The Trivium & Classical Tools

The Trivium: The Three Stages of Classical Education

Haw River Christian Academy provides an education that uniquely develops the minds and shapes the souls of students from their first day of kindergarten until their graduation day. The classical, Christian educational model is formative beyond the classroom. It is intentionally designed to develop a scholarly mind with the ability to learn, discern, and participate with God’s personal calling for each student’s life.

The classical teaching tools, associated with each stage of the Trivium, align with the natural development of how children learn.

“The Trivium provides the tools of learning, Scripture and the classics furnish the core content, and biblical truth is the fixed point of reference.  The Trivium is the hammer, the classics are the wood, and the Bible is the ruler.”
– Gregg Strawbridge

GRAMMAR

Kindergarten – 6th Grade

Children love to discover and are naturally wired to absorb information.

 KNOWLEDGE

LOGIC

7th – 9th Grade

Students like to question ideas, make connections, and express opinions.

UNDERSTANDING

RHETORIC

10th – 12th Grade

Young adults are eager to achieve independence and find purpose.

WISDOM

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! – Psalm 111:10