How the Tutorials are Conducted:

Schola's online tutorials are live audio and chat sessions that meet for almost two hours once a week, running from late August through early May (see Schola's calendar), in which the students and tutor discuss the material being studied, go over the students' work, and preview the work for the next week. Using web conferencing, the students and tutor log in to a virtual classroom at the stated time for the tutorial and then are able to communicate by talking, typing, and collaborative web browsing to syllabus pages, map sites, image collections, online museums, etc. Both PC and Mac users are able to participate in these courses, but a highspeed connection is strongly recommended (DSL, cable, wireless, satellite, etc.).

The tutorials are supported by web pages for each class which contain all information necessary for that class. These class pages list the course outline, reading and writing assignments and other work, announcements relevant to that class, and additional resources for the students to pursue; the student has access at all times to the class page. Many of the classes also each have a special forum on which they post work. Necessary information and announcements are also sent out by email.

Evaluation policy

No grades are assigned for either the papers or for the tutorial as a whole. For those parents who desire it, assistance will be provided in determining a grade for the student's semester work. Evaluations will be provided upon request at any point.

Cindy Marsch, of Writing Assessment Services, offers a special evaluation package for Schola Great Books students. I highly recommend this as a complement to the Great Books tutorials.

A Recommended High School Level Curriculum
 

Many parents have asked for a recommendation on how to use Schola's classes to create or supplement a high school level classical liberal arts curriculum. Of course, you can pick and choose among Schola's offerings as you see fit, but using all of Schola's courses you can provide a complete liberal arts ("classical") education if you also take care to supplement it (at home, with local tutors, or with other online tutorials services) with mathematics up through at least geometry, and the basic sciences (biology, chemistry, and physics). 

Below is the sequence of Schola courses I strongly recommend to give your student a solid grounding in those things that are important in a classical Christian education: classical languages, history, and theology ("the queen of the sciences"). It is assumed that the student has had no languages before (although that would certainly be helpful), and that mathematics and science are being provided. Logic, Introduction to Great Books, and Latin courses are available from Artesian Wells Classical Tutorials (Aaron and Emily Wells) and are highly recommended.

The fundamental prerequisites for this sequence are good reading habits and some familiarity with the outlines of basic ancient, medieval, and early modern history. It will also be good, though not necessary, for your student to have studied logic and music, and it will be very helpful to supplement the Rhetoric course with a local speech or debate organization. Click the links for a course description and explanation of each course's place in classical education.

Pre-Schola: Introduction to Great Books, Logic, Introduction to Latin (these, and all Latin, from Artesian Wells)
Year 1:Great Books 1, Latin 1
Year 2: Great Books 2, Latin 2, Greek 1
Year 3: Great Books 3, Latin 3, Greek 2, Roman Empire (or Church History; see note 2), Bible History and Astronomy (see note 1)
Year 4: Great Books 4, Greek 3, Rhetoric, Church History (or Roman Empire; see note 2), Christian Doctrine and Apologetics 
   

Note 1: Bible History, Astronomy, Basic Christian Doctrine, and Apologetics are all 1-semester courses and should be taken in either the 3rd or 4th year. Lighter reading load than Great Books, Church History, or Roman Empire; these should not add substantially to a student's work.

Note 2: Roman Empire and Church History are year-long courses taught in alternate years (Church History begins in even-numbered falls and Roman Empire in odd), and so may be taken in the 3rd and 4th years; it doesn't matter which course is taken which year. Heavy reading load.

Subjects Offered for 2008-2009: Course Descriptions, Times, Dates

 
Please click on the following subject titles for detailed course, textbook, and registration information.
Contact Schola if you are interested in a course to verify space availability.
All courses taught by Wesley Callihan unless otherwise indicated.

 
Summer Events 2008 (including Latin-In-A-Week and the Schola Italy Tour)

GREAT BOOKS (1, 2, 3, 4) -- see weekly schedule below for days and times

Great Books 1 covers ancient Greek literature and history. 14 and up. 

Great Books 2 covers ancient Roman literature and history. Prerequisite: Great Books 1 (or by special arrangement).

Great Books 3 covers Medieval and Renaissance literature and history. Prerequisite: Great Books 2 (or by special arrangement).

Great Books 4 covers Modern literature and history. Prerequisite: Great Books 3 (or by special arrangement)
 

LATIN (Intro, I, II, III, Vulgate) -- Latin I, II, III are taught by Artesian Wells Classical Tutorials (Emily Wells, instructor). For more information contact Artesian Wells. Latin IV: Vulgate is taught by Schola.
 

