Academics at SCA
Southside Classical Academy teaches students to become independent learners, logical thinkers and articulate speakers. But more than just academic skills, we build love of God's wisdom and strong character into our program so that our students are "equipped for every good work" - 2 Timothy 3:17.
Hybrid Schedule
Our hybrid schedule offers the support of traditional schooling blended with much of the flexibility homeschooled families appreciate.
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TUESDAY
Tuesdays are a day of required on-site instruction. Time is spent learning from Christian teachers using a blend of Classical and Charlotte Mason methodology.
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WEDNESDAY
Wednesdays, which are optional for Primary and Grammar students, serve as a guided study day. Necessary academic practice is mixed with creative, real-world application of knowledge through projects and problem-solving, all while fostering a foundation of faith and developing character. Wednesday learning blocks include:
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Guided Homework Studio
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Multi-Age Project/Concept Workshop
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Targeted Skill Tutoring Pods
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THURSDAY
Thursdays are an optional add-on for academic families. Many surrounding families who independently homeschool also join us on Thursday making for a fun and enriching day of art, music, P.E., foreign language, science lab, and unit studies. Learn more about our Thursday enrichment program here.
Primary (K-2)
Meets on Tuesdays; Optional guided study on Wednesdays
Southside Primary Academy is designed to prepare students for the Grammar Level of SCA. Students learn similar material to our Grammar Level. Classical subjects are taught with creative and hands-on methods.
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Each class day begins with circle time, where we pray and focus our day on God, spend time talking about our highs and lows of the past week, and prepare for the day ahead. Our classes study Bible, language arts, science, history, math, Latin/Greek roots, and literature. Our curriculum has been chosen specifically to prepare students to enter the Grammar Level. Our class also enjoys time playing outside (when the weather allows). At-home work is posted for families to do during the week.
Biblical Studies
The focus of our biblical studies at the Primary stage is on how God worked in and through the people of the Bible. Students will also be learning and memorizing key Bible verses.
Language Arts, Literature & Composition
In the tradition of classical education that attempts to leverage the connection between subjects to help students learn faster and better, we use an integrated approach to teaching phonics, reading, grammar, spelling, handwriting, and writing through Learning Language Arts Through Literature.
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Students are introduced to age-appropriate historical fiction during class corresponding with the period of history being studied, as well as classical literature. Students are led in exercises that identify main ideas, plot, and description of characters and setting.
Math
During our time together, our focus is on arithmetic. We chant addition, subtraction, and multiplication math facts and sing skip counting patterns. We learn about time, currency, measurement, and mental math and play fun math games that sharpen our skills. We encourage families to explore math concepts throughout the week through daily tasks and real life applications.
Science
In our class, we cover the same general science subject as Grammar level students but through engaging, age-appropriate unit studies. Students learn through hands-on experiments and projects.
History
Primary classes learn about key moments and people in history within the time period being studied in the Grammar levels through exciting readings, recitations, and role play.
Latin/Greek Roots
Our Primary 1 and 2 students are introduced to the Latin/Greek Language through the use of songs, stories, games and activities.
Guided Study
Wednesdays, which are optional for Primary and Grammar students, serve as a guided study day. Necessary academic practice is mixed with creative, real-world application of knowledge through projects and problem-solving, all while fostering a foundation of faith and developing character. Wednesday learning blocks include:
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Guided Homework Studio
-
Multi-Age Project/Concept Workshop
-
Targeted Skill Tutoring Pods
Grammar (3-6)
Meets on Tuesdays; Optional Study day on Wednesdays
The Grammar stage provides the foundation for future classical studies by building a framework of knowledge through each subject area (Art, Bible, Grammar, Latin/Greek, Literature, Science, History). Questions of who, what, where, and when are the focus, and memorization is a key part of learning. At SCA we give students context for what they're memorizing because it lays a strong foundation for future learning in the Logic level.
Biblical Studies
In this course, students move through the entire Bible during a four-year cycle. This class focuses on the people, events, and chronology of the Bible. Biblical study is enriched by an understanding of the history of the time. Special emphasis is placed on the memorization of key dates, people, facts, and Bible verses. In addition, older Grammar students will be introduced to basic theology and how to identify theological themes.
Language Arts - Literature, Composition, and Grammar:
Using an integrated approach, students learn grammar, spelling, composition, penmanship, and editing by engaging them in quality literature selections
Science
All Grammar level students learn the same science subject. Over four years the students cover Anatomy and Physiology, Astronomy and Botany, Zoology: Flying Creatures, Zoology: Marine Biology, and Zoology: Land Animals using Apologia science curriculum. Science classes include labs.
