Course Recommendations by Grade Level

Course Recommendations by Grade Level

In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we seek a true classical Catholic education, while simultaneously satisfying the requirements of modern education laws. As these are two separate streams of learning, they are best kept separate, with the modern requirements being completed in an efficient manner that does not crowd out the more important studies.

It must be understood that the modern K-12 grade level system never existed in world history before the public schools were created in the 1850s. The great flaw of most homeschools and private schools is that they imagine that they will follow the public school model which, in the end, only means one thing: they will neglect classical Catholic education and complete only the minimum modern standards (if they do that much). This is the plague of modern Catholic education.

Only in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy do we maintain our focus on classical Catholic studies while satisfying modern requirements. This method of education is different and requires some learning, but it will prove simpler and more effective in the long run.

Goal: Classical Catholic AND Modern Studies

In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we work to complete both classical Catholic and modern studies. This can only be done by (a) focusing on classical Catholic studies and (b) completing modern studies in the simplest and most efficient way possible. This can only be done in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. Course IDs reveal whether courses are considered classical (TRV, QRV, PHL, THL, HUM) or modern (ELA, FLA, MAT, SCI, SOC). In the Classical Liberal Arts Academy, we work to complete both classical Catholic and modern studies.

I. Primary (Ages 6-14, Grades 1-8)

In the Catholic Church, children are said to reach the “age of Reason” around age 7, which is why the sacraments of Penance and First Communion are administered at this time. Likewise, in ancient times, a student aged 6-14 was considered a child (παις) and the “childish” education given was called paideia (παιδεια). The focus of this period in classical education was on physical development through “Gymnastics”, cultural development through Music, and academic development through Grammar. Gymnastics and Music continued throughout a student’s education and parents are encouraged to provide for these through private, local activities.

Grade K (Ages 3-6)

The following courses provide satisfy modern grade K requirements and add opportunities for the beginning of classical Catholic studies:
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-091 HANDWRITING I
    2. ELA-000 ENGLISH READING K
    3. ELA-020 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE K
  2. Mathematics
    1. MAT-011 MODERN ARITHMETIC I
  3. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  4. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
  5. THL-011 BALTIMORE CATECHISM 0
    1. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 1 (Ages 6-7)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 1st grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-091 HANDWRITING I
    2. ELA-001 ENGLISH READING 1
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-021 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 1
  2. Mathematics
    1. MAT-011 MODERN ARITHMETIC I
  3. Science
    1. SCI-171 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 1
  4. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  5. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-111 BALTIMORE CATECHISM I

Grade 2 (Ages 7-8)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 2nd grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-091 HANDWRITING I
    2. ELA-002 ENGLISH READING 2
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-022 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 2
  2. Mathematics
    1. MAT-011 MODERN ARITHMETIC I
  3. Science
    1. SCI-172 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 2
  4. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  5. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-111 BALTIMORE CATECHISM I
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 3 (Ages 8-9)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 3rd grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Langauge Arts
    1. ELA-094 HANDWRITING IV
    2. ELA-003 ENGLISH READING 3
    3. ELA-101 ELEMENTARY GRAMMAR
    4. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    5. ELA-023 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 3
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-121 MODERN ARITHMETIC II
  4. Science
    1. SCI-173 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 3
  5. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  6. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-111 BALTIMORE CATECHISM I
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 4 (Ages 9-10)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 4th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-094 HANDWRITING IV
    2. ELA-004 ENGLISH READING 4
    3. ELA-101 ELEMENTARY GRAMMAR
    4. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    5. ELA-024 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 4
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-121 MODERN ARITHMETIC II
  4. Science
    1. SCI-174 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 4
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-101 WORLD CHRONOLOGY
  6. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  7. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-111 BALTIMORE CATECHISM I
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 5 (Ages 10-11)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 5th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-005 ENGLISH READING 5
    2. ELA-101 ELEMENTARY GRAMMAR
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-025 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 5
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-151 MODERN ARITHMETIC III
    2. MAT-141 ELEMENTARY GEOMETRY
  4. Science
    1. SCI-175 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 5
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-101 WORLD CHRONOLOGY
    2. HUM-112 ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY
  6. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  7. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-111 BALTIMORE CATECHISM I
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 6th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. ELA-006 ENGLISH READING 6
    2. ELA-101 ELEMENTARY GRAMMAR
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-026 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 6
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-151 MODERN ARITHMETIC III
    2. MAT-141 ELEMENTARY GEOMETRY
  4. Science
    1. SCI-176 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 6
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-101 WORLD CHRONOLOGY
    2. HUM-112 ELEMENTARY GEOGRAPHY
  6. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  7. Theology
    1. THL-100 CATHOLIC BIBLE I
    2. THL-211 BALTIMORE CATECHISM II
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 7 (Ages 12-13)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 7th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-027 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 7
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-261 PRE-ALGEBRA (OS)
    2. MAT-141 ELEMENTARY GEOMETRY
  4. Science
    1. SCI-177 ELEMENTARY SCIENCE 7
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-101 WORLD CHRONOLOGY
    2. HUM-212 ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY
  6. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  7. Theology
    1. THL-200 CATHOLIC BIBLE II
    2. THL-211 BALTIMORE CATECHISM II
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 8 (Ages 13-14)

