Engaging Minds Blog

By Peahi Kapepa, TCS parent 

When deciding to send my daughter to Trinity Christian School, I was very attracted to the school as a whole. First, for the obvious reasons that the Bible is taught and prayer and Christ are woven throughout everything the students do from playtime to resolving conflicts and problems.

Now, three years later, I’ve learned about the Classical Christian approach and its benefits as a natural progression of education.  At first, it sounded strange to me.  When it comes to things that seem complicated and fancy, I assume that it’s something that it’s not.  My skepticism was proven right and wrong.  Right, by learning what Classical Christian education is, I realized it is relatively simple and a common-sense approach that has been shown over time.  And wrong, in that the American public education system has strayed far from what was working for so long.  The “new” progressive method has “dumbed down” the basics of how children are taught.

The Trivium is comprised of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric stages but I’ve chosen to focus on the first part of the Trivium: Grammar.  Not only is grammar taught but heavily emphasized in the classical format in K-6.  Grammar is explained using the vehicles of song and chant which is invaluable to memorization.  It’s also fun and causes the kids to thrive in their early years.  Instead of merely learning “grammar,” students are learning all subjects from a logical perspective.  It has been fascinating to see this at work in my daughter.

Another part of the grammar stage of the classical method that attracted me to Trinity is the focus on language.  I was glad to find out that Hawaiian is taught in the first few years of Elementary school because my daughter and I are part-Hawaiian. I have taught her to first identify herself as a child of God, but it’s important to me that she learn about her culture and the beautiful place we are blessed to live.

The other language subject that impressed me is that Latin is taught.  My parents both studied Latin in high school and college, and I know how much they value the understanding it gave them.  I look forward to my daughter  delving into the subject.

We are approaching our fourth year at Trinity, and I am absolutely sold on the classical Christian method of education. I’ve had the perspective of witnessing the school as a parent and as a teacher.  I will testify to the value of classical Christian education and how my daughter has blossomed and excelled in this system.  Our Christian family values are being reinforced at school. My daughter is receiving a superior education based on a proven record. It will continue to enhance her life after she graduates.