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In an educational system dominated by numbers and performance, we see your child for who they are rather than what they can do.
Classical & Christian Education
why we believe in a
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Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Lexington is a beautiful community with a wealth of resources for families. Nearby Washington & Lee University, Virginia Military Institute and Southern Virginia University draw quite a few families to this area.
We started St. George Classical School as a way to build upon the wealth of resources in this area. A classical education aims to lead students to excellence in both the moral and academic life.
It is our desire to foster a lifelong love of learning and to prepare students for a life of meaning and intellectual independence.
Our goal is not to form and shape students that can do something but rather people that can be someone.
In many schools, education has shifted to a utilitarian model focused on technology, college and career readiness and financial success.
While we don't believe any of those things are bad in and of themselves, at St. George, we don't believe that a child's success can be reduced to numbers or letters on a report card.
We measure success by the type of students that graduate from our school. Our aim is to foster wisdom, humility, creativity and a lifelong love of learning.
in a world dominated by numbers, we're going back to the fundamentals.
While the main objective of a classical education is not to increase academic performance, that is typically a bi-product.
Students who attend classical schools tend to outperform non-classical students on tests like the PSAT, SAT, and ACT. College acceptance rates at classical high schools tend to be higher as well.
Students who graduate from classical schools leave with a sense of civic responsibilities, virtue and a firm understanding of their place in the world.
If you're worried about whether your child will be successful at our school, please reach out. While there may be some exceptions, any student with the desire to succeed can be successful at a classical school.
What about test scores?
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Encourages a school culture marked by wisdom, humility, and kindness, guided by teachers who model a life that is joyful and respectful of others.
Engages students intellectually at each level, so that they achieve academic excellence as they work to master the skills of learning.
Inspires students to acquire the virtues (Prudence, Justice, Temperance, Fortitude, crowned by Faith, Hope, and Love) through the inspirational stories and prayers of great Christian men and women.
At St. George we aim to support parents in their educational responsibility with a curriculum that:
we believe in elevating
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- Charlotte Mason
“To introduce children to literature is to install them in a very rich and glorious kingdom, to bring a continual holiday to their doors, to lay before them a feast exquisitely served.”
Most Modern Educators...
Believe in excellence. We take each student to their highest possible potential.
Classical Difference?
what is the
Classical Christian Educators
Believe every student should attain the same level of achievement.
vs.
Believe faith and education are connected and necessary to train thoughtful students.
Hold the 'spiritual' as personal and separate from education. They avoid deeper philosophical issues.
vs.
Most Modern Educators...
Classical Christian Educators
Believe in moral absolutes. Standards of right and wrong exist in all subject areas. Students are taught to make judgments accordingly.
Are values neutral. They believe all moral positions are relative and hence all positions must be equally treated.
vs.
Most Modern Educators...
Classical Christian Educators
Teach critical thinking. Students learn to think beyond subject-matter. Content is not the goal - wisdom is.
Focus on facts and functional skills. Students primarily learn about subjects, particularly ones that help them 'get good jobs.'
vs.
Most Modern Educators...
Classical Christian Educators
Hold to educational standards that have a clear record of success and weighing all new methods in the ancient balance.
Are progressive. Always experimenting with new techniques and methods.
vs.
Most Modern Educators...
Classical Christian Educators
All of the arts culuminate in Philosophy & Theology
Faith
Math, Sciences, & Music
The Quadrivium
Grammar, Logic, & Rhetoric
The Trivium
Classical Curriculum
the parts of a
- Grammar teaches the fundamental elements and ideas of a subject
- Logic develops the mechanics of thought and analysis in a student
- Rhetoric trains the student how to use language to persuade a listener
Until recently, this is how students were taught. Regardless of whether a child pursues a degree that requires rigorous coursework or whether they jump straight into a career after high school, classical education prepares them well to fulfill their calling to honor and glorify God.
What is the Trivium
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The goal of Latin is to prepare students to read the classics in their original languages.
While the study of Latin might seem intimidating, we ease students into this subject by involving younger students in daily Latin prayer and song.
Formal Latin study begins in 3rd Grade and if you were to visit our Latin class, you would see students learning in a relaxed, fun environment.