The following courses allow students to satisfy modern 8th grade requirements and prepare for classical Catholic studies. Advanced students may begin Latin Reading at any time.
  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR
    3. ELA-100 ENGLISH SPELLING
    4. ELA-028 ELEMENTARY LITERATURE 8
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-110 LATIN VOCABULARY
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-261 PRE-ALGEBRA (OS)
    2. MAT-141 ELEMENTARY GEOMETRY
  4. Science
    1. SCI-201 INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-101 WORLD CHRONOLOGY
    2. HUM-212 ANCIENT GEOGRAPHY
  6. Philosophy
    1. PHL-101 AESOP’S FABLES
  7. Theology
    1. THL-200 CATHOLIC BIBLE II
    2. THL-211 BALTIMORE CATECHISM II
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

II. Secondary (Ages 14-18+, Grades 9-12)

Historically, age 14 was recognized as the time when a boy (παις) became a lad (μειρακιον), and his education advanced to a new level until he became a young man (ἐφηβος) at age 18. It was at this time, age 14, that King Philip of Macedon arranged for Aristotle to tutor his son, Alexander. In the Catholic Church, we find the sacrament of Confirmation taking place at this time. In medieval times, students could move to the University at this time. Academically, a student needs to take responsibility for his own studies, and work as hard as possible to make year-round progress.

The following course recommendations are for homeschool students. To view the CLAA’s Accredited High School diploma program, click here.

Grade 9 (Ages 14-15)

The following courses provide satisfy modern 9th grade requirements and add opportunities for rigorous classical Catholic study:
  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR
    3. HUM-321 CLASSICAL GREEK LITERATURE
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-111 LATIN READING I
    2. TRV-221 LATIN GRAMMAR I
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-321 ELEMENTARY ALGEBRA (OS)
  4. Science
    1. SCI-301 MODERN BIOLOGY (OS)
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-301 WORLD HISTORY
  6. Trivium
    1. TRV-351 CLASSICAL LOGIC
    2. TRV-361 CLASSICAL RHETORIC
  7. Quadrivium
    1. QRV-311 CLASSICAL ARITHMETIC
    2. QRV-321 CLASSICAL GEOMETRY
  8. Philosophy
    1. PHL-311 CLASSICAL ETHICS
    2. PHL-321 CLASSICAL PHYSICS
    3. PHL-331 CLASSICAL METAPHYSICS
  9. Theology
    1. THL-351 SACRED SCRIPTURE I
    2. THL-451 CCC I
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 10 (Ages 15-16)

The following courses provide satisfy modern 10th grade requirements and add opportunities for rigorous classical Catholic study:

  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR
    3. HUM-322 ROMAN LITERATURE
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-121 LATIN READING II (PSALMS)
    2. TRV-321 LATIN GRAMMAR II (SYNTAX)
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-341 INTERMEDIATE ALGEBRA (OS)
  4. Science
    1. SCI-302 MODERN PHYSICS (OS)
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-301 WORLD HISTORY
  6. Trivium
    1. TRV-351 CLASSICAL LOGIC
    2. TRV-361 CLASSICAL RHETORIC
  7. Quadrivium
    1. QRV-311 CLASSICAL ARITHMETIC
    2. QRV-321 CLASSICAL GEOMETRY I
  8. Philosophy
    1. PHL-311 CLASSICAL ETHICS
    2. PHL-321 CLASSICAL PHYSICS
    3. PHL-331 CLASSICAL METAPHYSICS
  9. Theology
    1. THL-352 SACRED SCRIPTURE II
    2. THL-451/2 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH I/II
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 11 (Ages 16-17)

The following courses provide satisfy modern 11th grade requirements and add opportunities for rigorous classical Catholic study:
  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR (REVIEW)
    3. HUM-323 ENGLISH LITERATURE
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-311 LATIN READING III (AQUINAS)
    2. TRV-321 LATIN GRAMMAR II
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-411 PRE-CALCULUS (OS)
  4. Science
    1. SCI-403 MODERN CHEMISTRY(OS)
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-311 AMERICAN HISTORY
  6. Trivium
    1. TRV-351 CLASSICAL LOGIC
    2. TRV-361 CLASSICAL RHETORIC
  7. Quadrvium
    1. QRV-311 CLASSICAL ARITHMETIC
    2. QRV-321 CLASSICAL GEOMETRY I
  8. Philosophy
    1. PHL-311 CLASSICAL ETHICS
    2. PHL-321 CLASSICAL PHYSICS
    3. PHL-331 CLASSICAL METAPHYSICS
  9. Theology
    1. THL-353 SACRED SCRIPTURE III
    2. THL-452/3 CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH II/III
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS

Grade 12 (Ages 17-18)

The following courses provide satisfy modern 12th grade requirements and add opportunities for rigorous classical Catholic study:
  1. English Language Arts
    1. TRV-301 ENGLISH COMPOSITION
    2. TRV-201 CLASSICAL GRAMMAR
    3. HUM-324 AMERICAN LITERATURE
  2. Latin
    1. TRV-411 LATIN READING IV
    2. TRV-421 LATIN GRAMMAR III
  3. Mathematics
    1. MAT-441 CALCULUS I
  4. Science
    1. SCI-404 MODERN ASTRONOMY (OS) OR
    2. SCI-405 ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (OS)
  5. Social Studies
    1. HUM-421 AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
  6. Trivium
    1. TRV-351 CLASSICAL LOGIC
    2. TRV-361 CLASSICAL RHETORIC
  7. Quadrivium
    1. QRV-311 CLASSICAL ARITHMETIC
    2. QRV-321 CLASSICAL GEOMETRY I
  8. Philosophy
    1. PHL-311 CLASSICAL ETHICS
    2. PHL-321 CLASSICAL PHYSICS
    3. PHL-331 CLASSICAL METAPHYSICS
  9. Theology
    1. THL-355/6 SACRED SCRIPTURE V/VI (NT)
    2. THL-453/4 CCC III/IV
    3. THL-151 LIVES OF THE SAINTS