Are you a dad? Maybe your wife recently approached you with the idea of homeschooling using Classical Conversations (CC). Or perhaps you came across Classical Conversations while researching homeschooling options for your family.
Either way, you likely have a lot of questions. Questions like, “What exactly is CC?”
“How does CC work?”
And—our favorite—“Why are so many families excited about this program?”
Discovering Classical Conversations
Classical Conversations is a classical, Christian homeschooling organization that provides resources and support to homeschooling families. Founded in 1997 by Leigh Bortins, a homeschool mom (and rocket scientist!), CC offers a curriculum built on the classical model of the trivium, which means “three roads” or “three ways.”
Some key aspects include:
Classical Christian Education
The program follows the classical trivium, which divides learning into three stages: grammar (elementary), logic (middle school), and rhetoric (high school).
Community-Based Learning
Families meet once a week in local communities to provide students with classroom experiences, presentations, and discussions. Trained Tutors model the skills of learning on community day.
Christ-Centered Worldview
The curriculum is taught from a Christ-centered perspective, integrating biblical principles and teachings throughout the strands.
Parent-Led Education
We firmly believe that parents are the first and best teachers of their children, and the family is Christ’s natural classroom. Our program provides resources, support, and training to help parents teach their children effectively.
Stage-Based Programs
Classical Conversations offers several programs designed to support homeschooling families throughout the different stages of a child’s education. These programs are designed to work together to provide a comprehensive classical, Christian education for homeschooling families. As students progress through the levels, they build upon the knowledge and skills (called strands —more on that later) acquired in previous years, ultimately developing into well-rounded, articulate, and logical thinkers prepared for higher education and beyond.
Classical Christian Education
Classical, Christian education is an approach that combines the time-tested methods of classical learning with a Christian worldview. This educational philosophy asserts that truth is objective, knowable, and rooted in the person of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge.
In contrast to relativistic modern educational approaches, classical Christian education affirms the existence of absolute truth. We hold that God has revealed Himself through His creation and His Word, the Bible, and that understanding this revelation is crucial for gaining a proper understanding of the world and our place in it.
The classical model of education, which has its roots in ancient Greece and Rome, focuses on developing a student’s intellectual and moral character through a three-stage process known as the trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. By moving through these stages, students learn to absorb, analyze, and articulate knowledge effectively.
Classical Conversations integrates this classical approach with a distinctly Christian worldview. The curriculum is designed to help students not only excel academically but also grow in their understanding of God and their relationship with Him. By studying various subjects through the lens of a Christ-centered perspective, students learn to recognize God’s hand in history, science, literature, and all areas of life.
Moreover, Classical Conversations places a strong emphasis on virtue and wisdom. The program seeks to cultivate character qualities such as integrity, humility, and compassion, recognizing that true education is not just about acquiring knowledge but also shaping the heart and soul.
By instilling these virtues and nurturing a love for wisdom, Classical Conversations aims to equip students to live lives of service to God and others.
Ultimately, the goal of classical, Christian education within the Classical Conversations framework is to produce well-rounded, logical persons who are grounded in truth, able to articulate their beliefs, and prepared to make a positive impact on the world for the glory of God. This approach to education is a means of fulfilling the biblical mandate to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6) and to prepare students to “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Community-Based Learning
One of the most appealing aspects of Classical Conversations is the emphasis on community. Homeschooling can sometimes feel isolating, but CC members meet weekly in local communities led by licensed Directors and supported by trained Tutors. These community days provide a rich learning experience for students of all ages:
- Presentations: Students have opportunities to practice public speaking skills and share what they’ve learned.
- Science and Fine Arts: Hands-on projects in science and fine arts encourage exploration and creativity.
- Classical Learning Skills: Using CC’s Christ-centered curriculum, students practice the classical learning skills of grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric.
Parents also benefit from the community aspect, receiving support, training, and the opportunity to learn alongside their children.
Programs and Strands
Classical Conversations offers programs for students from preschool through high school:
- Scribblers (ages 4–8): A family-centered resource to introduce classical education.
- Foundations (ages 4–12): Building the foundational skills of learning.
- Essentials (ages 9–12): Bridging from Foundations to the Challenge years.
- Challenge (ages 12–18): Developing Christian leaders ready to face the world.
Each program is designed to build upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive and cohesive educational journey.
Also, we mentioned strands earlier. So . . . what’s a strand?
Classical education is about more than discrete subjects. First and foremost, the model is about the skills of learning, emphasizing how to learn over what to learn.
And so our curriculum is organized by skills, and these skills are called strands. While practicing each strand, students will encounter subjects such as math, literature, Latin, history, chemistry, and so on.
The goal of CC is to equip parents to educate their children from pre-k through high school, helping them reach their God-given potential. Our programs are rooted in the belief that parents are entrusted by God to teach their children, with the family as the natural setting for learning.
Equipping Parents as Educators
One of the unique aspects of Classical Conversations is the emphasis on equipping parents to be their child’s best teacher, even if they don’t have a background in classical education themselves. We provide parents with the skills, tools, and training they need to learn the classical model and implement it with their children.
This approach recognizes the idea that education truly is a family journey, with parents and children learning and growing together. It also underscores the Christian foundation of the program, as parents are empowered to shape their children’s hearts and minds according to biblical principles.
Exploring Classical Conversations
For families considering homeschooling with Classical Conversations, there are many resources available to learn more about this approach. From free ebooks to blog posts by experienced CC homeschool parents, these resources offer insight and encouragement for those embarking on the classical Christian homeschooling journey.
While homeschooling is a significant responsibility, Classical Conversations provides a roadmap, accountability, community support, and a Christ-centered curriculum to help parents like you educate their children with confidence. If you’re seeking a comprehensive, faith-based approach to education, Classical Conversations is worth exploring.