If your child is enrolling in St. George after grade 3, we will work with you and your child to catch them up with the rest of their class.
Why Study Latin?
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Five O’Clock Tea by Mary Cassatt; Titus as a Monk by Rembrandt; Tree of Life by Louis Comfort Tiffany; Children’s Games by Pieter Bruegel; The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt; Starry Night Over the Rhone by Van Gogh; Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer; Three Musicians by Picasso.
K-2 Students study a piece of art each week. Examples include:
Children at this age, often called the "pre-Grammar stage", are beginning to learn their letters, building words and sentences.
We use a variety of methods to guide them towards mastery of English grammar, including Orton-Gillingham based phonics, Bible memorization, as well as the immersive Latin program of Lingua Latina developed by Hans Orberg. Whenever we can, we also incorporate song into their studies as it aids memorization.
We use Singapore math, and science is taught through hands on gardening and field trips. Music is learned in chapel, and children learn to develop their physical abilities through P.E. and outdoor play.
K-2nd Curriculum
The curriculum at St. George invites students to enter upon a life-long journey, to see the world that God made, through the wisdom of old books. Our curriculum derives from a number of sources: Hillsdale College, Memoria Press, Core Knowledge Sequence, and others.
We believe in a whole-person educational method, where virtue is developed in mind and body, through training in the tools of learning as well as life skills, physical education, and the exploration of the natural world in the great outdoors.
St. George
the curriculum at
Historical subjects covered include:
Civil War, Holidays, Greek Myths, Washington, St. Patrick, St. Valentine, Amelia Earhart
Rahab to Esther
Biblical Subjects include:
Scientific Subjects include:
Deserts, Hurricanes, Reptiles, Night Animals, Trains, Trees, Rainforest, Seasons, Sea, Maps, Penguins, Moon, Teeth, Fish, Birds, Bugs, Safari
We also offer formal art lessons every week.
Creative writing, history and science are woven in throughout the day as it relates to the stories and topics of the week.
3:30pm - Dismissal.
For the 2024-2025 school year, we are exploring options to provide after care until the workday is over. This would include time for homework and/or play. If you're interested in this, please contact us.
2:10pm - Free play (on Mondays: art)
12:15pm - Lunch and PE. All students are together during this time. We incorporate a mix of free play, kung fu, running and organized sports into this time.
11:25am - Reading and literature classes
10:35am - Spelling and phonics
10:20am - Morning break with entire school
9:20am - Math. We like to study math early in the day while the brain is still fresh.
9:00am - Grammar
8:45am - Calendar time, Reading rich books, listening to classical music, study of great works of art
8:30am - Latin (for songs & prayers)
8am - Morning Prayer
Example Daily Schedule
1:20am - Rest time for kindergarten, handwriting and cursive for grades 1 and up
At these grade levels, there is an increased emphasis on Grammar and Logic. Students develop greater confidence in their reading ability, as they begin to encounter great works of literature by authors from Homer to C.S. Lewis. Latin grammar is formally taught.
Latin and English prayers and Bible verses are memorized. An increased capacity for mathematical computation and Logic enables them to see the value in the life of the mind, and they begin to formulate their own answers to the great questions of life, of science and faith.
3rd-8th Curriculum
Lower School students are studying The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, Lassie and Heidi
Middle school students are studying: The Trojan War, The Bronze Bow, The Hobbit, Anne of Green Gables
Literature Books Include:
Historical subjects covered include:
Lower school students are studying American history through books such as The Landing of the Pilgrims, Madeleine Takes Command, The Witchcraft of Salem Village, Ben Franklin of Old Philadelphia, The American Revolution, Guns for General George Washington, and Calico Bush.
Upper school students are studying Famous men of Greece, Greek alphabet, Horatius at the Bridge, Explorers to Civil War
The Old Testament, Ancient World, Acts and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis
Biblical/Christian Subjects include:
Scientific Subjects include:
Book of Insects, Physical Science
We also offer formal art lessons every week as well as classical guitar class for grades three and up.
3:30pm - Dismissal.
For the 2024-2025 school year, we are exploring options to provide after care until the workday is over. This would include time for homework and/or play. If you're interested in this, please contact us.
