Academics
The curriculum at FRCS recognizes the foundational value of the Judeo-Christian roots and Greco-Roman heritage of Western civilization and is based on an understanding of the three basic stages of learning: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric.
These three stages reflect the neurological development of students in a K-12 curriculum. In The Well-Trained Mind, Susan Wise Bauer explains:
“Classical education depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts, systematically laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. This classical pattern is called the trivium.”
The materials and methods used at each grade level are chosen with a view to meeting the specific needs of students at each stage.
As part of our institutional quality assurance, every year we give and review the results of the Standard Achievement Test and evaluate our curriculum using our own and independent (ACSI) guidelines to ensure that the academic needs of the students are met.
Curriculum and Activity Guide
We believe the Bible is the authoritative, inerrant, and sufficient Word of God, which answers man’s most complicated questions. It is woven throughout our academic teaching since all truth is seen ultimately as God’s truth. Front Royal Christian Schools utilize various curricula to meet the specific needs of our students.
Bible
The clear teaching of the Bible is the foundation for all other learning. Middle and High School students are immersed in the Omnibus curriculum which comprises Bible, History and Literature. Our 3rd through 5th grades use a variety of materials to study Biblical principles. We gather together for chapel weekly. Visiting speakers use object lessons to teach Biblical truths in a captivating way. We use a colorful flannel board in which to communicate God’s Word to the Preschool through 2nd grades.
English/Grammar
Because God has given us the great commission of communicating His truth to mankind, we must give our students the finest tools available to carry out this goal in a reasonable, well-articulated manner. Shurley English is used to teach students to learn the standards that we all should adhere to in order to be proficient in our own language. Shurley English uses music to teach the rules of grammar. It is an exciting, fun, and interactive way to learn English.
History
Using the curriculum by Susan Bauer, The Story of the World, the students learn through story-telling, art and even drama. This approach leads the students to a comprehensive level of learning, as opposed to memorizing names and dates, which rings them to a new discovery of our story of the world.
Science
Wonder is the wellspring of praise! Our Apologia science curriculum allows students to explore and discover through critical thinking and labs. Elementary students begin with Astronomy, Zoology and Botany, with the opportunity to advance to Human Anatomy and Physics during their latter High School years.
Mathematics
No subject matter better reflects the glory of God than mathematics, as it reveals God’s design for orderliness. We use A Beka for Preschool, and Saxon Math for students from K5 through 12th grades. “Saxon’s innovative, instructional approach breaks complex concepts into simpler increments, recognizing that smaller pieces of information are easier to teach and easier to learn. The instruction, practice, and assessment of those increments are systematically distributed across a grade level. The distributed approach ensures that students gain and retain critical thinking concepts and use them in real-world situations.”(Saxon’s Publishers)
Literature-Classical
We introduce our students to classic works of literature: novels, short stories, plays, and poetry. Literature is a varied and exciting field of study. Each century brings changes to society, culture, politics, and the economy that have significant influences in what authors write about and how they write. Discussion questions are used to ensure an understanding of the basic plot, characters, setting, and message of the story or article. Students are encouraged to participate in these discussions in order to teach them to think and reason as they learn to form and strengthen their own beliefs.
Foreign Language
Our society has become very global, making learning a second language not only very beneficial but advisable. Spanish and Latin are offered as non-graded, introductory classes to students in 2nd -5th grades. The older students begin with Spanish I and advance through Spanish III. Latin I, II & III, though primarily an unspoken language, supports our classical approach and aids in the learning of many languages as it is the root of many languages.
Physical Education/Sports
Because sports elicit a different kind of discipline and learning experience we feel that Physical Education classes and our Sports Activities have been a dynamic addition to our program. All students participate and enjoy Physical Education up to five times per week. Each year the students are encouraged to participate in the President’s Physical Fitness Challenge. As a member of the Valley Middle School Sports League, our students are able to participate and compete with other local area schools in Basketball, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross-Country, Tennis, and in league tournaments.
Art/Drama/Music
Art is offered each week to students, K5 through 12th grades, in an environment where students can explore and nurture their God-given talents. Our goal is not just to expose students to all forms of art, but to cultivate a lifetime appreciation for the arts. Our visual arts program allows students to explore a wide variety of media. Visual Arts, Theatre Arts and Worship Arts programs encourage creative thinking, self-expression, originality and problem solving. Preschool through 5th grade students perform a musical drama each Christmas.
Community and Career Class
This is a High School course, in which the objective is to support our Vision and Mission Statement, “making a positive contribution to society” by engaging students in community service. We use this hands-on approach in order for students to develop various abilities and organizational skills that are used for Public Speaking, Shop and Home Economics. Some of the activities that are incorporated into this class include such things as planning and coordinating luncheons for local community organizations, including police, firemen, veterans, and nursing home employees. The students participate in an evangelism course to learn to share the Gospel with others, as well as attend short-term mission trips.
