Riverbend Classical Academy (RBCA) began in 2008 as a one-course homeschool program taught by Mrs. Sally Hall. Since then, RBCA has expanded to include 1st through 12th grade students. RBCA is a college preparatory tutorial program utilizing the classical approach to education. The foundation of all instruction is built upon a definition of truth and incorporates a Socratic style of understanding
wisdom. Our core courses incorporate the UC approved (a-g) textbooks and instruction. Riverbend Administrators, Sally Hall and Karen Petersen, are veteran homeschool educators with over 11 years of homeschooling experience. Sally Hall is a credentialed teacher and administrator with dual Masters in Curriculum Development and Administration. Sally has written and edited national and state approved curriculum; taught at the college level; has lead WASC accreditation teams and holds a certification with National Institute of Learning Disabilities, NILD. Karen Petersen is a mother of three graduates, two of which are Eagle Scouts. Karen has administrated a homeschool coop of K-12th grade students for the last 6 years and taught classes at all levels majoring in the sciences. What is Classical Christian Education? A return to classical education began when Dorothy Sayers delivered an essay entitled "The Lost Tools of Learning" in which she compared the quality of education in the 1500's, and earlier, to the education offered today. Since then, classical Christian education continues to make a resurgence in our nation. The model most Christian Classicist use is based on the Trivium, which includes three Biblical categories. Knowledge
Also known as the Grammar stage, knowledge is the foundation that all higher learning is built upon. It involves learning the basics such as phonics, dates, times, places, and math facts. Understanding
Also known as the Dialectic/Logic Stage, understanding is where the focus is building upon prior knowledge by organizing the formation learned into logical order. The child begins to search out the reasons behind facts previously learned
Wisdom
In this third stage, also known as the Rhetoric stage, all education received thus far is available for the student to be utilized in expressing oneself in practical ways such as in essay writing, speech, and debate. "Through wisdom a house is built: and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge the rooms are filled..." Proverbs 24:3-4
