Course Recommendations by Age/Grade

COURSE RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGE/GRADE In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we seek a true classical Catholic education, while simultaneously satisfying the requirements of modern education laws. As these are two separate streams of learning, they are best kept separate, with the modern requirements being completed in an efficient manner that does not crowd out the more important studies. In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we work to complete both classical Catholic and modern studies. I. PRIMARY STUDIES (AGES 6-14, GRADES 1-8) In the Catholic Church, children are said to reach the "age of Reason" around age 7, which is why the sacraments of Penance and First Communion are administered at this time. Likewise, in ancient times, a student aged 6-14 was considered a child (παις) and the "childish" education given was called paideia (παιδεια). The focus of this period in classical education was on physical development through "Gymnastics", cultural development through Music, and academic development through Grammar. Gymnastics and Music continued throughout a student's education and parents are encouraged to provide for these through private, local activities. GRADE K (AGES 3-6) PTY-001 Petty School Reading PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-011 Baltimore Catechism 0 THL-151 Lives of the Saints ELA-091 Handwriting I ELA-000 English Reading K ELA-020 Elementary Literature K MAT-011 Modern Arithmetic I GRADE 01 (AGES 6-7) TRV-111 Latin Reading I PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I ELA-091 Handwriting I ELA-001 English Reading 1 ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-021 Elementary Literature 1 MAT-011 Modern Arithmetic I SCI-171 Elementary Science 1 GRADE 02 (AGES 7-8) ELA-091 Handwriting I ELA-002 English Reading 2 ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-022 Elementary Literature 2 MAT-011 Modern Arithmetic I SCI-172 Elementary Science 2 TRV-111 Latin Reading I PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 03 (AGES 8-9) ELA-094 Handwriting IV ELA-003 English Reading 3 ELA-101 Elementary Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-023 Elementary Literature 3 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-121 Modern Arithmetic II SCI-173 Elementary Science 3 PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 04 (AGES 9-10) ELA-094 Handwriting IV ELA-004 English Reading 4 ELA-101 Elementary Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-024 Elementary Literature 4 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-121 Modern Arithmetic II SCI-174 Elementary Science 4 HUM-101 World Chronology PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 05 (AGES 10-11) ELA-101 Elementary Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-025 Elementary Literature 5 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-151 Modern Arithmetic III MAT-141 Elementary Geometry SCI-175 Elementary Science 5 HUM-101 World Chronology HUM-112 Elementary Geography PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-111 Baltimore Catechism I THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 6 (AGES 11-12) ELA-006 English Reading 6 ELA-101 Elementary Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-026 Elementary Literature 6 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-151 Modern Arithmetic III MAT-141 Elementary Geometry SCI-176 Elementary Science 6 HUM-101 World Chronology HUM-112 Elementary Geography PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-100 Catholic Bible I THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 07 (AGES 12-13) TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-027 Elementary Literature 7 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-261 Pre-Algebra (OS) MAT-141 Elementary Geometry SCI-177 Elementary Science 7 HUM-101 World Chronology HUM-212 Ancient Geography PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-200 Catholic Bible II THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 08 (AGES13-14) TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar ELA-100 English Spelling ELA-028 Elementary Literature 8 TRV-110 Latin Vocabulary TRV-111 Latin Reading I (Optional) MAT-261 Pre-Algebra (OS) MAT-141 Elementary Geometry SCI-201 Introduction to Science HUM-101 World Chronology HUM-212 Ancient Geography PHL-101 Aesop's Fables THL-200 Catholic Bible II THL-211 Baltimore Catechism II THL-151 Lives of the Saints II. SECONDARY STUDIES (AGES 14-18, GRADES 9-12) Historically, age 14 was recognized as the time when a boy (παις) became a lad (μειρακιον), and his education advanced to a new level until he became a young man (ἐφηβος) at age 18. It was at this time, age 14, that King Philip