Academics
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Overview
Overview
Pietas Classical Christian is designed to form virtue and intellectual excellence in young people by exposing them to the liberal arts through the method of classical training. Our focus on moral formation flows from our commitment and allegiance to Jesus Christ and our obedience to the commission he has given to His people: make disciples of all nations. A disciple is simply a student and follower of Christ. Therefore, our entire project rests on the teachings found in God’s revelation to us, the Bible, and our chief aim is to help students grow a deep understanding of what faith in Christ means, and how to understand the world He has created for walking faithfully with Him in this present age.
Since we are committed to that end, we recognize that the Bible is clear that parents are the primary agents responsible for the spiritual and intellectual formation of their children. Our program, therefore, does not seek to replace the parents, but functions to provide a robust weekly structure, carefully selected curriculum, and seasoned teachers to maximize the success of training children through a host of advisors (Proverbs 15:22). When you come to Pietas Classical Christian you are getting decades of experience in training children distilled down to a concentrated form and employed via a time-tested vision and method for education.
Our program is for students from K-12th grade. At Pietas, we employ a unique approach of teaching students according to their individual skill levels by tailoring the program to fit their educational needs. It is our firm belief that children do not benefit from being categorized by and pushed through the modern educational grade structure. Rather, our aim is mastery of the material. We have the flexibility to continue training children in their weak areas while also allowing them to advance in the subjects they have shown competency in. This gives the students, teachers, and parents the freedom to take control of the educational endeavor rather than the one-size-fits-all approach of the current model. Students will be evaluated at the end of every school year and the parents and staff of Pietas will discuss a strategy for each student going into the next school year.
Locations
Central Brevard facility – 5995 N. Wickham Rd. Building B, Melbourne, FL 32940
North Brevard facility – 1935 S Fiske Blvd, Rockledge, FL 32955
Central and North Brevard
2025-2026 Academic Year
Fall semester: August 11th- December 4th
Spring semester: January 5th- April 23rd
Weekly Schedule
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
K - 2nd: 8:20 am - 12:15pm
3rd - 12th: 8:20am - 3:15pm
Pietas Curriculum Grades K - 12
Grades K-6 (2025-2026)
Reading great books and discussing great ideas to the glory of our great God.
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom in learning from books as well as from nature.”
– Mortimer J. Adler and Charles van Doren (How to Read a Book)
“Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.”
- Proverbs 23:12
Pietas Classical Christian Mission
To help students rightly order their loves by educating them in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty through the seven liberal arts and the great books, with Christ as the cosmological center.
Pedagogy (Method of Teaching)
In short, in-class narration (telling back what has just been read) and dialogue will be the heart-and-soul of Pietas’s method of teaching, although dialogue will become more of a practice in the higher grades. Regular instruction will also be implemented, but narration and dialogue are partand-parcel of an active self-education, whereby the students become fully engaged in what is being learned, as opposed to simply receiving information to be memorized. Charlotte Mason even referred to narration as “the act of knowing,” for knowledge is assimilated in the reproduction of what has been read. She goes on to say, “All the acts of generalization, analysis, comparison, judgment, and so on, the mind performs for itself in the act of knowing” (A Philosophy of Education, 304).
Commonplace Book
Beginning in grade 3, each student will be required to keep a commonplace book (click here for an example of the kind of journal notebook to be used). A commonplace book, in short, is a notebook that is used to write important thoughts, quotations, maxims, poems, proverbs, etc. They are not diaries.
Curriculum Guide Notes
The grid below lists the curriculum that will be used for each thread as well as the books that students are required to have. If there are no links in a box, that means there are no required books that need to be purchased. The exception is math; the materials and books that are required will be sent in a separate message with your student(s)’ levels. When possible, please purchase the edition that is provided in the link. However, you do not need to purchase it from that particular store. You only need to purchase individual student copies for any books that are consumable.
