As parents, one of the most significant decisions you will make is determining where your child will spend their formative years. Remarkably, children spend over 1,000 hours a year in the classroom—equivalent to more than 25 full work weeks! These hours are not just about academic instruction; they are integral to shaping a child’s intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development. Author, philosopher, and Christian apologist G.K. Chesterton aptly noted, “Education is not a subject, and it does not deal in subjects. It is instead the transfer of a way of life.” Recognizing the profound impact of this time can help you make more informed and thoughtful decisions about your child’s education.
Why 1,000 Hours Matters
C.S. Lewis, one of the foremost intellectuals of the twentieth century, wisely observed that “the task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.” Given the significant amount of time your children spend at school, and the fact that each teacher brings their own worldview into the classroom, it’s vital to consider how a teacher’s values align with your family and how they might influence your child’s development. When selecting the right educational environment, choose a school that aligns with your values and fosters your child’s growth in a manner consistent with your beliefs:
- Seek a Biblically Grounded Framework: Find a school that integrates a scholarly, biblically grounded perspective, laying a strong foundation for thoughtful decision-making and a love for the Lord and His ways.
- Encourage Critical Thinking: Look for an institution that emphasizes teaching students how to think critically, using time-tested methods, rather than just what to think.
- Focus on Character Formation: Select a school that prioritizes who your child will become, not just what they will accomplish or achieve.
- Celebrate Learning: Look for a school that instills a joy of learning and celebrates the rich heritage, literature, and contributions of all people.
- Foster Excellence and Integrity: Opt for an environment that promotes thinking with excellence, believing with confidence, and living with character.
Welcome to Heritage—a place where these values are central to our approach to education.
1,000 Hours at Heritage
At Heritage, education goes beyond the mere transfer of knowledge; we are dedicated to equipping students to lead purposeful and principled lives. Here’s how we accomplish this:
1. Christ-Centered Learning
We are committed to integrating faith and learning, guiding students to develop a Gospel-centered worldview. Charlotte Mason, a British educator renowned for advocating a classical education accessible to all, stated: ”We allow no separation to grow up between the intellectual and ‘spiritual’ life of children, but teach them that the Divine Spirit has constant access to their spirits, and is their continual Helper in all the interests, duties and joys of life.” Our curriculum is designed to nurture a love for the Lord, a passion for serving His kingdom, and a commitment to engaging with the world in a way that reflects their faith. We also emphasize the importance of a strong home-school partnership, encouraging family devotions and discussions that deepen faith and understanding.
2. Classical Education: Timeless & Virtuous
Our approach is rooted in classical Christian education, which follows the Trivium—a method that reflects the three stages of learning:
- Grammar Stage: This foundational period focuses on absorbing core knowledge and building a strong base.
- Logic Stage: Students begin to analyze and understand the relationships between concepts.
- Rhetoric Stage: The emphasis shifts to expressing thoughts persuasively and articulately.
By immersing students in great literature, art, and music, we cultivate their affection for the true, good, and beautiful. This method not only equips them academically but also prepares them for lifelong learning and critical thinking.
3. Covenantal Community
United under the banner of Jesus, we foster intentional, gospel-centered relationships where families are known, loved, understood, and supported. At Heritage, we cultivate a strong sense of community by requiring both parents to sign our statement of faith. This shared commitment to a set of core beliefs strengthens the bonds between families, faculty, and staff, ensuring that everyone is rowing together in the same direction.
Dive Deeper Into The Heritage Experience
Your child will spend over a thousand hours of this next year inside a classroom. It is imperative for you to understand where they will be taken during that time. For the past 25 years, Heritage has partnered with Christian parents to faithfully prepare our students through a Christ-centered classical education to live with purpose and impact.
To learn more about our unique approach to education and the vision behind those 1,000 classroom hours, we invite you to explore our mission and values further. Click here: Explore Our Mission & Values.
Together, let’s make every one of those 1,000 hours count.
