Teaching classically and growing flourishing students for 15 years
by Kyle Maestri, Headmaster of Trinity Christian School
I’m asked all the time, “What is meant by ‘teaching classically’ and ‘flourishing’ students?”
Classical education’s sound and proven philosophy of education has been around for more than 2,000 years. Some of the greatest minds in history, including Francis Scott Key, G.K. Chesterton, C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien reflect their classical development. Our founding fathers bear marks of classical training in literature, classical language (especially Latin), history and rhetoric.
Classically and historically speaking, flourishing means to do what we were made to do, and in doing so, to reach one’s maximum potential. When reaching our full potential, we bring the greatest glory to God, our creator.
As St. Irenaeus in the second century said, “The glory of God is man fully alive.”
To flourish is just that – to be fully alive. This means being fully alive and flourishing and having realized potential. It’s bringing maximum glory to God. That is what we all want for the children in our lives. So often today in the preparations for their future we forget to consider the most critical questions like, “What kind of person are they becoming?” “What do they love?” “Are they forming strong habits, like hard work, attention to detail, confident speech?”
Pursuing these deeper things that shape a whole person – head, heart and hands – is what classical Christian education is all about. Doing this in the context of exploring our amazing God-given heritage is a real joy. Children and even teenagers are capable of surprising us. They are not just absorbing timeless works or going through the motions to pass a test. Through learning about the great men and women who came before us and learning how to think for themselves, students are inspired to true greatness and are coming to ask the right questions of the world around them today. We are thrilled to be a part of the classical Christian education movement. We are equipping young people to flourish as leaders in their communities in a way that goes above and beyond college prep.
