Classical Christian Education | Summit Christian Academy

What is classical christian education?

Classical Christian education aims to establish Christian paideia by cultivating culturally-engaged Christ followers who are faithful servants, eloquent communicators, and intellectually curious. Rooted in the Seven Liberal Arts, this education emphasizes virtue formation, the pursuit of the true, good, and beautiful, and the ordering of students’ affections.

Christian Paideia

PASSING ON WHAT MATTERS MOST

For the ancient Greeks, education was rooted in the concept of paideia. Paideia is the process of establishing children in the traditions of a society with the hope of forming and sustaining a strong, flourishing culture. Education was not merely about the transfer of information, but about shaping the whole person toward what was considered true, good, and beautiful.

As Christians, we know that such formation is impossible apart from the gospel (Romans 12:2). Scripture teaches that the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever (1 Corinthians 10:30, 1 Peter 4:11, Psalm 37:4, Philippians 4:4), and that every human life possesses inherent dignity because each person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Christians are called to make disciples (Matthew 28:18–20), shaping both individuals and culture for God’s glory. With these truths in mind, classical Christian education forms students’ hearts and minds toward their ultimate end and, in doing so, establishes Christian Paideia.

We are commanded to “train up a child in the way he should go,” with the promise that when he is old, he “will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Christian Paideia sees education as the means to form virtuous students who not only flourish academically, but also socially and spiritually. When children are discipled in the truth of Scripture, they become virtuous students who love God and habitually choose what is true, good, and beautiful. Biblically-centered virtue orders our affections (the things we love) in a way that glorifies God and points us and our community to the gospel.

Summit Christian Academy seeks to engage in the spread of Christian Paideia by preparing students academically, socially, and spiritually, equipping them to discern truth, articulate their faith, and serve others for the glory of Jesus Christ. We believe that an education at Summit Christian Academy results in flourishing human beings as outlined in our Portrait of a Graduate. (Link to POG page). By God’s grace, the men and women who graduate from Summit will be culturally engaged Christ-followers who are eloquent communicators, intellectually curious, and faithful servants.

Education As Formation

EDUCATION THAT FORMS HEARTS AND MINDS

Aristotle said, “We are what we do repeatedly. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Virtue is not simply about knowing what is right, but is about cultivating the habits that lead to knowing what is true, doing what is good, and loving what is beautiful. At Summit, education is a formative process, training students to pursue and love the right things with both heart and mind. Therefore, a Biblical worldview and virtue formation are essential to our curriculum.

Biblical Worldview

Jesus Christ is preeminent in all of life (Colossians 1:15–18); therefore, every aspect of our lives and learning must be viewed through a biblical lens. Our worldview shapes how we understand God, creation, humanity, and our purpose, making the formation of a biblical worldview essential to Christian Paideia. Because all knowledge, truth, and wisdom flow from God and are revealed through His Word (Proverbs 2:6; Colossians 2:3), the Bible serves as our ultimate source of Truth. Truth is knowable and not relative, revealed through God’s general revelation in creation and fully through Scripture (Psalm 119; Matthew 22:37).

For this reason, biblical integration is central to a classical Christian education. Subjects are taught as parts of an integrated whole with Scripture at the center, encouraging students to view every area of study and life through the lens of the Bible. By fostering a biblical worldview, we seek to prepare students to live lives that honor God, serve others, and uphold biblical values.

Virtue Formation

God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Therefore, while students are encouraged to pursue excellence in academics (Col 3:23), the measure of success is not in the externals, but in quality of character. Summit Christian Academy believes that education forms the hearts and minds of students. In close association with parents, the school is committed to equipping students for earthly and eternal success based on the following seven classical virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice, Fortitude, Faith, Hope, and Love.

seven classical virtues

The seven classical virtues are commonly broken into two groups: the cardinal virtues and the theological virtues. In Latin, the word cardinal means “the hinge of a door.” These four virtues (Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and Fortitude) are pivotal, much like the hinge of a door. They are also intricately connected, meaning it is difficult to truly display one without the other three.

What is prudence?

Prudence is practical wisdom, or wisdom in action. We display prudence when we show intentional forethought about the actions we are taking as well as the result that will come from those actions.

What is temperance?

Temperance is going to the right length, and no further, specifically when it comes to our desires and the things in which we find pleasure. We display temperance when we find the appropriate balance between desire and self-control.

What is Justice?

Justice is giving every person what they are owed and treating everyone as an equal child of God. We display justice when we are truthful, keep our promises, and are straightforward with one another.

What is Fortitude?

Fortitude is the courage to face dangers in spite of our fears and to remain committed under the pressure of pain and suffering. We display fortitude when we stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.

What is Faith?

Faith, according to Hebrews 11:1 is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith is not defined by feelings or emotions. We can display faith by holding fast to the promises of God, even when it is not easy or advantageous to do so.

What is Hope?

Hope is displayed by David in Psalm 27:14 when he “waited patiently for the Lord.” Godly hope brings us through trials and moves us towards confidence. We can display hope by not simply longing for something temporary, but by being rooted in an eternal perspective.

What is Love?

Love is defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as being “patient and kind, not envying or boasting, and not arrogant or rude.” Additionally, John reminds us in 1 John 4:7 that love is “a gift from God”. We can display love by remembering that God first loved us, and as image bearers of Him, we should also love sacrificially.