The School of Rhetoric at Grace Academy consists of grades 9-12. As with the other two schools within Grace Academy, the School of Rhetoric can be described in terms of its teaching method (pedagogy), curriculum, and culture.

Teaching Method (Pedagogy)

The third and final stage of the Triv­ium, Rhetoric, is perfectly tailored to the “Poetic,” the final stage of intellectual develop­ment.  In Rhetoric, students use their dialectical skills, and their newly discovered rhetorical skills, to rigorously formulate, de­velop, express, and communicate their own perspectives, with a view to persuading others.

The Rhetoric students continue to hone their dialectical skills, but now add to them the skills of rhetoric as well.  Aristotle famously defined Rhetoric as “the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion."  The Rhetoric students are introduced to various aspects of the Progymnasmata, preparatory exercises for the doing of rhetoric.  They create beautifully crafted essays, research papers, poems, and speeches.  They engage in readers’ theater and debates, as well as re-reenactment of critical historical events, sometimes with their own creative writing thrown in.  The main thrust of the Rhetoric pedagogy is to prepare students to present their own views winsomely, so as to persuade their hearers/audience to adopt their point of view.

The crowning achievement of a Rhetoric student’s academic career at Grace Academy is the Senior Thesis.  The Senior Thesis is a student's final opportunity in the School of Rhetoric to improve his/her critical thinking, research, and rhetorical abilities by preparing, presenting, and defending a substantive argument on a debatable question. It is the culmination of academic formation and training in grammar, dialectic and rhetoric. The paper and the defense process provide excellent training in the rhetorical skills of invention, arrangement and delivery, which serve a student well in the college experience.

In one sense, the Senior Thesis is nothing more than another term paper, many of which have already been written during a Grace Academy career. However, students are expected to prepare the thesis as formal proof of learning and skill, presenting the very best and, perhaps, the most lengthy essay they will write. While there is no minimum or maximum length, most theses are fifteen to twenty-five pages in length. The process of research and writing is supplemented by regular consultation with the Senior Thesis Director and other members of a student's faculty committee.

Curriculum

Like the Schools of Grammar and Logic, the Rhetoric curriculum is challenging, but well within the reach of students with average ability who put forth reasonable effort.  All humanities courses are now integrated within the Omnibus.  History courses are now more in-depth and include Ancient, Medieval/Early Renaissance, and Late Renaissance/Modern.  Selections from the literature and theology of those time periods are also studied, as are English grammar and composition.  The students continue their study of Latin through 9th grade and then may choose to continue studying Latin, including AP Latin, or they may opt to take Spanish 1 and 2 or even Biblical Greek.  Science offerings include Chemistry and AP Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology and Physics.  Mathematics courses include Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Cal/Trig, and Calculus.  Students also take courses in formal Rhetoric: Rhetoric 1 and 2, with Apologetics as a preparatory course.  Finally, students enjoy a respite from their more academic studies with their Fine Arts, P.E. courses or Athletics.  To view a chart listing the current courses in the School of Rhetoric, click the following link: Scope and Sequence

Culture

The culture of the School of Rhetoric is one of order, peace, courtesy, and enthusiasm. Families and students who come to Grace Academy are interviewed and screened to ensure that respectful, courteous behavior is both taught at home and supported in the school.  Our school and classroom behavior guidelines are clear and enforced so that students are secure in an environment that is safe and predictable, even while being lively and robust.

Curriculum Goals

The Board of Trustees has established the following general academic goals for Grace Academy:

Christian:

1. Develop Christian worldview thinking, so that students learn to evaluate their entire range of experience in light of Scripture.

2. Encourage every student to begin and develop his relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ.

3. Provide a clear model of biblical Christian life and culture.

Classical:

1. Teach all subjects as part of an integrated whole with Scripture at the center.

2. Emphasize the tools of learning - grammar, logic and rhetoric - in all subject matter.

3. Emphasize the development and flow of western civilization - history, science, government, art, literature, philosophy and the historic Protestant faith.