How to Select Courses

by William C. Michael

The modern K-12 grade level system never existed in world history before the public schools were created in the 1850s and must be abandoned if students are to pursue a classical Catholic curriculum. Nevertheless, understanding that schools and parents looking at the Classical Liberal Arts Academy curriculum will do so with the K-12 model in mind, we offer the following course recommendations based loosely on that model. This should not be interpreted as an approval of that model, but only as a help to those learning about true classical Catholic education.

Table of contents- I. Early Elementary (Level 000 Courses)- Pre-K/K (Ages 3–6)
- Grade 1 (Ages 6–7)
- Grade 2 (Ages 7–8)
- II. Upper Elementary (Level 100 Courses)- Grade 3 (Ages 8–9)
- Grade 4 (Ages 9–10)
- Grade 5 (Ages 10–11)
- III. Middle School (Level 200 Courses)- Grade 6 (Ages 11–12)
- Grade 7 (Ages 12–13)
- Grade 8 (Ages 13–14)
- IV. High School (Level 300–400 Courses)- Grade 9 (Ages 14–15)
- Grade 10 (Age 15–16)
- Grade 11 (Ages 16–17)
- Grade 12 (Ages 17–18)
- High School Transcript

I. Early Elementary (Level 000 Courses)

The goal of the early elementary years is for children to learn to study independently, that they may begin classical studies in the upper elementary years. This requires that students learn to read, write, type, memorize mathematical facts, develop routines of prayer and study, etc.

Pre-K/K (Ages 3–6)

- Petty School Reading
- Petty School Writing
- Petty School Arithmetic
- Petty School Bible

Grade 1 (Ages 6–7)

- English Reading
- Handwriting
- Latin Vocabulary
- Modern Arithmetic I
- Aesop’s Fables (Reading)
- Baltimore Catechism
- Catholic Bible I

Grade 2 (Ages 7–8)

- English Reading
- Handwriting
- Latin Vocabulary
- Modern Arithmetic I
- Aesop’s Fables (Reading)
- Baltimore Catechism
- Catholic Bible

II. Upper Elementary (Level 100 Courses)

At the upper elementary level, students move into true classical studies, getting started with classical Grammar, Latin reading, etc.

Grade 3 (Ages 8–9)

- Latin Reading
- Latin Vocabulary
- Modern Arithmetic II
- Aesop’s Fables
- Baltimore Catechism
- Daily Scripture Reading
- World Chronology

Grade 4 (Ages 9–10)

- Classical Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Latin Vocabulary
- Modern Arithmetic II
- Aesop’s Fables
- Pliny, Natural History
- Baltimore Catechism
- Daily Scripture Reading
- World Chronology

Grade 5 (Ages 10–11)

- Classical Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Vocabulary
- Modern Arithmetic III
- Aesop’s Fables
- Pliny, Natural History
- Baltimore Catechism
- Daily Scripture Reading
- World Chronology

III. Middle School (Level 200 Courses)

In the middle school years, students should be progressing steadily in classical studies, improving their comprehension and communication skills, putting them in prime position for the greatest possible achievement in the high school years.

Grade 6 (Ages 11–12)

- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Vocabulary
- Intro to Classical Arithmetic
- Aesop’s Fables
- Pliny, Natural History
- Baltimore Catechism
- Daily Scripture Reading
- World Chronology
- Drawing
- Music

Grade 7 (Ages 12–13)

- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Greek Grammar
- Intro to Classical Arithmetic
- Aesop’s Fables
- Pliny, Natural History
- Baltimore Catechism
- Sacred Scripture
- World Chronology
- Drawing
- Music

Grade 8 (Ages 13–14)

- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading I
- Greek Grammar
- Intro to Classical Arithmetic
- Theophrastus, Characters
- Baltimore Catechism
- Sacred Scripture
- World Chronology

IV. High School (Level 300–400 Courses)

In the high school years, students must immerse themselves in the most rigorous course of studies possible. For students preparing for admission to selective universities, four years of English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Natural Science and History are necessary. Catholic students must complete these studies in the most efficient manner possible, in a program into which classical Catholic studies are integrated. It is better for Catholic students to continue their classical Catholic studies beyond age 18 and delay college admission, than to go without them into college and career studies. These courses develop and demand mature comprehension and communication skills.

Grade 9 (Ages 14–15)

- English Composition
- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Reasoning
- Classical Arithmetic
- Moral Philosophy
- Natural Philosophy
- Sacred Scripture
- Catechism/Summa
- World History
- English Literature

Grade 10 (Age 15–16)

- English Composition
- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Reasoning
- Classical Geometry
- Moral Philosophy
- Natural Philosophy
- Sacred Scripture
- Catechism/Summa
- World History
- English Literature

Grade 11 (Ages 16–17)

- English Composition
- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Reasoning
- Classical Rhetoric
- Classical Geometry
- Moral Philosophy
- Natural Philosophy
- Sacred Scripture
- Catechism/Summa
- World History
- English Literature

Grade 12 (Ages 17–18)

- English Composition
- Latin Grammar
- Latin Reading
- Classical Reasoning
- Classical Rhetoric
- Classical Geometry
- Moral Philosophy
- Natural Philosophy
- Sacred Scripture
- Catechism/Summa
- World History
- English Literature

V. Life-long Studies

What sets the Classical Liberal Arts Academy apart from all modern study programs is that our program provides the complete course of philosophical and theological studies to provide the study materials and support for an entire life of diligent Catholic study. This is the “life-long learning” modern schools talk about, but do nothing to actually provide for. There’s no deadline to student achievement when students can continue studying in the Academy for life.

High School Transcript

If a student in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy wishes to apply for admission to a college, university, religious community or other institution, we recommend that the classical Catholic curriculum not be communicated simple because it will not be understood outside the CLAA. We recommend that the student’s academic work be communicated in terms these institutions will understand, using a modern 4-year high school arrangement.

- View Sample High School Transcript (Premium Support)