k - 6th Curriculum:
|
|
Literature |
L.A. |
Bible |
History |
Science |
Math |
Latin |
|
K |
Selected Leveled Readers |
Literacy Essentials: Kindergarten |
Gentle and Classical Primer |
Gentle and Classical Primer |
Gentle and Classical: Inland Waterways and Forests |
RightStart |
N/A |
|
1st |
Selected Leveled Readers |
Literacy Essentials: 1st Grade |
Gentle and Classical Sequence 1 |
Gentle and Classical Sequence 1 |
Gentle and Classical: Shorelines and Oceans |
RightStart |
N/A |
|
2nd |
A Kiss for Little Bear, Little Bear Book Set, Mouse Soup, Mouse Tales, Frog and Toad: Collection, Grasshopper on the Road, Owl at Home |
Literacy Essentials: 2nd Grade |
Veritas: Genesis to Joshua |
Veritas: Old Testament and Ancient Egypt; Story of the Ancient World by Christine Miller |
Gentle and Classical: Agricultural Science |
RightStart |
N/A |
|
3rd |
Novels: Mr. Poppers Penguins Charlotte’s Web Stone Fox Little House on the Prairie Winnie the Pooh Tales from the Odyssey, Part 1 |
Cottage Press Primer 1 Scriptorium Primer Literacy Essentials Grade 3 |
Veritas: Judges to Kings |
Veritas: New Testament, Greece, and Rome; Story of the Greeks and Story of the Romans by Christine Miller |
Berean Builders: Science in the Ancient World |
RightStart |
Storybook Latin |
|
4th |
Whipping Boy Door in the Wall Wind in the Willows Sign of the Beaver Detectives in Togas (NB) Trumpet of the Swan (CB) Just So Stories |
Cottage Pres Primer 2 Scriptorium Level 1
|
Veritas: Chronicles to Malachi |
Veritas: Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation; Story of the Middle ages and Story of the Renaissance and Reformation by Christine Miller |
Berean Builders: Science in the Scientific Revolution |
RightStart |
Storybook Latin |
|
5th |
Johnny Tremain Where the Red Fern Grows The Princess and the Goblin Usborne Complete Shakespeare Witch of Blackbird Pond Carry On, Mr. Bowditch |
Cottage Press Fable & Song Scriptorium Level 2
|
Veritas: Gospels |
Veritas: Explorers to 1815; Story of the Thirteen Colonies and Story of the Great Republic by Christine Miller |
Berean Builders: Science in the Age of Reason George Washington Carver: Man’s Slave Becomes God’s Scientist
The Ocean of Truth: The Story of Sir Isaac Newton |
RightStart |
Storybook Latin 2 |
|
6th |
Adventures of Tom Sawyer The Hiding Place Treasure Island White Fang Bound for Oregon Grimms’ Fairy Tales
|
Cottage Press Bards & Poets 1 Scriptorium Level 3
|
Veritas: Acts to Revelation |
Veritas: 1815 to the Present; Story of the Great Republic by Christine Miller, Story of the US books 8-10 |
Berean Builders: Science in the Industrial Age
It Couldn’t Just Happen
Ordinary Genius: The Story of Albert Einstein |
RightStart |
Storybook Latin 2 |
Grades 7-12 (2025-2026)
Reading great books and discussing great ideas to the glory of our great God.
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom in learning from books as well as from nature.” – Mortimer J. Adler and Charles van Doren (How to Read a Book)
“Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.” - Proverbs 23:12
Pietas Classical Christian Mission:
To help students rightly order their loves by educating them in Truth, Goodness, and Beauty through the seven liberal arts and the great books, with Christ as the cosmological center.
Three-Year History Cycle
The structure of our 7-12 curriculum is based on a three-year history cycle: Ancient/Classical, Medieval/Middle, and Modern. This cycle by grade is as follows:
7th: Ancient/Classical
8th: Medieval/Middle
9th: Modern
10th: Ancient/Classical
11th: Medieval/Middle
12th: Modern
The three-year history cycle allows the students to revisit historical periods, refreshing their memories and going more in-depth with more challenging resources.
Two Key Emphases
There are two key emphases throughout this curriculum. First, there is an emphasis on primary sources. While we make use of textbooks, these are often coupled with readings in primary sources. This allows for a richer and more enjoyable education. Second, there is an emphasis on great books and the great ideas (e.g. truth, goodness, beauty, wisdom, the one and many, law, rhetoric). By emphasizing primary sources and great books/great ideas, the students will be caught up in the great conversations that have been going on for centuries. They will learn from the masters themselves, with the teachers serving as trustworthy guides and dialogue partners.
