Seven Years of Study
Seven days into our Founders’ Fundraising Campaign - seven years of study in an integrated classical curriculum.
The Chesterton Schools Network writes in its Course Catalogue that “… a curriculum must provide content that is deep, rich, and broad. It must celebrate all that is true and beautiful, and it must neglect nothing of God’s creation. It must encompass math, science, languages, the humanities, and the arts. It must be a coherent education; one that celebrates the unity of faith and reason and that teaches students how to think and how to learn.” Outlined below is how the curriculum of the Mandan Classical Academy and the curriculum of the Chesterton Academy of Mandan flow and move to guide students to the right order of things.
Year 1 - Sixth Grade: The Ancient World
Our middle school curriculum is designed to prepare students to think, discuss, study, and write as those at the Chesterton Academy of Mandan will be expected to. The middle school curriculum provides context for their high school studies. For instance, before studying high school history they would begin with a more basic outline of historical events and people; before reading Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey in ninth grade, students would learn older Greek myths; or before turning to high school mathematics, they would begin with Pre-algebra and Algebra I.
Year 2 - Seventh Grade: The Medieval World
Our middle school curriculum involves foundational learning in the trivium. Before turning to Latin in high school, students would study three years of English grammar; before reading the great philosophic works, they would learn three years of logic; before turning to oratory and debate, they would study basic composition, giving them a firm command of rhetoric. This is studied in the seventh grade through the context of the medieval world and an introduction to the great thinkers of this period.
Year 3 - Eighth Grade: The Modern World
Above all, in the middle school, the Theology curriculum begins with the Baltimore Catechism, the Gospels, the Great Adventure Bible, and early Church history. This three-year formation will prepare students for the more rigorous theological studies in high school, and, overall, it will contribute greatly to their intellectual and spiritual formation. In eighth grade, the modern world is considered, and the timeless truths are applied to our time and those who formed it.
Year 4 - Freshman Year: The Ancient World
Freshmen revisit the ancient world their freshmen year and discover it anew as they delve deeper into the beginning of things. Freshmen read Homer, Aeschylus, and Virgil, and are introduced to Plato and Aristotle. Students are taking Latin and beginning to lead seminars with their peers.
Year 5 - Sophomore Year: The Medieval Period
Sophomores once again dive into familiar waters as the consider the Medieval period again. In addition to Choir and Art, which they began studying as freshmen, sophomores study debate and put on their first play.
Year 6 - Junior Year: High Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Juniors study the works written during the middle ages, Renaissance, and periods between in their History and English classes. In addition, they have the option to study a modern language or continue in their Latin studies. Students are studying Chemistry in their Science coursework and Pre-Calculus in their Mathematics class.
Year 7 - Senior Year: The Modern Man
Seniors continue their studies in all areas, putting on their third play and going deeper into their humanities, mathematics, and science studies. Each year of high school, they have also been reading some of the works of G.K. Chesterton. As seniors, they read his great work, one that has drawn many to the Catholic faith, The Everlasting Man. As students prepare to graduate and pursue their next steps, they are reminded of their place in the sequence of timeless truths they have studied. They are members of Christ’s church, called to love and serve others in the image and likeness of their creator, and to give Him glory, world without end. Amen.
Learn more about our curriculum here.
If you would like to support our work, join the Memorare Army or give to our Founder’s Fundraising Campaign. From April 7 to May 29, the first $20,000 will be matched dollar for dollar. https://www.chestertonmandan.org/donate
If you are interested in joining our school community, inquire to join our waitlist or apply today. https://www.chestertonmandan.org/admissions
