focus and gives rest to their souls. Not a few students, far from what parents expected, reported daily mass as their favorite part of the day. They don’t always consciously know why, but students as young as Kindergartners benefitted infinitely from daily participation in Mass.” At Crown of Thorns Academy, we’re placing the greatest emphasis on the thing that is most important in any person’s life, not to mention student’s life: a living relationship with Christ in the Mass.

Adding Daily Mass into the mix, students experience another form of rest: spiritual rest. Combined with the arts, phy. ed., and ample recess time, our boys will experience what having a soul in profound balance feels like.