The Trivium

The Foundation of a Classical Education

The Latin word Trivium means “where three roads meet”. All education, up until this century, was structured around these three roads of learning. The ancients called them Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric. The Bible simply calls them Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom.

For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. —Proverbs 2:6

It is important to note that the Trivium has a dual purpose; it is the framework on which all of classical education is designed and correlates roughly to a child’s development. It is also a set of disciplines that each student should master prior to graduation.

Classical education seeks to teach the tools of learning; the love of learning; and the love of truth, goodness, and beauty.

— Dorothy L. Sayers, The Lost Tools of Learning

The scope and sequence of all grades is determined from a top-down approach (12 to Pre-K) and then curriculum is selected to accomplish this goal.

Stages Of Classical Education

  • Grammar

    Pre-K to Sixth Grades

    At this stage, children display a natural ability to memorize and absorb large amounts of information. The emphasis at this level is on filling the students' minds with facts and on developing and refining their skills of memorization, observation, and listening.

  • Logic

    Seventh to Ninth Grades

    At this stage, children begin to demonstrate independent and abstract thinking. Teaching at this level, takes advantage of the students' natural tendencies to argue and question. Students are trained to support their ideas with facts, draw logical conclusions, and recognize flaws in arguments.

  • Rhetoric

    Tenth to Twelfth Grades

    At this stage, children become more concerned with how other people perceive them. Knowledge and skills acquired from the prior stages are applied and built upon. Students are trained to write and speak with clarity, eloquence, and persuasiveness in order to present their ideas and express themselves effectively.