Parnassus Preparatory School’s Philosophy of Education: An Overview
The classical Trivium and the instructional methods used in each school address children’s developmental stages, challenging them to reach their highest potential.
Parnassus Preparatory School’s educational philosophy is that all students benefit from the highest standards of academic integrity and from a rigorous, content-based educational program that develops their intellectual capacity and personal character.
Through instructional methods that are aligned with the classical Trivium, history as the chronological backbone of the curriculum, and the integration of the humanities and advanced sciences, the school provides an environment that fosters academic excellence and builds the habits of discipline and perseverance to complete challenging tasks.
The Trivium
The term Trivium refers to the three foundational liberal arts: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. At Parnassus, we believe that the Trivium not only illustrates the the cycle of learning, but that the three phases of the Trivium also correspond to the stages of child development. Each of our three schools uses a distinct pedagogical approach tailored to the interests and abilities of students as they grow and learn.ar dapibus leo.
Pillars of Character
The Pillars of Character at Parnassus are an integral part of our scholars’ education. Students learn about the pillars through our literature and readings in science, history, philosophy, the arts and all other disciplines taught at Parnassus. Our scholars are encouraged to demonstrate the character pillars on a daily bases during class, recess, lunch, and when deeply engaged in Socratic or Harkness method discussions. Read below for a brief overview of our pillars of character.
Citizenship
To honor rules and laws and act with obedience toward authority. To give of my time and abilities to serve others. To uphold social equality and fairness through respect for individual differences and knowledge of our democratic system.
Cooperation
To take turns, share and pay attention. To work with others for the good of all involved with a positive attitude. To be a team-player by doing my best and to support others to do their best.
Courage
To always do what I know is right despite hardship and challenge. To resist negative peer pressure and provide positive peer influence. To defend the rights of others and myself.
Honesty
To always be truthful with my words and actions, no matter how difficult.
Integrity
To make the best choices with my words and behavior by knowing the difference between right and wrong and to ask for adult help if I am not sure. To be a person of strong ethical values.
Perseverance
To complete a task or project to the best of my ability. To not give up or act on discouragement. To be committed to creatively finding a solution.
Respect
To treat others and myself with kindness. To be polite and considerate. To appreciate the good in others and myself and show compassion. To treat others and the property of others as I wish to be treated.
Responsibility
To do what I say I will do and be someone others can count on. To use self-discipline when choosing my words, actions, and emotions. To learn from the consequences of my choices, challenges, and mistakes rather than making excuses or blaming others.
The Role of the Teacher
Teachers are the heart of the school. Without dedicated, competent teachers, the best educational practices will never come to fruition in the classroom. Parnassus Preparatory School teachers are expected to implement the school’s academic mission. In the classroom, the teacher is in charge. Outside of the classroom, teachers receive professional guidance with respect to specific goals and objectives.
At Parnassus, education is derived from the philosophies found in the left-hand column of the table below. By enrolling your child at Parnassus, you will witness firsthand the qualities and benefits of a classical education and specific character curriculum.
Role of the Teacher
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Students learn right from wrong from their studies, from adult guidance, and from extra-curricular activities
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Morality develops from the individual’s experience
- It is best learned when not taught directly
Curriculum
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Core subjects are taught separately;
- History and Geography are defined
- Explicit phonics instruction is used to teach reading
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Any subject can serve to develop problem-solving abilities and creativity;
- Social Studies combines History, Sociology, Geography and Anthropology
Work Habits
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Students are expected to work hard and to learn what is taught;
- Students are taught important skills to help them become good citizens and learners
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- The best learning comes when students are interested in what they learn;
- Teachers are to encourage students to follow their own interests in learning;
- Students are assumed to have good habits
Promotion
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Promotion is largely by achievement;
- Student may be remediated and retained if achievement is too low
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Social promotion is preferred;
- Student is promoted with age group even if achievement is too low
Teacher’s Background
What Parnassus Is:
Knowledge-centered/intellectualist
- Education in subject matter being taught is preferred;
- Of course, excellent teaching methods are also required to help students learn the content
What Parnassus Is Not:
Student-centered/anti-intellectualist
- Teacher’s mastery of subject matter is considered less important than an understanding of child and adolescent development
Our Classrooms
Parnassus Preparatory School provides an excellent education through an academically rigorous curriculum. Our school day is structured around teacher-led direct instruction in the School of Grammar, lectures and the Socratic method of questioning and answering in the School of Logic, and through Harkness Table discussions in the School of Rhetoric.
At Parnassus, we believe in knowledge-centered education where the teacher is the leader of classroom instruction. You will not find cooperative learning centers or student pods in our classrooms or observe project-based, child-directed instruction taking place.
In the Schools of Grammar and Logic, desks face the front of the room. Our students stand when they answer or address teachers as a sign of respect as well as means toward training our young scholars to be comfortable in standing and speaking in front of others. In the School of Rhetoric, the Harkness Table method is the center of our instruction technique for most courses.
Classroom bookcases are filled with classics and other well-written literature and our classroom space is used to educate, not decorate. The following list provides an overview of what you will and will not see in a Parnassus classroom.
Classroom Appearance
What Parnassus Classroom Is
- Scholarly setting
- Students seated at desks squared facing front in the Schools of Grammar and Logic
- Students seated around the “Harkness” style table for discussions in the School of Rhetoric in most courses
- Organized, uncluttered room free from distractions
- Visuals related to curriculum only
- Students’ curriculum-based work exhibited
What Parnassus Classroom Is Not
- Students teaching their peers
- Students working on the floor with improper body posture and increased distraction
- Students seated at tables during instruction facing many directions
- Students needing to adjust their bodies to face the front
- Student work displayed that is not related to the curriculum or is categorized as “cute”
- Busy knick-knacks
- Holiday decorations
Classroom Discipline and Expectations
What Parnassus Classroom Is
- Successful discipline system in action
- Clear expectations set forth
- Students exhibit respect addressing others Mr./Ms., Magister/Magistra, Sir, Madame, et cetera
- Students stand tall every time they address the teacher
- Students stand tall when participating in curriculum-related exercises such as disputation/debate, discussions, mock trials
- High-expectations in every aspect of the school
- Homework supports the curriculum and reinforces the concepts that are taught
What Parnassus Classroom Is Not
- Discipline system not respected or successful
- Unclear expectations
- Students address authority “dude” “bro” “Mr. D.” et cetera
- Students lounging in their chairs
- Low expectations; “they are just kids” type of attitude
- Homework is limited, non-existent, or busy work
School Uniforms
Parnassus Preparatory School students are expected to dress in a way that aligns with our philosophy of maintaining a learning environment that focuses on the development of each student’s academic potential, personal character, and leadership skills. The uniform policy and dress code seek to create a safe learning environment with a formal and unique look for each school that highlights and emphasizes the academic culture and seriousness of learning at Parnassus. Students and parents are asked to commit to this idea as well.
Dismissal & Transportation
Parnassus Preparatory School has Daily Dismissal Procedures. Learn more about pick up lines, bus routes and submitting transportation change requests.