Frequently Asked Questions
My children haven’t had any Latin. Can they still transition into Tall Oaks?
Yes! Every year we have students entering Tall Oaks after third grade who have no Latin background. To introduce Latin to new students, we offer summer Latin classes at both the grammar school and the upper school levels. (Parents are welcome to take the summer Latin courses, too!) Our teachers will help new students do the extra work necessary to catch up to their classmates in Latin.
What is classical education?
The classical method of instruction recognizes three levels of learning and thinking, together known as the Trivium. These three are the Grammar, the Dialectic, and the Rhetoric stages, corresponding to the Biblical terms knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
When we learn a new subject, we must first learn its grammar, that is, the basic facts and rules that form its foundation. At Tall Oaks, we emphasize the grammar of each subject from kindergarten through sixth grade, a time when children, because of their stage of development, enjoy memorizing information in chants, songs and other repetitive activities. We teach spelling and reading with a strong phonics-based program that teaches the students why words are spelled the way they are. Our students learn to write by imitating good writing. They learn the foundations of mathematics, a basic chronology of history, English grammar, Latin, (beginning in third grade), and a survey of the Bible.
When the grammar of a subject is learned, we can go on to the Dialectic Stage, in which we apply reason to the facts we have learned in order to see inter-relationships, understand cause and effect, and analyze arguments. Although we teach logical thinking and analytical reasoning at all ages, we emphasize these skills and teach formal logic and debate in the middle school years. We teach our students to construct good arguments and to detect fallacious ones. We seek to develop in our students a Biblical worldview that is consistent with the truth that God reveals. Whether the subject being taught is mathematics, science, literature, geography or the arts, we help our students develop an integrated understanding of God and His creation.
The capstone of a classical education is reached in the high school years, when our students learn the rhetorical skills that allow them to master a subject and communicate it to others. They learn to conduct research, form their own conclusions, and effectively and persuasively communicate their understanding. The leaders of every field have reached this level of learning, which we call the Rhetoric stage. By the time our students reach high school, they are developmentally ready to begin formal training in rhetoric, and to practice applying that training in all their subjects. We give them opportunities to hone their rhetorical skills through written work, including major theses in their junior and senior years, as well as oral presentations. They learn to defend their faith humbly and intelligently. They develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed in higher education or to tackle any subject they want or need to learn. They are equipped to be lifetime learners and leaders.
To learn more about classical education, please read An Introduction to Classical Education by Christopher A. Perrin, M. Div., Ph.D or The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers.
Does Tall Oaks accept children with learning disabilities?
Tall Oaks does not offer special education services. However, students with mild disabilities who can function well in a regular classroom are welcome to apply for enrollment. We will make reasonable accommodation for special needs while upholding our school’s standards.
What is the purpose of entrance testing?
We use our entrance testing to place students in the grade in which they are most likely to thrive. Entrance testing is also used to identify areas that could use some extra work to make the transition to our school easier. For example, many students come to us with less exposure to English grammar than our students. Entrance testing will identify this concern so the student can enroll in a summer class and catch up with his classmates.
Does Tall Oaks Classical School accept only above-average students?
Sometimes when families visit Tall Oaks and see the achievement of our students, they assume that we only accept children of above average ability and worry whether their children will be able to keep up. Although our students have the advantage of coming from families that make the education of their children an important priority, they are blessed with the normal range of abilities that one would find in most schools. We use our entrance testing, not to select only the most gifted students, but to place students in the proper grade and to identify any areas that could use some extra work to make a transition to our school easier. Our goal is to bring the best out of students throughout the range of normal abilities. You will be amazed at what your child can achieve at Tall Oaks!