Pedagogy (Method of Teaching)
In short, in-class narration (telling back what has just been read) and dialogue will be the heart-and-soul of Pietas’s method of teaching. Regular instruction will also be implemented, but narration and dialogue is part-and-parcel of an active, self-education, whereby the students become fully engaged in what is being learned, as opposed to simply receiving information to be memorized. Charlotte Mason even referred to narration as “the act of knowing,” for knowledge is assimilated in the reproduction of what has been read. She goes on to say, “All the acts of generalization, analysis, comparison, judgment, and so on, the mind performs for itself in the act of knowing” (A Philosophy of Education, 304).
Readings and Assignments
As you look through our curriculum, one thing that may come to mind is, “They don’t seem to have as much reading as other classical curriculums.” There are four things to keep in mind here. First, the Notgrass history books include a book that consists of primary source readings related to the main texts. For instance, Our Creative World accompanies the From Adam to Us history books. Our Creative World contains primary source readings and is about 150 pages. The primary source readings of In Their Words accompanies Exploring World History and contains about 400 pages. Second, we don’t want students to rush through books. This can be a problem with some classical curriculums that pack in a bunch of reading. Instead, we want our students to contemplate what they are reading. One way we help them do this is by requiring that they keep a commonplace book (see below). Books will also be discussed during in-class days. For example, they may discuss the significance of Tolkien writing that Smeagol became obsessed with the origins and roots of things, digging in the ground, and ceased to look up in becoming Gollum (from The Fellowship of the Ring). What is it about looking up that orients our minds on the Good? How is this directionality used in other literature? These are things that can easily be overlooked if students are just concerned with finishing a book so they can get on to the next one. Third, another way we help the students come away with a deeper knowledge and appreciation of these books is by having them do narration (oral and written) and write short essays. All of this helps the students to better understand how these books contribute to the great conversation on the great ideas. Fourth, and final, we will provide parents with a recommended reading list based on grade. If it seems like your child is completing all of his assignments on time and needs more to do, this recommended reading list may be used to give your child additional reading. While Pietas will not have assignments associated with the recommended readings, parents are of course free to come up with their own assignments if they wish.
Commonplace Book
Each student will be required to keep a commonplace book (click here for an example of the kind of journal notebook to be used). A commonplace book, in short, is a notebook that is used to write important thoughts, quotations, maxims, poems, proverbs, etc. They are not diaries.
7th - 12th Curriculum:
|
|
7th |
8th |
9th |
10th |
11th |
12th |
|
Math |
Right Start Level H |
Elementary Algebra (Jacobs) |
Geometry (Jacobs) |
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry (Foerster) |
Algebra 2 and Trigonometry (Foerster) |
Calculus (Foerster) |
|
Science |
The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky (Lisle)
Signs and Seasons: Understanding the Elements of Classical Astronomy (Ryan)
Great Astronomers (Ball)
The Science Fair Project: A Step by Step Guide (Hudson) |
Science in the Atomic Age (Wiles) |
Discovering Design with Earth Science (Wile) |
Discovering Design with Biology (Wile) |
Discovering
Design with Chemistry (Wile) |
Exploring Creation with Physics (Wile) |
|
Latin/Logic/ Rhetoric |
Lingua Latina (Orberg)
Apology (Plato)
Meno (Plato)
The Fallacy Detective (Bluedorn) |
Lingua Latina (Orberg)
Traditional Logic 1 (Cothran) |
Lingua Latina (Orberg)
Traditional Logic 2 (Cothran) |
Lingua Latina (Orberg)
Fitting Words Classical Rhetoric (Roman Roads) |
Rhetoric (Aristotle)
Classical Rhetoric (Memoria Press) How to Read a Book (Adler) |
Rhetoric Alive! Senior Thesis (Barnes) |
|
Language Arts/ Literature |
The Chronicles of Narnia (Lewis)
Scriptorium Writing Level 4 (Lyda) |
Beowulf (Wilson)
The Hobbit (Tolkien)
King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table (Green)
The Pilgrim’s Progress (Bunyan)
Scriptorium Writing Level 5 |
Sonnets (Shakespeare)
Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare)
Henry V (Shakespeare)
The Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
A Christmas Carol (Dickens)
Lost Tools of Writing Volume 1 (Circe) |
The Iliad (Homer)
The Odyssey (Homer)
The Aeneid (Virgil)
Lost Tools of Writing Volume 2 (Circe) |
The Aeneid (Virgil)
The Divine Comedy (Dante)
Lost Tools of Writing Volume 3 (Circe) |
Paradise Lost (Milton)
Frankenstein (Shelley)
Beyond Good and Evil (Nietzsche)
Brave New World (Huxley) |
|
History/ Government |
The Old Testament
The Epic of Gilgamesh (Ferry)
The Codes of Hammurabi and Moses (Davies W. W.)