Special Children/Special Education
We believe that each and every child deserves a quality education. Children that have greater learning challenges should not to be denied a Christian education. Our school is able to adapt the curriculum and work one-on-one with children that have learning challenges to help insure they succeed in life. We offer help to struggling students using the Barton Spelling and Reading System. The Search and Teach program, for 5 and 6 year old children, is our early intervention method that helps the students to build the skills needed for reading. These programs are also offered to the public. Level II NILD (National Institute for Learning Development) is available for students with different learning challenges. These programs are offered at an additional cost.
Drama Club
This club was started for those students who have a strong desire to perform. It is open to students from 5th grade through high school. The purpose of our drama club is to engage in meaningful theatrical activities. It is our desire to cultivate a love for theater in the hearts of students that endears them to a pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty as reflected in the perfect character of God.
Titus 2 Girls Club
The goal of the Titus 2 Girls Club is to teach young girls things that are fitting and becoming of young Christian ladies. Our goal comes from the scripture found in Titus 2:3-7. We want to teach the girls to be self-controlled, sound in faith, how to dress modestly, how to be good homemakers, and above all, to know, serve, and love the Lord.
Yearbook/Photography Club
The yearbook club brings the design and development of the school yearbook in-house. The objective of the Yearbook Committee is to produce a memorable yearbook for students, by students. Each student on the yearbook staff will practice public relations as they sell ads for the yearbook. They will gain a working knowledge of photography, graphic arts design and utilize critical thinking skills as they work to resolve production issues.
Student Government Association
The Student Government Association’s mission is to represent the entire student body to the administration. As the voice of the student population, the elected officials are challenged to be examples of responsibility (Prov. 24:12), accountability (Deut. 6:6), integrity (Luke 16:10), and self-control (Ps. 119:133). The elected members learn to utilize their public relation abilities which include compromise, courage, honesty, respect, and work.
Community Service/Interact Club
We feel that it is important to introduce all of our students to areas of service that teach them the character qualities of selflessness, love, generosity, caring, sharing, and to learn how to find joy in serving others. In coordination with the activities of our High School Community and Career Class, all FRCS students participate in some of the following activities: provide supplies for people in need, make gifts and visit with nursing home residents, serve a luncheon of gratitude to various community service organizations such as the police, firemen, veterans, and local nursing home employees. They have raked leaves for the elderly and raised funds for the American Heart Association through the Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart program, as well as serving various other class functions.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The vision of FCA is to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and coaches. It is our desire to train our athletes to develop relationships that demonstrate a steadfast commitment to Jesus Christ and His Word through Integrity, Serving, Teamwork and Excellence and to honor and glorify God in all we do.
Band
Student musicians from the FRCS community prepare for and participate in the Praise and Worship segment of each week’s Chapel service. They also represent FRCS to the local community by participating in parades and fundraisers.
Options Program
“If the disadvantaged child lives in a welcoming and open environment, he does not feel alone but in the heart of the community, and can thus learn that life is always worth living.”
- Address to the Congress on Family and the Integration of Disabled Children, Pope John Paul II
Visual Arts Program
As part of our curriculum, our Visual Arts Program allows students to explore a wide variety of media, providing them with opportunities for creative thinking, self-expression, originality, and problem solving.
Summer Programs
Pre K-12 summer courses are determined based on the results of annual surveys submitted by parents. Previous years’ programs have included Math, English, Science and SAT prep classes. Classes typically run from June through July.
Students attending Front Royal Christian Schools may elect to take a general course of studies or an advanced course of studies. The requirements for each diploma are as follows:
| GENERAL DIPLOMA | |
| Subject | Units of Credit |
| Bible |
4 |
| English |
4 |
| Social Studies |
4 |
| Math |
3 |
| Laboratory Science |
3 |
| Physical Education / Health |
2 |
| Computer (MS Office) |
1 |
| Electives (*1 Fine/Practical Arts elective is recommended) |
5 |
|
Total Units |
26 |
| ADVANCED DIPLOMA | |
| Subject | Units of Credit |
| Bible |
4 |
| English |
4 |
| Social Studies |
4 |
| Math |
4 |
| Laboratory Science |
4 |
| Physical Education / Health |
2 |
| Computer (MS Office) |
1 |
| Electives (*1 Fine/Practical Arts elective is recommended) |
2 |
| Foreign Language
3 years of 1 language or 2 years of 2 languages |
3 |
|
Total Units |
28 |