Rhetoric
Grades 10-12
Along with hundreds of sister-schools around the world, we are working by God’s grace to repair the ruins of what once was a great Christian civilization. We are seeking Christ’s kingdom on earth and are purposefully preparing leaders to grow the church and bless the world. Learn more about our approach and curriculum.
Rhetoric
As the capstone of classical education, young adults learn rhetoric, defined as the art of a good man speaking well. More than a modern public speaking class, rhetoric study introduces students to the ideals of ancient orators, including the rhetorical strategies of the apostle Paul. Like Paul, our aim is that students will speak the truth boldly as they ought with respect to their fellowman and are always ready to give a reason for the hope that they have.
Omnibus
The bulk of the school day in 10th-12th grades is spent in Omnibus class. Omnibus, Latin for “all-encompassing,” is an integrative study of history, literature, and theology through books considered to be part of the great conversation of great ideas. The curriculum cycles through Ancient, Medieval, and Modern time periods twice in their upper school years and by 12th grade, students will have worked through every book of the Bible. Students engage with the best works that man has to offer to either emulate or refute as called for when held next to the Word of God.
These are some of the great works Rhetoric students will discuss!
The Apostolic Fathers, Augusts Caesar’s World, The Iliad, Shakespeare, Josephus, Meditations, The Republic of Plato, The Divine Comedy, The Prince, Summa Theologica, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Brave New World, Democracy in America, Moby Dick, The Space Trilogy, On Christian Doctrine, Paradise Lost
Superlatives
The focus at Agape Christi is on the liberal arts, education that equips graduates for living as a freely governed people under the Lordship of Christ. Within Christ’s kingdom, however, there are many other areas of study that every student would benefit from having at least a cursory understanding. The goal of the Superlatives course is to increase student’s ability to effectively serve as faithful stewards of the world (Gen. 1:28, 1 Cor. 10:31). Topics for the course vary from year to year, but have included finance, cooking, Microsoft Office, interior design, and engineering taught by subject experts within the school community.
Thesis
Agape Christi Academy cultivates faithful leaders in the love of Christ for cultural Christian transformation. Therefore, graduates must be able to read well, write well, think well, and speak well, balancing confidence with humility. In addition, effective godly leaders are able to identify topics of contention in the world and confront them with the word of God. In their junior and senior years, students present a thesis project before expert panelists, allowing them to employ all their acquired skills and knowledge for its defense.
Protocol
Protocol describes the etiquette training given to young men and women followed by a special event, such as a ball or dinner cruise, to put the training into practice. It is not “Prom” in the sense of the current public school tradition that has devolved to self-gratification. Instead, Protocol is intentional training in Christian charity to encourage honor and deference to one another. Young ladies are assigned an escort for each half of the evening which is announced to them at the start of the evening. Escort duties include: opening doors, finding the table, pushing in chairs, initiating toasts. Protocol is a very special evening that students will cherish long after their time at Agape Christi.
Houses
In most large school settings, it’s easy for students to gravitate toward what they’re familiar with or good at doing. An athletic student sticks with the athletes, poetry lovers hang with the literary crowd, etc., not realizing they are part of a much fuller community! At Agape Christi, we are training young men and women to see that their identity is not only in what they’re good at or what they enjoy, but that it is in the Body of Christ. To encourage this type of community, Upper School students (grades 7-12) are placed into four Houses. The Houses meet once a week for competitive challenges such as the annual pie baking contest. The wonderful end result of a House System is a unified community of diverse ages and talents.
The Arts
The Arts are not electives at Agape Christi Academy. All students receive instruction in music and fine art through high school.
Learn MoreAthletics
Students have every opportunity to work their bodies hard whether in required physical education classes or on competitive sports teams.
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Music is essential for cultural transformation. Starting with do, re, me, all students are taught to read music just as if learning another language.
Learn MoreTraditions
Good food and fellowship are at the center of our traditions. We have much to celebrate and give back in thanks to God!
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