4 Pillars of Education

With a classical distinction that reflects the motto of Charlotte Mason: “Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life”, we purpose to model this distinction in our classrooms through a beautiful atmosphere, formation of good habits, and the presentation of living ideas through helping each student relationally connect with our generous curriculum.

The Atmosphere of Environment:

The presentation of ideas must take into account the atmosphere in which a person is learning. We purpose to create an atmosphere that exercises the mind and inspires the heart of each child to develop a love of learning as they encounter beauty within their world and studies.

The Disciplines of Life:

Learning to contemplate, organize, write and speak thoughts from well chosen lessons is an important part of the daily life of our students. Our teachers will help children and their families apply the development of good habits in their daily thoughts and routines. Charlotte Mason had much to say about habits and character development. We purpose to come along side parents to guide children in the development of healthy habits.

“The formation of habits is education, and Education is the formation of habits.”- C. Mason (pg. 97 vol. 1)

“Each of us has in his possession an exceedingly good servant or a very bad master, known as Habit. The heedless, listless person is a servant of habit; the useful, alert person is the master of a valuable habit. – C. Mason (vol. 4, Book 1, p. 208)

The Presentation of Living Ideas:

Putting each student in contact with living ideas through the exposure to the great authors, scientists, mathematical principles, nature, artists, poets, and musicians is a hallmark of a classical approach to education.

We agree with Charlotte Mason’s distinction that “Mind appeals to mind and thought begets thought and that is how we become educated. For this reason we owe it to every child to put him in communication with great minds that he may get at great thoughts; with the minds, that is, of those who have left us great works; and the only vital method of education appears to be that children should read worth books, many worthy books”.- C. Mason, introduction Towards a Philosophy of Education

The Science of Relations in the 21st Century:

Students have natural connections with the world around them. We purpose to cultivate these connections by giving them the opportunity to discover unity within all the core subjects. The Science of Relations is the manner in which we help children discover truths from the past and how these truths can interconnect with the world and people around them in the 21st Century.

Children should experience a Science of Relations as they engage with one another, their world, and time-tested great ideas through a generous curriculum (a truly liberal arts and sciences education).

“Our part is to remove obstructions and to give stimulus and guidance to the child who is trying to get into touch with the universe of things and thoughts which belong to him.” – C. Mason