of Macedon arranged for Aristotle to tutor his son, Alexander. In the Catholic Church, we find the sacrament of Confirmation taking place at this time. In medieval times, students could move to the University at this time. Academically, a student needs to take responsibility for his own studies, and work as hard as possible to make year-round progress. GRADE 09 (AGES 14-15) TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar HUM-321 Classical Greek Literature TRV-111 Latin Reading I TRV-221 Latin Grammar I MAT-321 Elementary Algebra (OS) SCI-301 Modern Biology (OS) HUM-301 World History TRV-351 Classical Logic TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic QRV-321 Classical Geometry PHL-311 Classical Ethics PHL-321 Classical Physics PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics THL-351+ Sacred Scripture THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 10 (AGES 15-16) TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar HUM-322 Roman Literature TRV-121 Latin Reading II TRV-321 Latin Gramar II (Syntax) MAT-341 Intermediate Algebra (OS) SCI-302 Modern Physics (OS) HUM-301 World History TRV-351 Classical Logic TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic QRV-321 Classical Geometry I PHL-311 Classical Ethics PHL-321 Classical Physics PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics THL-351+ Sacred Scripture THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 11 (AGES 16-17) TRV-351 Classical Logic TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar HUM-323 English Literature TRV-311 Latin Reading III TRV-321 Latin Grammar II MAT-411 Pre-Calculus (OS) SCI-403 Modern Chemistry (OS) HUM-311 American History QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic QRV-321 Classical Geometry I PHL-311 Classical Ethics PHL-321 Classical Physics PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics THL-351+ Sacred Scripture THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church THL-151 Lives of the Saints GRADE 12 (AGES 17-18) TRV-351 Classical Logic TRV-361 Classical Rhetoric TRV-301 English Composition TRV-201 Classical Grammar HUM-324 American Literature TRV-411 Latin Reading IV TRV-421 Latin Grammar III MAT-441 Calculus I SCI-404 Modern Astronomy (OS) or SCI-405 Anatomy and Physiology (OS) HUM-421 American Government QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic QRV-321 Classical Geometry I PHL-311 Classical Ethics PHL-321 Classical Physics PHL-331 Classical Metaphysics THL-351+ Sacred Scripture THL-451+ Catechism of the Catholic Church THL-151 Lives of the Saints III. ADULT STUDIES (AGES 18+) Adult students are welcome to study all courses at levels 100 and above. To get started, we recommend the following courses. RECOMMENDED COURSES FOR ADULTS TRV-111 Latin Reading I TRV-371 Classical Reasoning I TRV-381 Classical Rhetoric QRV-311 Classical Arithmetic PHL-311 Aristotle, Ethics THL-321 Summa Theologica I ON STUDY AND ADULT RESPONSIBILITY Classical study cannot be approached as a casual interest. For adults, success depends on establishing a deliberate and orderly life–living according to a rule that serves a clear end. Study must become a regular (i.e., by the rule) activity within the structure of daily responsibilities, including family, work, health, and religious obligations. This requires that time be taken from other forms of leisure and redirected toward study. While modern entertainment offers passive diversion, classical education offers intellectual engagement. The time available is limited; adults must choose how to use it. Study should become the principal form of adult leisure. An hour of concentrated study each day, consistently maintained, will yield meaningful progress over time. The gains of classical study will come from consistent study over a long period of time. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULTS 1. Establish a Daily Study Routine: Set aside a fixed time each day for study. 2. Work in a Quiet Space: A dedicated location, free from distraction, supports sustained attention. 3. Maintain Order in Other Duties: Study does not excuse negligence in family or professional life. Duties must be kept in order. 4. Keep an Ongoing Journal of Studies: Keep a record of readings, definitions, questions, and observations. This supports retention and reflection. 5. Review Regularly: Revisit earlier material to reinforce knowledge and identify progress. Retaking quizzes provides an excellent means of review. 6. Communicate: Post questions and comments on the course forums in the Academy Study Center. There is fellowship available for this journey. 7. Be Patient: True learning is accomplished through formal study combined with life experience. Take your time and aim to be a wise old man who can be useful to others later in life.