Our humanities curriculum leans heavily on the principles of classical education, with a Charlotte Mason influence in the younger grades. Our lower school class sizes average 10-14, depending on the grade level. Our upper school class sizes average 12-16, depending on the subject and grade level.
Click below for more details about each grade level!
Kindergarten
Kindergartners begin their educational journey at Veritas with a gentle introduction to reading and writing using Sonlight Phonics. They learn letter sounds and begin blending simple words. Along with early literacy skills, kindergartners engage in literature read alouds and related activities, science explorations, artist studies and book-based art projects. Kindergarten at Veritas is very hands-on and interactive!
First grade is the "official" beginning of classical education at Veritas. Students continue learning phonics with Sonlight and begin reading more independently. Ancient history is introduced and the humanities day incorporates hands-on activities related to both history and fine arts. On Tuesdays, students work on art projects related to ancient history, and learn about astronomy with Apologia Science.
Second graders dive into the world of medieval times in both history and literature. Hands-on projects include creating a family crest/shield for the class knighting ceremony, and building a model of Christopher Columbus's ship! Sonlight is used to teach phonics and literacy skills, and students work to become more fluent writers with both creative writing and history journals. Tuesdays are spent learning all about botany and art of the Middle Ages!
In third grade, students shift their focus from "learning to read" to "reading to learn." Reading and writing skills are applied through a formal composition program (IEW) and grammar skills are learned using Shurley Grammar. Students focus on early American history with both Story of the World and literature books. Journals are utilized to record narrations and answers to Socratic questions, and are often shared in class. Science students learn about land animals, and art focuses on the Renaissance period.
Fourth graders wrap up their lower school experience by continuing with IEW and Shurley Grammar, and studying American history from the Civil War to modern day. Literature books range from Abraham Lincoln to Neil Armstrong, and students engage in more abstract thinking through both history and literature discussion questions. Tuesdays are spent learning about ocean creatures in science, and modern artists - from Van Gogh to Rockwell - in art.
Fifth grade begins the upper school experience at Veritas. Students begin their second history cycle, going back to ancient times. They read literature books related to the time period, and keep a journal to record answers to subject-themed Socratic questions each week. Fifth graders continue with both IEW and Shurley Grammar, and science students cycle between chemistry/physics and flying creatures. (2025-26 classes will study chemistry/physics).
Sixth graders build upon the skills learned in fifth grade, advancing their writing skills with IEW and Shurley Grammar. They learn American history and read books related to the time period. Timelines are kept to make sense of the various events discussed. Science students will study chemistry/physics for the 2025-26 school year.
Seventh and eighth graders apply what they have learned from IEW to their own essays related to various topics, including their study of history (medieval times) and literature. Mapwork and timelines are a part of making sense of the Reformation and Renaissance eras. Students begin a more formal study of the Bible using inductive Bible study techniques. Life science is taught on Tuesdays.
Our high schoolers rotate through a four year humanities cycle. These cycles can be completed in any order. They include Western Civilization 1 & 2 with corresponding literature, American History with American Literature, & Government/Economics and Modern Literature. Students also study Bible or Biblical Worldview. Science and math classes are offered on Tuesdays and include algebra, geometry, biology, and chemistry. More science and math classes will be added each year based on student needs.