Math 3 Concepts:
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Multiplication and division
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Customary and metric measurement
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Fractions and decimals
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Money
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How math follows God’s amazing design
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Math 5 Concepts:
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Pre-algebra concepts
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Geometry
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Data skills
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STEM lessons
Latin/Greek Roots
History
Students at Grammar level will learn and experience history in interesting and memorable ways through well-written texts, rich discussion, and hands-on application with geography, timelines, and appropriate projects. American history, biblical history, and world history will be introduced and developed during these 4 years.
Guided Study
Wednesdays, which are optional for Primary and Grammar students, serve as a guided study day. Necessary academic practice is mixed with creative, real-world application of knowledge through projects and problem-solving, all while fostering a foundation of faith and developing character. Wednesday learning blocks include:
-
Guided Homework Studio
-
Multi-Age Project/Concept Workshop
-
Targeted Skill Tutoring Pods
Logic (7-8)
The Logic stage builds upon the Grammar stage. The goal is to equip students with the critical thinking skills necessary to recognize sound arguments and ideas, and to detect and correct fallacious ones. This stage addresses the questions of how and why. Instructors focus on showing students how to ask the right questions and think through the implications of their ideas. Classroom time is spent on discussion and small group work, including the Socratic method (critical thinking questions) to help students refine their ideas.
Christian Studies
A classical approach to learning about God includes a study of biblical chronology (Grammar level), theology (Logic level) and apology (Rhetoric level). Building on their knowledge of biblical chronology, in this course, students learn to understand, explain, and scripturally support the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Where applicable, students are introduced to divergent views that exist in orthodox Christianity and encouraged to discuss these with charity and grace, at all times relying on the Holy Scriptures as the ultimate source of authority. Students learn the importance of “catholicity” among the people of God, being able to appreciate the unity of the church in the past, present, and future.
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Church History:
Since the biblical understanding of history is the record of God working to redeem a people for His Son, it should be argued that all of history is church history and not a mere subset of secular history as is often supposed. Rather, seeing with the eyes of faith, the history of the Church drives the rest. The objective of this course is to help students catch a vision that is sorely lacking in our day: that the Church has an awe-inspiring history and a glorious and certain future.
Logic
Logic and the disciplines of critical thinking and building a clear and well-supported argument teach students to think clearly and argue well. L1 students study Formal Logic, the science and art of reasoning well. L2 students study the process of critical thinking and argument building and learn how to apply it to all aspects of their lives.
Science
Math
We teach students the fundamental principles of the scientific method and use the various disciplines within science as a way to practice thinking like scientists. L1 students take an Introductory Chemistry and Physics course and L2 students take an Intro to Biology course. Science classes include labs.
Omnibus
In our introductory years of SCA, our logic level students will be bringing curriculum from home and completing it in class under the guidance of a math tutor. The math curriculum listed in the PDF below is the suggested curriculum.
Omnibus History is designed to introduce students to significant eras and events in world history. The course follows an alternating two-year schedule - Year 1: Ancient/Medieval and Year 2: Modern Era. Students are led through their studies with a focus on analyzing original sources and understanding the impact of ideas over the centuries. The instructor uses a combination of resources to help students develop into thoughtful and well-informed students of history. The Omnibus History course content is integrated with Omnibus Literature & Composition content to help students develop a comprehensive picture of each era of history.
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Omnibus Literature & Composition
This course focuses on literary analysis of the key books for the historical period being studied. In addition to literary analysis, students create original pieces of writing which highlight their understanding of the texts. By the end of the Logic level, students are able to create expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive essays. Additionally, this course builds upon the foundation previously formed and challenges students in their next step of the progymnasmata. Students focus on refutation / confirmation and common topic. In doing so, students are better able to apply the tools learned in Formal Logic and Critical Thinking by examining how gifted writers from the past have used writing to construct solid arguments.
Latin/Greek
Guided Study
Grammar level students have the opportunity to come to SCA on a second day to take part in a guided learning day where students accomplish one or more days of assigned work under the guidance of a teacher, while also enjoying the opportunity for fellowship and camaraderie. The study schedule covers history and geography, mathematics, science, biblical studies, grammar, Latin/Greek and literature, as well as a free reading time, a lunch break/recess, and more.
Curricula choices are specifically curated to fit the lifestyle of a hybrid model.
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