The classical method education is characterized by academic excellence, a biblical worldview, and a building-blocks approach (referred to as the "trivium") that starts with factual knowledge ("grammar"), develops it through ordered critical thinking ("logic"), and completes it with clear, concise and persuasive expression ("rhetoric"). In TPS, these elements are included not just in the classical track, but in the overall TPS scope and sequence for every subject and in each individual course. However, the TPS classical track adds to those attributes an interdisciplinary focus, where core courses (e.g., history, worldview, literature, composition) are combined into an integrated core discipline that weaves together the various elements within the core.

Contrary to common misconception, a classical education is not primarily a study of great books of Western literature, though it does include in-depth study of such works. Consistent with our overall approach to education at The Potter's School, a classical education strives for academic excellence in all fields of study, since all study of truth is really a study of the God who is Truth. Because this overall emphasis is difficult to find in published curriculums, we have built our own classical program that combines our own newly-developed integrated core with some of our rigorous existing courses to form a curriculum that pursues godly excellence in all areas. And because academic education is a subset of biblical discipleship, our classical track features the timely personalized feedback that has long been our hallmark, through an opportunity to develop close-knit relationships with teachers who are really mentors and disciplers.

The TPS classical track option is a rigorous integrated four year plan of required and recommended courses designed to be started in Year 1 and followed through to Year 4. It includes some core literature, composition and history courses that are required for TPS classical track students and available only to those students pursuing the four year classical track. For students following a customized track, we have other courses equivalent in content, scope and rigor that may be taken outside the integrated classical track.

American History - Pre-Colonial to Reconstruction (required)

American Literature and Composition (required)

TPS Starting Points (required)

TPS math (usually Geometry or higher) (recommended)

TPS science (usually Biology) (recommended)

TPS Latin 1 or Greek 1 (recommended)

Classical Symposium (required)

Notes: (1) TPS Logic or approved equivalent must be taken as a prerequisite to Year 1 or during Year 1 or Year 2. (2) Some students may be required to take a one-semester Grammar Review course during Year 1.

Ancient History - Creation to Fall of Rome (required)

Ancient Literature and Composition (required)

TPS Old Testament (required)

TPS math (usually Advanced Algebra or higher) (recommended)

TPS science (usually Chemistry) (recommended)

TPS Latin 2 or Greek 2 (recommended)

Classical Symposium (required)

Western History - Middle Ages to Revolutions (required)

Middle Period Literature (required)

TPS Rhetoric 1 (required)

TPS New Testament (required)

TPS math (usually Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry or higher) (recommended)

TPS science (usually Physics) (recommended)

Classical Symposium (required)

Modern History - Revolutions to Present (required)

Modern Literature (required)

TPS Rhetoric 2 (required)

TPS Theology and TPS Apologetics (required)

TPS math (usually Functions, Statistics, and Trigonometry or higher) (recommended)

TPS science (usually Physics) (recommended)

Classical Symposium (required)

For a more detailed listing of our outstanding classical courses, please go to our Courses page.