History serves as the cornerstone of Catholic Classical Education, enabling students to go beyond memorizing facts and delve into primary sources to deepen their understanding. At St. Ann Classical Academy, history is more than a subject—it is a vital foundation that integrates with other disciplines, fostering critical thinking and inspiring students to explore humanity’s continuous quest for God.
History is the study of the past to better inform the future. At St. Ann Classical Academy, students engage in learning about key historical periods that have shaped our modern world:
Ancient History (Mesopotamia to Rome): Explore the rise and fall of ancient civilizations, culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ.
Medieval History (Christendom): Understand the flourishing of Christendom during Europe’s Middle Ages.
Modern History (Renaissance to Modern Age): Analyze the transformative events from the Renaissance to today’s modern age.
American History (Discovery to Digital Age): Study the evolution of the Americas, from the voyages of early explorers to the civil rights movement and beyond.
In the Classical model, history is recursive—students build foundational knowledge in the grammar stage (K-5) and engage in deeper analysis and critical discussions during the logic stage (6-8). This approach encourages students to grasp the cause-and-effect relationships, timelines, and the broader significance of historical events.
Understanding history also involves a strong foundation in geography. Students not only learn where events happened but also how these locations relate to one another and to their current lives. This context empowers students to understand their own place in the world, enabling them to become virtuous, engaged citizens.
While history often seems like a straightforward subject of recorded facts, in Classical Education, it becomes a transformative journey. It teaches students to critically engage with sources, read between the lines, and seek the truth. Key aspects include:
Engaging with Primary Sources: Students analyze texts by thinkers like Plato and Polybius, asking critical questions and exploring deeper connections.
College-Level Historical Skills: By interpreting primary sources, students develop analytical skills akin to those of professional historians.
Critical Thinking: Students assess the validity of sources, asking, “Is this true? Is this good? Is this beautiful? Does this uphold dignity and virtue?”
Through this method, students cultivate essential skills, such as evaluating evidence, synthesizing information, and making informed arguments—abilities they carry into their daily lives and future careers.
At its core, Catholic Classical Education seeks to immerse students in the wisdom of 2,000 years of Catholic thought, history, culture, and art. History becomes a lens through which students can observe humanity’s triumphs and failures in following God’s plan.
Key themes include:
The Role of Christ and the Saints: Students analyze how Christ’s teachings and the actions of Saints throughout history shaped societies and brought light to dark times.
Understanding Human Progress: From ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia to modern issues, students trace humanity’s journey and reflect on its implications for their lives today.
Timelines and Key Figures: Students construct vivid timelines that connect the birth of Jesus to the spread of Christianity, the rise of civilizations, and the fight for freedom and dignity in modern history.
This approach enables students to identify the beauty of God’s creation in historical events, even amidst humanity’s fallen nature.
History in Catholic Classical Education tells a compelling story of human perseverance, intellectual growth, and spiritual discovery. From explorers and intellectuals to Saints and sinners, students engage with the narratives of those who came before them to uncover truth, beauty, and goodness.
By interpreting history through the lens of those who lived it, students:
Discover the good within seemingly dark times.
Appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and humanity’s use of it.
Uncover the unchanging truth embedded within historical events, free from the distortions of modern ideology.
The study of history in Catholic Classical Education equips students to see the world through a lens of faith, virtue, and critical inquiry. By engaging with the past, they develop a deeper understanding of their place in the world, preparing them to be virtuous citizens and faithful stewards of God’s creation.