The Rhetoric Stage
9th - 12th Grade
The memorization of facts gained through the early years of the grammar stage coupled with the logic stage where a teenager begins to question and search for the “why” of something has laid the foundation and prepared a student for the final stage of classical education: the rhetoric stage. The rhetoric stage is naturally when students become independent thinkers and communicators. During the rhetoric stage, students are engaged in active and meaningful dialogue, high-quality oral presentations, debates, defending their positions with the use of facts and primary sources, and discovering wrong or weak arguments. They learn to defend what is true, beautiful, and virtuous.
CULTURE
Christian faith is emphasized. Each week the entire student body joins together for chapel service. It is a time for students to reflect, grow in their faith and love of God, and grow in their understanding of the truth.
Engagement in various activities is encouraged. GPLS provides opportunities for students to become well-rounded individuals through sports, music, performing arts, and visual arts. Classical education goes beyond the classroom.
Service to others is a priority. Students are given opportunities to serve in clubs as mentors to younger students, opportunities to teach music, and are responsible for keeping their campus beautiful.
Life-long friendships are cultivated. Middle school years were the toughest. We have been eyewitnesses to classes becoming closer and friendships strengthened as students get older. Friends are established across grade-levels.
Filled with thought provoking texts of Western civilization from the ancient Greeks to the early modern period.
CURRICULUM
9th Curriculum
The Greeks:
Histories, Philosophers, Drama & Lyrics
Literature & Poetry
Latin Henle II
Biology
Algebra II
Introductory & Intermediate Logic
Writing & Rhetoric:
Thesis Part I & II
Choir
10th Curriculum
The Romans:
Historians, Early Christianity, Nicene Christianity
Literature & Poetry
Latin Mueller Caesar
Advanced Chemistry
Geometry
Classical Rhetoric
Choir
11th Curriculum
Christendom:
Early Medievals, Defense of the Faith, The Medieval Mind, The Reformation
Literature & Poetry
Senior Thesis Research
Greek I
Pre-Calculus
Physics
American History
Choir
12th Curriculum
The Early Moderns:
The Rise of England
Poetry & Politics, The Enlightenment
Literature & Poetry
Senior Thesis
Greek II & Hebrew I
Calculus
Anatomy & Physiology
American Government and Politics
Choir