Classical Homeschool Curriculum

A classical education is academically rigorous. It seeks to cultivate well-rounded individuals who are curious about the world, engage in meaningful contributions to their community, and pursue truth, goodness, and beauty. Classical Christian education weaves faith into every subject by teaching students to see the world as God’s creation. As they study science, history, math, literature, and the arts, students are guided to recognize God’s order, creativity, and purpose, growing in their love for Him through a deeper understanding of His world.

Originating in ancient Greece, classical education is based on the study of the seven liberal arts: verbal (grammar, dialectic/logic, and rhetoric) and mathematical (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy). In addition to the seven liberal arts, classical education uses logic, Latin, history, the sciences, the Great Books, and fine art of Western Civilization as essential elements of its pedagogy. Through this structured and intentional approach, students develop strong reasoning, writing, and communication skills that prepare them to think clearly, speak persuasively, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

The trivium identifies the three stages of learning through which children develop. The grammar stage (generally kindergarten through elementary grades) consists of rote memorization and learning basic skills and concrete knowledge. The dialectic or logic stage (usually middle school, possibly through early high school) promotes the development of critical thinking and logic, encouraging students to deepen their understanding of concrete knowledge and begin to wrestle with abstract ideas. The rhetoric stage (high school) synthesizes knowledge, ideas, and logic, developing the skill of articulate communication through persuasive speaking and writing while cultivating independent thought.

The trivium also refers to the three verbal arts, which are also called, grammar (learning the structure of language, reading literature and poetry), dialectic (critical thinking and reasoning, logical discussion and debate), and rhetoric (using speaking and writing for persuasive communication).

The quadrivium collects the mathematical liberal arts of arithmetic, music, geometry, and astronomy.

Foundational to the pedagogy of classical education are the transcendental values of truth, goodness, and beauty. For the classical educator, every subject points to God our Creator as the source of all truth. This leads to a thoughtful faith being woven throughout every aspect of learning.

In addition, classical education emphasizes the study of the Great Works of Western Civilization—literature and fine arts—as an essential element of learning. Other key subjects include Latin, writing, history, rhetoric, logic, and critical thinking, all aimed at developing clear, persuasive communication, sound judgment, and a love of truth. Mathematics and the sciences also play an important role, as they train students in logical reasoning, analytical thought, and the discovery of order and beauty in the natural world. The Socratic method is implemented throughout the subjects to foster thoughtful dialogue, encouraging students to ask questions, examine ideas, and engage in deep reasoning.

Classical homeschooling offers a time-tested approach that nurtures a passion for learning while helping students become confident thinkers and articulate communicators. By focusing on logic, rhetoric, and the liberal arts, students learn to express themselves clearly and persuasively, with well-reasoned thought. This method encourages the development of critical thinking, intellectual depth, and strong moral character—traits that help children grow into lifelong learners who remain curious about the world around them. The emphasis on logic, reasoning, and analytical thinking also builds the mental discipline and problem-solving abilities essential for success in math, science, and other STEM subjects. Ultimately, classical Christian homeschooling equips students to engage thoughtfully and compassionately with their communities, share their faith with clarity and conviction, and serve others as they live out the Gospel in everyday life.

Interested in bringing classical education into your homeschool? Here's how to get started and implement this proven approach at home.

• Whether you’re starting to homeschool or making changes to your method, it’s important to understand your state’s homeschool laws or regulations and how to align your chosen curriculum with those requirements.

• Learn more about the philosophy of classical education (hopefully we’ve given you a good start) through reading and online research. Click HERE for classical homeschooling curricula and parent resources that may help. Since every family is unique, you can decide which aspects of classical education you will integrate into your homeschool. Some families follow the full classical model, while others adapt key elements—like Latin, logic, or literature—to fit their goals, schedule, and learning styles.

• Classical education is academically rigorous, with rich and varied content to explore each day. Establishing a consistent daily routine can help your children know what to expect, stay focused, and create a steady rhythm that supports accomplishing all you’ve planned for the day. Homeschool planners can be a valuable tool in building a schedule that works for your family's needs and educational goals. Click HERE if you’d like to check out the selection at Christianbook. Christianbook’s free Homeschool Planner is a printable resource with a calendar, weekly scheduling grids, report cards, reading logs, and other forms that help you keep track of essential information. It’s a great way to start your record-keeping system, especially if you’re not sure of what type of planner would best suit your needs.

• Classical education is rooted in rich literature and art, with reading, discussion, and writing forming the core of learning. A practical first step is to choose a curriculum that aligns with your family’s values and educational goals. Each subject in your curriculum will typically include a spine—a main textbook, living book, or core resource that serves as the anchor for related reading, literature, and enrichment activities. You may choose a comprehensive classical homeschooling publisher that covers multiple subjects or select curricula from different publishers for each subject to better suit your child’s needs. If you customize your curriculum choices by adding more literature or other resources, be sure to maintain balance—adding more may require removing or adjusting parts of the written curriculum to avoid overwhelming your student.

Homeschooling multiple kids with the classical method can work well with some planning, flexibility, and a structured but adaptable routine. Here are some strategies to think about.

• A family morning time is a great way to start the day with shared activities like Bible reading, family devotions, and any rote memorization and recitation like poetry, Scripture, and math facts. In fact, little ones can get a head start when they listen to their older siblings recite Latin verb conjugations and Virgil quotations. This can also be a time for shared reading like the current read-aloud book, literature, and phonics reader (if you have a young grammar student). This daily rhythm not only supports academic review but also strengthens family bonds, encourages shared learning, and creates space for discovering favorite books together.

• Another helpful strategy, especially when your children are at different stages of the trivium—grammar, dialectic/logic, and rhetoric—is to use the same curriculum for a subject across multiple levels. This allows you to become familiar with how the program works and makes it easier to implement as each child progresses. Latin is a great example of a subject that works well across multiple levels, allowing you to use the same curriculum with each child at their own pace. Click HERE to see Christianbook’s selection of Latin curricula.

• Consider using family-style learning to bring everyone together for certain subjects. History taught in a chronological cycle and many elementary science topics lend themselves well to multi-age learning. In fact, several history and science programs are intentionally written to be used across a range of ages rather than a specific grade level. This makes it easier for homeschooling families to study the same topics together while adjusting assignments or activities to match each child’s ability. Teaching these subjects family-style can save time, simplify planning, and encourage shared learning experiences.

Teaching Latin in your homeschool offers lasting academic benefits that go far beyond learning a classical language. The structured nature of Latin helps develop mental discipline, sharpens critical thinking skills, and strengthens memory through consistent practice with vocabulary, conjugations, and declensions. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of English grammar, spelling, and vocabulary—especially since over half of English words are derived from Latin. Latin also lays a strong foundation for learning Romance languages and for studying science, as many scientific terms and classifications are based on Latin roots. Studying Latin enhances comprehension of affixes—prefixes and suffixes—making it easier for students to decode unfamiliar words across subjects. As a core part of classical education, Latin reinforces key academic skills that benefit students throughout their homeschool journey. Click HERE to see Christianbook’s selection of Latin curricula.

If you’d like more information about classical education and classical Christian homeschooling, here are suggested titles, including those used as sources for these FAQs:

Classical Christian Education Made Approachable, published by Classical Conversations

An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents, by Christopher Perrin (Classical Academic Press)

The Well-Trained Mind, The Essential Edition: A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise

Teaching The Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style, by Harvey Bluedorn and Laurie Bluedorn (Trivium Pursuit)

What Is Classical Education?, by Martin Cothran (Memoria Press)

“Lost Tools of Learning,” audio CD speech by Dorothy Sayers