The Geneva School OC
The Geneva School OC, also known as The Geneva School, is located in Orange County, California and is an independent, classical Christian school educating students in grades K-8. The mission of The Geneva School is to provide a time-proven, exceptional classical education within a Christian worldview. Its purpose is to glorify Christ by cultivating a love of knowledge, wisdom, and virtue in its students. As a member of the Association of Classical Christian Schools[1] (ACCS), it is required to subscribe to the Confession of Faith adopted by ACCS and is required to demonstrate conformity to the Trivium as set forth in the ACCS mission statement.
The Geneva School OC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit entity and receives no state or federal funding.
THE GENEVA SCHOOL TODAY
The enrollment in 2017 was approximately 50 students from K to 8, but continues to grow and expand. The student to faculty ratio is approximately 8:1.
The school colors are red, navy and white. Students are required to wear the approved school uniform which consists of a skirt or pants, polo shirt, or dress in school colors. For Wednesday chapel, formal attire is required with girls dressed in a navy dress and boys wearing a sweater with a tie.
The school crest bears a lion and is considered the official mascot. Additionally, the school maintains high rankings in test results and recommendations.
HISTORY
Founding
On August 31, 2017, The Geneva School was formed by a group of 24 families committed to educating their children with an academically rigorous, classical, liberal arts approach that is distinctly Christian. Representing approximately 22 churches and coming from over 14 cities throughout central and south Orange County, the educators and families desired to start a school that would equip students to appreciate and love who God is, what He has done, and understand what He is calling them to do as His people[2]. With this shared passion for excellent classical education, these families enrolled 43 students in grades K-8 with classes starting Tuesday, September 12, 2017.
The school was named after Geneva, Switzerland, the city from where John Calvin, the father of the Reformed Faith [1], did some of his most significant work of the Reformation. John Knox called Calvin's Geneva "the most perfect school of Christ that ever was on earth since the days of the apostles." Based on the history of Geneva and the Biblical belief that names often foretell destiny or mission, they voted and approved the name - The Geneva School.
After determining the name, a meaningful school crest was created. Displayed are six symbols as well as the words Lux Et Veritas. Boldly positioned in the middle of the crest is a shield proudly displaying the cross of Jesus Christ. This is to depict what is taught in Psalm 28:7 [2]- "The LORD is my strength and my shield..." and in Ephesians 6:16 [3] - "...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one". In the upper left corner are three crowns which represent God's sovereignty, Christ as King, and the Trinity. To the right of the crowns is a candle portraying Matthew 5:16 [4] - "...let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
On the lower half of the shield is a lion (on right) and a Bible (Left). The Lion, also the mascot of The Geneva School, symbolizes courage and the royalty of Christ the King. It is also reflective of Proverbs 28:1 [5] where it states "...the righteous are bold as a lion." The image of the Bible denotes the 1726 Yale college laws [6]. It ordained that "Every student shall consider ye main end of his study to know God in Jesus Christ and answerably to lead a Godly sober life."
Separating the statements 'The Geneva School' and Lux Et Veritas (Light and Truth [3] )are two anchors. These anchors gently nod to the school's location near the Pacific Ocean. However, they primarily embody Hebrews 6:19 [7] that states "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
ACADEMICS
The Geneva School employs a highly qualified staff of teachers and faculty. At its founding, The Geneva School opened with 13 teachers and one principal. Currently, the school operates under the direction of headmaster Gina Bonecutter. Smartboard technology is utilized in each classroom.
Beginning in the third grade, Latin is integrated into the classroom where students achieve fluency before eighth grade. The Geneva school is the only school within Orange County, CA that teaches Latin fluency. Its Latin program develops students which consistently perform in the top percentile in the nation. In 2018, 100% of its 6th-8th grade students who took the National Latin Exam passed with honors.
Classical Method
Students are taught using the classical method in all subjects. This approach is called, “classical,” because it dates back to Aristotle and was formalized in the Middle Ages. It is characterized by a whole child approach to learning, using an integrated curriculum, classical books, art, and music, and a formal study of Latin and Logic. In other words, classical education is a liberal arts education.
The classical method is used as it is a proven form of education. It is the highest standard of education and has produced many of the world’s greatest thinkers, authors, scientist, inventors and politicians, such as Augustine of Hippo, Thomas Aquinas, Galileo, Copernicus, Johann Gutenberg, Martin Luther, William Shakespeare, Isaac Newton, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and the rest of our country’s Founding Fathers. Classical education’s developmental wisdom has stood the test of time; it not only creates lifelong learners, but empowers learners to apply knowledge in meaningful ways.
Classical education is set apart from modern education in that its focus is to impart the tools of learning and tailor teaching so that they correspond to the developmental stage of each child. Students are taught using a developmental pathway referred to as the classical “Trivium,” which means the three ways. The three ways track with the natural stages of learning. The first stage is learning the grammar or basic facts (what) of a particular subject. The second stage is learning the logic or internal relationships (why) within and across disciplines. The third and final stage is the rhetoric stage (how) that explores how to practically apply the knowledge that has been gained.
Grammar Stage – Kindergarten through Sixth Grade[edit]
The grammar stage uses tools that leverage students natural ability to memorize. Chants, songs, games, and recitations are used to help the children master facts in phonics, grammar, mathematics, science and history. By matching the learning tools with the children’s developmental stage, The Geneva School lays the necessary foundation students need to engage in learning by equipping them with the facts they will need to think critically in the logic stage.
In the grammar stage, students study their primary language using an analytic phonics, reading, and grammar program and engage in an in-depth writing curriculum. Because 50% of the English language is Latin based, students begin their formal study of Latin in 3rd Grade. Students also engage directly with Latin texts that are part of language and history studies. This intentional integration of subject matter and the chronological approach to the study of history allows students to develop a deep understanding and appreciation for Western Civilization.
Arithmetic and music are key parts of a liberal arts education. Students develop reasoning skills through a rigorous language-based mathematics program, and participate in systematic science studies. Beauty and order in the universe is appreciated by listening to classical music and learning about the composers who have shaped Western history.
Logic Stage – Seventh and Eighth Grade[edit]
The logic stage seeks the “why” behind the facts of the grammar stage. Students want to think through the facts more analytically and are naturally more argumentative. Students develop skills to mount persuasive and coherent arguments needed for critical thinking.
In logic school, formal and informal logic is learned. The classics are studied through Socratic seminars, conversation, dialectic, and debate with peers and instructors. Because Logic pervades each subject of study in this stage, emphasis is placed on recognizing and correcting logical fallacies.
Writing skills are increased by modeling the great writers of Western Civilization and reading primary sources in literature and theology. Science and rigorous math studies continue with formal instruction in Algebra and Geometry.
Rhetoric Stage – Ninth through Twelfth Grade[edit]
Graduates of The Geneva School are prepared to be successful when entering the final stage of the trivium, the rhetoric stage. Rhetoric is an art; the art of persuasive speech and writing. During the rhetoric stage students organize the facts and thinking of the grammar and logic stages in a witty, articulate and persuasive manner. This culminating stage ultimately prepares the student to engage the world as a problem solver and culture shaper.
References[edit]
- ↑ "Find a School | Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS)". Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS). Retrieved 2018-03-30.
- ↑ "History". The Geneva School. 2017-08-13. Retrieved 2018-04-10.
- ↑ "Lux et veritas in English - Latin-English Dictionary - Glosbe". Glosbe. Retrieved 2018-04-19.
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