3:15pm - Evening Prayer
1:20pm - Literature, science and history
12:15pm - Lunch and PE. All students are together during this time. We incorporate a mix of free play, kung fu, running and organized sports into this time.
11:25am - Classical & Christian studies
10:35am - Grammar and composition
10:20am - Morning break with the entire school
9:20am - Math. We like to study math early in the day while the brain is still fresh.
8:30am - Latin
8am - Morning Prayer
Example Daily Schedule
One of the most beautiful things about St. George is the community. Small class sizes and intentional integrated time make it easy for friendships to form.
The students at St. George truly love being with one another and frequently gather together outside of school.
As as school, we do our best to gather families together several times a year as well as plan field trips, plays and special adventures.
We also participate in several acts of service a year including hosting Veterans lunches, caroling in nursing homes and more. If you have other ideas for service, please reach out.
The Community
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St. George provides students with the best of both Protestant and Catholic worlds. Students study the Bible as the authoritative word of God, interpreted with the whole consensus of the Church throughout history.
Prayer is an essential part of whole person education, as it shapes the mind and the soul, crowning the virtuous life with Faith, Hope, & Love.
Students at St. George will learn the ancient prayers of the Church, and in the process learn to pray better themselves.
Spiritual Formation
Each day begins with Mattins and ends with Evensong. In these two services of prayer and worship, students will recite most of the 150 Psalms once a month, they'll read most of the Old Testament once and the New Testament more than once in the school year.
The school calendar is guided by the calendar of the Church, and divided into three terms named after the saints: Cyprian term, Nicholas term (during Christmas), and Patrick term (for St. Patrick), In addition to learning Latin, the language of the ancient Western Church, students will study the Scriptures and the history of the Church in Christian Studies classes at each grade level.
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We desired a different education for our children, but as a family of two working parents, we don't have the time to homeschool. St. George has been the biggest blessing to our family. Our son Jack is excited to go to school each day and he loves both his teachers and his peers. We frequently catch him singing in Latin, telling us about the life of Jesus and showing off skills we didn't know he had.
FAMILIES
meet the
With the school’s foundation in Christian virtues, Anna and Danny’s natural sibling rivalry has been transformed into a supportive and encouraging relationship. The students learn to champion their peers and work as a group. They come home singing songs and sharing stories of their day. The classical curriculum brings a natural synthesis of art, literature, history, and music which allows a richer understanding and deeper application of knowledge across subjects.
questions
frequently asked
While our school does not include sports teams at this time, we would love to be able to offer organized sports one day. Our students enjoy PE daily after lunch. This often involves a mix of free play, kung fu or organized sports - such as soccer.
We love being able to offer small class sizes. With a strong student to teacher ratio, lessons can be individualized where needed. We currently have 1:1 to 1:5 teacher student ratios in our classrooms.
Multi-age classrooms are gaining popularity as more research comes out. In a multi-age classroom, students have better camaraderie as well as a decrease in competitiveness. Students have an increase in confidence, better social skills, and more leadership opportunities.
At St. George, we want to be able to adapt to the needs around us. We currently do not offer a high school program, but if there is interest and need around us, we are open to exploring that offering. Please reach out if you have a high schooler that would like to attend!
We follow a well planned curriculum that thoughtfully builds up each child to be well prepared for the following year. With a small class size, we are able to evaluate in detail every child's strength and weaknesses and adapt the material to the child where needed.
We can see right away what the child struggles with and address it immediately. Students don't have to make straight A's, but they will still learn a great deal. The curriculum ties everything they are learning together which helps with memory retention, and incorporates Orton-Gillingham methods (which are the best, especially for students who struggle with reading and spelling). The well rounded curriculum helps every student to find something they will excel in and be proud of, even if it's not math or reading.
Depending on need, we are hoping to offer after care beginning in the 2024-2025 school year. This would take place at the school and would involve a mix of homework time and play. If you're interested in after care, please contact us.
A lot of schools, including public schools, are moving towards using school uniforms. Research has shown it decreases distraction, and increases positive behavior in students. Uniforms train a child how to dress their best while also taking away comparison, which as Theodore Roosevelt said, is the thief of joy. It fosters camaraderie and a sense of identity and pride.
The Community
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Considering St. George for your child's education or want to be a part of the team that prays regularly for our school? Sign up for the email community.