GREEK (Homeric Greek 1 and 2) -- see weekly schedule below for days and times
 
Greek I covers about half of Homeric Greek grammar and the first portion of the Iliad, Book 1, with the goal of beginning reading ability in Homer and other original texts. In the process there will be discussions about Homer the Iliad, ancient Greek culture, and Homer's influence on the early Christian world. Prerequisite: 15 years old and up. It is strongly recommended that the student have taken at least one year of high school level Latin grammar first. Please check with instructor about language background.

Greek II covers the rest of Homeric grammar and most of the rest of the Iliad, Book 1. Prerequisite: Schola Greek I


CLASSICAL RHETORIC -- see weekly schedule below for days and times

 
A study of the capstone art of the trivium -- the art of organizing and integrating knowledge into a systematic, coherent whole, for the purpose of communicating it effectively, both in writing and speaking.  Prerequisite: Great Books 1-3; ages 16 and up or by special arrangement with the tutor.



THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH -- see weekly schedule below for days and times
 
A one-year study covering all of the history of the Christian church from the Jewish and Greco-Roman background of Christianity through the early, medieval, and Reformation eras. 16 years old and up.  Prerequisite: at least Great Books 1-2; it is recommended that the student be at least 16 and a strong reader.



ESSENTIAL CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE (one semester) -- see weekly schedule below for days and times
 

A one-semester course covering the necessity of doctrine, then studying the Nicene Creed as containing the beliefs considered to be essential by all Christians (Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox).  Prerequisite: none, but students who have taken at least Great Books 1-2 will benefit most. This course should be followed by Apologetics (below).
 

BASIC APOLOGETICS (one semester) -- see weekly schedule below for days and times
 
This one-semester course aims to help students understand and put into practice a faithful biblical approach to defending their faith, both to strengthen their own faith and to be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks a reason for it.  Prerequisite: Basic Christian Doctrine (or by permission of the instructor).
 

Schola 2008-2009 Calendar

August 1:  All tuition balances due.
August 27:  Test sessions for software, 9:00-10:00 a.m. Optional, but students new to Schola are encouraged to attend.
September 1-5:  First week of  classes (Classes will meet on Labor Day)
October 13-17 -- Autumn Break -- NO CLASSES
November 24-28:  Thanksgiving Week -- NO CLASSES
December 1:  Tuition fees for 2nd semester courses (Astronomy and Apologetics) due
Dec. 22-January 9:  Christmas Break -- NO CLASSES
January 12:  Classes begin
January 15: Registration open to current families
February 15: Registration open to all
February 23-27: Late Winter Break -- NO CLASSES
April 6-10: Easter Week -- NO CLASSES
May 11-15: Last week of classes

Online Tutorials Weekly Schedule for 2008-2009 (all times listed are Pacific Time) 

Please contact Schola if you are interested in a course to verify space availability.

Great Books sections A and B are identical; they simply meet at different times.

An asterisk before a class in the schedule below indicates that the class is full. However, you are welcome to contact us anyway if you are interested as we can put your name on our waiting list (in case a space opens or we open another section), offer suggestions for other online tutors, and answer questions.

Fees -- Please read all of the following carefully. If you have any questions, please contact Schola.

 

Total cost per course is $550, which includes the following:

1. Registration fee: $50 per student per course; due at time of registration to secure placement. Non-refundable (unless course is cancelled).

2. Tuition fee:  $500 per student per course ($250 for 1-semester courses); due by August 1st (except Astronomy and Apologetics, which are due December 1). Tuition payments are non-refundable (unless course is cancelled). Books are not included in tuition.

3. Additional people:

 
a) Anyone may listen in at the computer of a fee-paying student, but those doing so with the intention of participating and posting assignments as students must also register by sending in a separate registration form (and the $50 registration fee). They will not be charged tuition and they will be listed on class rosters as students.

b) A student in the same family sitting at a separate computer for the same class will be charged only half the regular tuition fee. In other words, the first computer connection is charged full tuition, family members at different computers are charged half. 

4. Late Fee

 There will be a $25 late fee for payments postmarked more than 10 days after their due date and for late registrations.

 

All payments (registration fee and tuition) are non-refundable (unless the course is cancelled).

---

Registration

The families of currently registered students may begin registering January 15 and have registration priority through March 1 at which time registration is open to all. However, please contact Schola at any time during the year to let us know of your interest as we keep a running waiting list.

Please contact Schola first by email to verify space availability. After availability has been confirmed, go to the registration page to make payments. Do NOT send payment before confirming with Schola.

REGISTRATION PAGE

---

Other Necessary Information
 

Schola will contact all registered students with any other necessary details about subscribing to the required email announcement list for students and parents, how to log in to the sessions, familiarization sessions before classes start, preparation for classes, etc. 

 

Look through the FAQ page for answers to questions you may have. If your questions are still not answered after reading the News and the FAQ, please contact Schola.