Rhetoric School
Providence launched the Rhetoric school in the 2022/23 school year beginning with ninth grade. We will offer tenth grade for 2023/24 and continue adding eleventh and twelfth grade in subsequent years, Lord willing.
The curriculum builds on what students have learned in the grammar and logic schools, teaching them to think and articulate concepts to others in a persuasive and eloquent manner.
Mr. Paul Jellema is our lead Rhetoric school teacher along with Rev. Daniel Svendsen, Shari Spoolstra, and Robin McMurray.
Learn more at the links below or by contacting us. We'd love to answer any questions or schedule a visit.
The application is available on our website under Admissions.
Why do you refer to grades 9-12 as Rhetoric School?
Classical education acknowledges 3 stages in learning: Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric. Grades 9 (or 10) through 12 make up this last stage. Simply put, it is the stage where the students are now ready to outwardly express and apply by written and spoken word, with wisdom, the facts and information they have learned/memorized (Grammar Stage) and have come to understand after much critical thinking (Logic Stage)
How is this different from other Christian High Schools in the area?
It is very similar in the subjects studied, however the methodology in which it is taught is different from other 9-12 grade schools. A Rhetoric school is meant to take everything you have learned from K-8 and now instruct the students how they may use and share the knowledge in an applicable way. A quick idea of the classical method regarding grades 9-12 is that we take the knowledge (grammar grades K-6) now understood (logic grades 7-8/9) and being transmitted outwards as wisdom (rhetoric grades 9/10-12).
My child has not learned Latin. Will it interfere with their high school education?
No. We offer Greek as a classical language course. We do this so that our children may learn to read the original language scripture to gain a better understanding of the truths of the Bible, as well as the Greek classics. If your child already knows Latin this may help but will not be required.
Why are you not offering STEM or STEAM classes?
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is a way to integrate the before mentioned disciplines into specific class. “The idea of STEM is a classical one. STEM refers to the integration of science and mathematics with an eye to practical uses in technology or engineering. The idea is to use mathematical models to understand real data from science, applied to solving modern problems—something we should easily be able to picture ancient Greek natural philosophers and engineers doing, not to mention the practical Romans with their aqueducts, plumbing, advanced road systems and architectural marvels. STEAM goes the full way and includes the arts, just like the classical quadrivium included music.” (Jason Barney, Clapham School). You can also visit classicalchristian.org/stem-vs-classicalscience for a more in depth comparison.