Life of Publicola (Plutarch)
The Bronze Bow (Speare) |
The Story of Christianity: Volume 1 (Gonzalez)
The Church History (Eusebius)
The History of the Kings of Britain (Geoffrey of Monmouth)
|
Land of Hope (McClay)
Of Plymouth Plantation (Bradford)
Second Treatise on Government (Locke)
Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (Brutus)
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass |
Republic (Plato)
Ethics (Aristotle)
Politics (Aristotle)
Lives (Plutarch)
The Everlasting Man (Chesterton) |
History of English-Speaking People (Churchill)
Early Christian Lives (White)
Ecclesiastical History of the English-Speaking People (Bede)
Chronicles (Froissart)
Two Lives of Charlemagne (Einhard) |
American History Volume 2 (Kidd)
Second Treatise on Government (Locke)
Vindiciae Contra Tyrannos (Brutus)
On the Social Contract (Rousseau)
The Federalist Papers
Communist Manifesto (Marx)
Basic Economics (Sowell) |
|
Christian Wisdom |
The London Baptist Confession
The Old Testament
Covenants Made Simple (Rhodes) |
The London Baptist Confession
The New Testament
Know the Creeds and Councils (Holcomb)
Superheroes Can’t Save You (Miles)
The Four (Leithart) |
The London Baptist Confession
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
Daily Doctrine (DeYoung)
Jesus the Great Philosopher (Penington)
Socrates’ Children Volume 3 (Kreeft) |
The London Baptist Confession
The Westminster Shorter Catechism
On the Incarntion (Athanasius)
How to Be Unlucky (Gibbs) Confessions (Augustine) |
The Thirty-Nine Articles
Church History in Plain Language (Shelley)
The Didache
Orthodoxy (Chesterton)
Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life (Inman) |
The Thirty-Nine Articles
Church History in Plain Language (Shelley)
The Didache
Orthodoxy (Chesterton)
Christian Philosophy as a Way of Life (Inman) |
ELECTIVE PROGRAMS:
K – 2nd Elective Enrichment Program
The Pietas Classical Christian (PCC) Elective Enrichment Program will be offered to eligible K-2 students who are enrolled at PCC in the morning K-2 educational program and offered at both campus locations.
- Time: 12:15 pm- 3:15 pm (Begins after K-2 program ends)
- Monday, Wednesday and Thursday
- Cost will be approximately $17 a child per day = $1,450/academic year
- Must enroll for entire academic year - (3 days a week for 30 weeks)
Students will participate in structured, fun, and educational activities including music, art, dance/movement/physical education, nature walks, story time, games, and free play.
Elective Choral Music Program
The Pietas Classical Christian (PCC) Choir Program is offered to students in grades 1st-12th who are currently enrolled at PCC. Ensembles rehearse Tuesdays on the weeks Pietas is in session and the student must enroll for the entire academic year. Choir is taught by Sandy Fyffe, her biography is listed below.
Program Descriptions:
- Lower School Ensemble (grades 1-6):
- Non-Auditioned, Tuition of $500/year (this includes all necessary music as well as concert attire)
- Rehearsals are held Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00am at the Central Campus
- Performance opportunities will include teaching a hymn in the morning chapel once per semester and one formal performance at the end of each semester.
