The classical education movement has received a strong reception within the homeschool community in recent years, and with good reason. Classical methodology, when taught properly, teaches students how to think and learn for themselves. As the benefits become widely known, more classical programs are being written and marketed to homeschool families than ever before. But while they may appear similar on the surface, classical programs can in fact have quite different approaches.
Volume I contains sixteen chapters and is accredited by the University of California as one year of high school Latin, although it was designed for middle school. Students review English grammar and see how similar it is to Latin grammar. A brief history of Italy and life in Rome are shown in the story in Latin of the Roman centurion of the Bible and his family.
Volume II continues with the family’s move from Gaul to Rome. More of the background of Rome and its history and culture are taught, as well as an additional vocabulary of another 410 words. In this volume the family learns about the birth of Jesus and also hears Jesus give the sermon on the mount. More and more grammar is taught.
Volume III completes all the Latin grammar, while the complete life of Christ is presented. The many biblical topics include Gnosticism, What is a Real Man?, Giving Thanks, the One and the Many, the Gospel Road.
All teacher’s guides contain the student material with translations, plus many extra teacher helps.
Study Sheet booklets reinforce the textbook material and are vital to the course.
Volume I High School, containing twenty-six chapters, is accredited by the University of California as one year of high school Latin. It is an introduction to Latin and covers the basic grammar of Latin.
Volume II –III High School completes all the Latin grammar,
while the complete life of Christ is presented. The many biblical
topics include Gnosticism, What is a Real Man?, Giving Thanks,
the One and the Many, the Gospel Road.
Volume IV Honors includes poems by Ennius, Catullus, Pliny,
Lucretius, Horace, as well as the continuation of the Roman
family’s life. Authors included are Venerable Bede, Caesar, and
Cicero, and ends with an introduction to The Aeneid.
Volume V Advanced Placement meets all the requirements to
help students pass the AP Latin test, including the required
sections of Caesar and The Aeneid, Cicero’s First Oration Against
Catiline.
All teacher’s guides contain the student material with translations,
plus many extra teacher helps.
Study Sheet booklets reinforce the textbook material and are vital
to the course.
We are proud to announce that three VCHS students won awards for excellence on the
National Latin Classical Literacy Exam.
Our student Allison Cong scored a perfect score on the exam and won the Gold Medal.
Allison Cong’s essay won the Classical Literacy Exam prize of $100.
Allison is the only student to achieve this honor in all of California.
Congratulations to Allison and to her dedicated teacher Mrs. Jeanette Anderson!
This is the essay written by VCHS Gold Medal winner Allison Cong
“From the tongue-twisting taxidermy terms in biology to the seemingly nonsensical college mottos, Latin
is ingrained in modern society. Yet to the rest of the world, it is dead. Forgotten and useless. As a high
school freshman, I came in with the same misconception, taking Latin simply to fulfill my graduation
requirements. Declensions, moods, and terms all fell into place within my mind, but it never struck me why I
was learning this ancient script. And now, nearly three years after that first step into Latin, I understand.
There’s something fascinating about Latin, in that it’s not just a language. It is a language rich with a gallant
history, mystic mythologies, elaborate arts, and unimaginable culture. In class, I have been able to endlessly
explore these aspects, from translating ancient texts to researching and recreating a Roman villa to watching
movies completely in Latin. Being able to read Latin and promptly imagine the forums that once existed
were bustling with men and women in stolae and togas or the hills lined with fierce armor-clad battalions has
become a staple in my exploration of the ancient worlds. But beyond understanding the history and culture
of ancient Greece and Rome, Latin has allowed me to appreciate the intricateness of languages and
recognize the harmony of humanity. So many languages and cultures have evolved from Latin, most of
which are continued to be in use today. Latin is the root of the sciences, law and government, theology, and
logic. Latin is the mother tongue of the world, the uniting force of the ancient world. Its pervasiveness is not
only in our daily lives but also in the fundamentals of human association and communication. The world and humanity
are built on communication, using sounds to replicate emotions, logic, and trust among others. The
ancient texts and lifestyle represent an age without the social constraints or stereotypes of today, an age of
unrepressed creativity, philosophy, and art. This “raw” association with the world helps me to break modern
conformities and ponder the changing times. If everyone could study the classics and delve into Latin, they
could understand the world and the beginning of the society as we perceive today. Latin also buildsthe
mind–its (sometimes relentless) grammar and elements have challenged me as a student to think critically
and carefully. Studying Latin has transformed my perception of society and the world, inspiring to look
beyond imposed limits and to appreciate the connectivity of the human mind.”
Miss Mary Riley
World Languages Department Head
Department Head Chair
Valley Christian High School
100 Skyway Drive
San Jose, CA 95111
mriley@vcs.net
