Distinctives & Statement of Faith
CHRISTIAN
We attract faculty and students from a variety of Christian churches and denominations. With Christians throughout the ages and around the world, we are united together in our commitment to the Scriptures as the Word of God, and we affirm the faith summarized in the words of the Nicene Creed. Rather than viewing our theological diversity as a hindrance to our mission, we embrace the opportunity to begin conversations about our faith in the classroom, which are then brought into your homes and churches. In an increasingly polarized culture, our students graduate with an appreciation for the diverse ways that Christians of different traditions understand the particulars of our faith.
Wondering if Twelve Stones is Right for Your Child?
CLASSICAL
The curriculum at TSCS is taught classically through a proven approach to learning known as the trivium. The trivium consists of the three arts of language: grammar (reading/writing well), logic (thinking well), and rhetoric (communicating well). In more recent times, these arts have been connected with stages of child development.
In the grammar stage of learning, the focus is breaking down new concepts to the required fundamental skills or facts and mastering them through memorizing jingles, chants, and songs.
The logic stage is the study of the relationship between those fundamentals and how they fit together. The examination of arguments is an important focus of this stage.
Finally, the rhetoric stage requires students to articulate their learning through oral and written expression.
Students, as they continuously learn through this time-tested process, acquire the skills that will prepare them to study even more challenging subjects in the future. They are prepared for whatever God ultimately calls them to do because they have mastered the art of learning itself.
At Twelve Stones Classical School, students in PK4 through 12th grade complete a rigorous, vertically-aligned, systematic course of study. History is studied chronologically from the dawn of the ages to modern times, which provides the outline for the study of literature, art, music, and science. Students read the best authors, such as Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, and Dickens, which not only encourages critical reasoning and sharpens students’ writing abilities, but also develops the moral imagination as students grow in their love for what is good, true, and beautiful. Through the study of mathematics and science, God’s creation and order are clearly illustrated.
Students begin the study of Latin in third grade and develop logic and problem-solving skills while reinforcing their understanding of grammar and language. Studies have shown that students who study Latin perform better in other subjects, on the SAT, and have higher college GPAs.
COLLABORATIVE
Our parents are an active and vital component of the learning at TSCS. Our program resembles a university schedule in that students attend classes two days per week and work at home under the tutelage of their parents for the balance of the week. This model allows the family to actually be the God-ordained primary influence on their children. Parents are equipped with assignments, due dates, and grades. The effort required will vary according to the child’s strengths and weaknesses, age, and ability.
The students have the benefit of the classroom experience with a professional educator coupled with one-on-one reinforcement at home, all within the framework of a classical approach.
It’s a precious and rewarding time for parents of grammar students as they work alongside their little ones as they read good books and see the wonder of the world opened up to them. Logic school parents can maintain a greater voice and guidance as the culture, media, and peer influence enter more importance. Rhetoric school students not only benefit from the challenging coursework, but from the university model schedule as well. The students learn to handle substantial amounts of reading, as well as math and physics problems to work out on their own. They learn how to juggle athletics, off-campus jobs, and volunteer opportunities. These strengthen their college applications, but, more importantly, strengthen their character as they learn and develop crucial time management and other life-skills.
One of the primary reasons families apply to TSCS is so they can be involved in their children’s learning. This is not a part-time school—it is full time education. It is simply split between two campuses: our classrooms and your home.
To read more on the collaborative or university model, please visit University-Model® Schools International.
Cyclical
Cyclical education starts simple and allows the students' understanding to grow as they mature. Our four curriculum cycles cover the entire scope of history three times in twelve years of education. Each time your child revisits a time period, they build onto the foundation of understanding already established.
This approach supports family discipleship and learning together. Whole-family learning means students study the same topic at the same time at the appropriate learning level. When the family comes together, everyone participates. Our families enjoy more meaningful dinner-table conversation and deeper evening devotions.
Integrated study brings subjects together to solidify them in the student’s mind and make them easier to understand, remember, and enjoy.
Statement of Faith
- We believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We affirm His life and works as outlined in the Nicene Creed:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen. - We believe in the authority of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as God’s word.
- We believe that parents are the God-ordained, primary instructors of their children (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” -Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
- We believe in a God-designed progression of human learning (John 3:10-12, Acts 17:22-28 and 1 Corinthians 13:9-12).
- We believe in the ministry of all Christians to influence the world around them in accordance with the honor and for the glory of Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 29:4-9, Matthew 5:13- 16 and 1 Corinthians 9:19-23)