- Upper School "Learn to Sing" Ensemble (grades 7-12):
- Non-Auditioned, Tuition of $350/year (this includes all necessary music)
- Rehearsals are held Tuesdays, 10:15-11:15am at the Central Campus
- No Performance requirement. The emphasis of this ensemble will be to develop proper vocal technique and have loads of fun singing together!
- Upper School Choir (grades 7-12):
- Auditioned- student must be able to match and maintain accurate pitch.
- Tuition of $650/year (this includes all necessary music as well as concert attire)
- Rehearsals are held Tuesdays, 11:30 am-1:00pm
- Performance opportunities will include teaching hymns in morning chapel and one formal performance at the end of each semester (There will be other opportunities to perform as well).
Biography:
Sandy Fyffe was awarded a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Taylor University in 2000. Following her graduation, she taught music for two years in the public schools of Grant County, Indiana. During that time, she also served as one of the directors of the Children’s Choir of Huntington County, an auditioned choral program for children and teens. For over 25 years, she has taught music in various settings, but most prominently as a private voice and piano teacher. Her students have participated in numerous festivals and competitions, some have gone on to study music in college, but all have grown in their knowledge and appreciation of music-making! Her deep desire is to help children learn to love and participate in beautiful music for the sake of their joy and God’s glory.
Elective Art Program
The Pietas Classical Christian (PCC) Art Program is offered to students in grades 3rd-12th who are currently enrolled at PCC. Classes meet Tuesdays on the weeks Pietas is in session and the student must enroll for the entire academic year. Art is taught by Aliya Crippen, her biography is listed below.
Program Descriptions:
- Lower School Art (grades 3-6):
- This elective course provides Pietas students with instruction in art technique and an outlet for the wonder they experience both in and out of the classroom. The scope of study encompasses the basics of drawing and design, exposure to various media and integration of art history.
- When: Tuesdays, 11:30am - 1:00pm
- Where: PCC Central campus (5995 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32940)
- Open to PCC students grades 3rd - 6th
- Tuition: $900/year or $450/semester (Paid in full by August 8th or made in two equal payments of $450 due on August 8th and November 8th.
- Supplies: $150 fee/year paid on or before August 8th.
- Upper School Art (grades 7-12):
- This elective course provides Pietas students with instruction in art technique and an outlet for the wonder they experience both in and out of the classroom. The scope of study encompasses the basics of drawing and design, exposure to various media and integration of art history.
- When: Tuesdays, 1:15pm - 2:45pm
- Where: PCC Central campus (5995 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32940)
- Open to PCC students grades 7th - 12th
- Tuition: $900/year or $450/semester (Paid in full by August 8th or made in two equal payments of $450 due on August 8th and November 8th.
- Supplies: $150 fee/year paid on or before August 8th.
- Atelier Art (grades 7-12, for advanced art students):
- This elective course provides Pietas students with instruction in art technique and an outlet for the wonder they experience both in and out of the classroom. The scope of study encompasses the basics of drawing and design, exposure to various media and integration of art history.
"Atelier" is a French word meaning "studio" and it refers to a particular classical approach to the study of art. Students in this section can expect a rigorous experience modeled after the Atelier tradition. - When: Tuesdays, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
- Where: PCC Central campus (5995 N. Wickham Road Melbourne, FL 32940)
- Open to PCC students grades 7th - 12th, previous students of Ms. Crippen (invitation only)
- Tuition: $900/year or $450/semester (Paid in full by August 8th or made in two equal payments of $450 due on August 8th and November 8th.
- Supplies: $150 fee/year paid on or before August 8th.
- This elective course provides Pietas students with instruction in art technique and an outlet for the wonder they experience both in and out of the classroom. The scope of study encompasses the basics of drawing and design, exposure to various media and integration of art history.
Biography:
Aliya Crippen has over 7 years of experience as an art teacher for students of a variety of ages and contexts. Her personal practice as a fine artist is a life-long passion and pursuit and her work has been featured in a variety of local shows and numerous privately commissioned pieces. Ms. Crippen had the privilege of studying art with a variety of mentors and in a classical studio environment at Hillsdale College where she earned her degree in 2022. Ms. Crippen labors under the conviction that art and story is of deep significance and that the delight of God-given creativity is an inalienable facet of humanity.
See her work at The Sage Brush or on instagram @the_sage_brush