"I’m not where I want to be. But I’m not where I used to be. And I trust God to take me to where I’m meant to be." These wise words were echoed by the guest pastor featured at CC+ Preview Day. As he discussed the scriptural account of David fighting Goliath, he reminded the prospective students how everyone each has their own giants to face, but that we have a God to help us face them. Also, the pastor instilled in them a call for dedication as they finish their high school years.
The eager buzz filled the campus as parents and students alike wandered SEU’s beautiful grounds to discover if SEU would be their new home away from home. A common theme threaded throughout the day was the integration of truth, goodness, and beauty, and how this is incorporated following both Classical Conversations model, as well as the School of Honors.
During the panel, the CC+ families were enlightened by a broad range of SEU faculty including FYE, School of Honors, security, and former CC+ students who were able to share first-hand experience of their transition from CC to SEU. As many CC+ families probably already know, the benefits of classical education abound. Students are trained through a time-tested method, studying topics ranging from Latin, debate, rhetoric. They learn how to diagram grammatical sentences with Latin, argue effectively through Team Policy Debate, and read classic works of literature!
With classical education, there is an emphasis on true intaking of lessons, rather than ‘teaching to the test.’ Subjects are not treated as individual entities, but integrated to show God’s design in creation, including history, philosophy, literature, and more. Furthermore, students are introduced to the classical core values of truth, goodness, and beauty. This is a foundation that is ingrained into one’s early learning stages. In the higher levels of education, these can be debated and discussed amongst their peers. One can discover how these values overlap and argue whether they are dependent on one another, asking if goodness can be attained without truth or beauty, or beauty without truth.
The School of Honors and Steelman Library have done a fantastic job of incorporating the CC+ students. Their team effort allows for families to feel welcome as they share the multiple benefits that SEU has to offer as regards to CC+ integration. It’s a wonderful opportunity for CC students to take advantage of dual enrollment options. It allows for an especially smooth transition from highschool to college as students gain an advantage of learning to receive feedback from college-level professors. If students are interested in SEU as their future college, they have already been acquainted with SEU professors and the online platform of MyFire.
Overall, the lessons and experiences that one gains through classical education is an experience that can carry on into college life as students go on to discover their divine design!
- Grace Randall, student