Jason Barney is a scholar of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English Literature. On any given day, his students can be found reciting and analyzing the poetry of William Wordsworth or Alexander Pope; reading Shakespeare and discussing good literature; engaging in timed debates sparked by their history text; dissecting different types of arguments through the study of logic; or translating the Biblical book of I John from the Latin Vulgate. Though these elements of education might seem geared more to a college classroom, Barney’s students are in sixth and seventh grade at Clapham School in Wheaton.

Housed in the College Church in Wheaton, Clapham is a Classical Christian School where students are not so much taught “information,” but rather how to engage with and apply knowledge to their lives, so they can develop higher-level thinking and communication skills, according to Barney, a Wheaton College graduate.

“The earlier we present the idea-rich literary artistry of languages, and provide direct language translation opportunities, the more fully our students will be able to comprehend, retain and use the material,” said Barney.

With the 2010-2011 school year, Barney will add another group of students to his daily schedule as Clapham School expands to include 8th grade.

Are all of Clapham’s faculty members so scholarly and enthusiastic? In a word, yes, according to Susan Carrion, Director of Instruction.

“Our teachers have a level of mastery, but they never believe they ‘have it down,’ ” said Carrion. “They each possess a sense that they desire to grow and learn everyday; they actually teach each other about their respective disciplines and subject matter. Our faculty members are passionate about their subject matter and hungry to further refine their skills,” she said.

Founded in 2006, Clapham School began with 23 students, and in four years, has almost quadrupled enrollment, according to Doug Reynolds, Head of School. “Our plans are to continue to add classes through 12th grade,” he said.

Distinctly Christian, and academically rich, the school’s curriculum focuses on the study of Western Civilization and on the great works of literature, art and music, according to Julie Reynolds, Director of Curriculum. Students also begin the distinctively classical study of Latin in 3rd grade and will later take Logic and Rhetoric.

Additionally, the pedagogy follows a model established by Charlotte Mason in the late 1800’s in England. Charlotte Mason espoused the philosophy that children should be guided to joyfully discover knowledge in nature, literature, art, music, mathematics, history and science so as to love to learn. Her philosophy brings an unhurried pace to what could be perceived as simply academically rigorous. In reality, Mason’s ideas about “living books,” and her confidence that children have a God-given capacity to engage with the ideas in these texts brings a joyful discovery to the learning process. Clapham does this by engaging deeply on various levels, such as studying two artists and composers a year and taking time for nature observation and sketching.

“Clapham students should see ideas as ‘living things,’ providing material for reflection and thought, not so much to be mastered as to be ignited,” said Reynolds. “Education becomes not only discovery and understanding, but, also a humbling experience as we test our finite ideas against God’s infinite truth,” she said. “In our classrooms we want students not only to encounter truth, goodness and beauty, but to see these as reflections of God himself, and we allow time for these discussions.”

“In this kind of atmosphere, we provide the opportunity for students to experience the joy and wonder inherent to the subject itself and the discovery that comes not by simply being fed the answers and connections, but that which comes of a student wrestling through on his/her own accord, digesting the liberal feast of learning presented,” said Reynolds.

The addition of 8th grade to Clapham completes the school’s unique middle school model. The development of this middle school curriculum has been quite deliberate not only in its subject matter, but also accounting for the social, physical, spiritual and emotional change, which challenge middle school students and bring up many questions.

“This time of questioning and formation, or the logic stage, is taken seriously at Clapham,” said Reynolds. “We want to provide an atmosphere in which questions are welcome and in which teachers can work with students to guide them. It’s as important to learn how to ask the right questions as it is to get the right answers.”

Science study in the middle school grades includes astronomy, botany, electricity and energy, entomology, geology and the examination of the human body. Saxon mathematics study continues in 6th grade and moves to pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Algebra in 8th grade. Clapham School students are ahead in mathematics and other subjects when compared with most public and other Christian schools, according to Reynolds.

Clapham School has drawn students from numerous towns in the western suburbs of Chicago.

“During a time when schools are cutting staff and academic standards are declining, we are blessed to be able to add grade levels at Clapham,” said Doug Reynolds, “and faculty members to our staff who provide an educational environment in which our students can thrive and grow.”

For further information on Clapham School, please visit www.claphamschool.com or contact Doug Reynolds, Head of School – (630) 547-5125 or Carolyn Litfin, Director of Admission – (630) 547-5125.

Submitted by Charla Russell of the Clarendon Hills-based public relations firm, PRsource.