Academics

The basic components of the Grammar School curriculum are described below. The academic material presented is appropriate for each grade level.

Saxon Phonics (K-2)

Saxon offers an advanced, intensive phonics program which not only teaches the child to read, but also includes spelling, introduction to grammar, handwriting and introduction to writing.

Saxon Math (K-6)

Saxon presents a unique incremental approach to math which is highly regarded and extremely well-suited to the grammar stage of learning.

History (K-6)

The Grammar School’s history program provides students with an overview of history from creation to modern times. Second through 5th graders use The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer to learn history chronologically by studying a major event, era, or people group each week. Sixth graders focus on American history from the time of the early explorers. Sixth graders also study Texas history and travel across the great state of Texas visiting important historical sites.

Latin (3-6)

Studies have shown that students who study Latin not only have a larger English vocabulary, but that they also have higher math problem solving skills, higher reading achievement, SAT scores, and even college GPAs. The specific goals of MCA’s Latin program are to help students acquire a Latin vocabulary of approximately 400 words, to help students acquire a similar increase in English vocabulary, and to increase the students’ understanding of both Latin and English grammar.

English Grammar (3-6)

MCA uses the Easy Grammar curriculum as well as songs and chants to help students understand grammar, a critical tool for speaking and writing properly.

Spelling (3-6)

Beginning in third grade, MCA uses The Grammar of Spelling to improved students’ spelling skills. This program builds on the phonics that students have already learned and teaches students the spelling rules that apply to the most common words in the English language. This program also teaches prefixes, suffixes, and root words as a tool for decoding and spelling.

Vocabulary (3-6)

Vocabulary words are chosen from the literature books and are learned by using contextual methods, i.e. students study the words in context and practice using them in context. The goal of the vocabulary program is to build the students’ understanding and use of the English language.

Institute for Excellence in Writing (3-6)

The curriculum emphasizes modeling as a method for learning to write. Children begin by making outlines of previously written paragraphs and then rewriting them from these outlines. Various techniques for improving writing are required as the child gains skill. These techniques include the use of stronger verbs, adjectives, the addition of adverbs and clauses, and the variation of sentence structure, just to name a few. The program expands to paragraph structure, creative writing, and research papers.

Literature (2-6)

Literature is integrated with history as students are asked to read quality historical fiction from the time period being studied in history.  In addition, students select and read at least one book each month from MCA’s suggested list of great children’s literature.

Art (K-2)

Exploring and Experimenting with the Elements of Art.

Art (3-6)

Techniques and Experience with the Elements of Art that are tied to the history time period that students are studying in a particular year.

Science (K-6)

Interactively Exploring God’s Creation.

Music (K-2)

The music classes at MCA introduce students to musical instruments, various composers, musical time periods, and basic music notation by listening, singing, seeing, writing, and playing various instruments.

Choir (3-6)

The MCAG Choir is a course designed to provide an atmosphere for the enjoyment, appreciation and performance of all types of choral music. The choir is open to all interested students of varied vocal talents and abilities. The instruction and improvement of voice quality, intonation, ability to read music, ability to sight-sing, and the overall development of musicianship is stressed in conjunction with the learning of each piece of music. Students are given the opportunity to perform in several concerts throughout the school year.

Violin (3-6)

Small Group Lessons.

Spanish (1-6)

Learning Spanish through story, activity, and song.

Bible

The school intends to maintain a Christian atmosphere and to integrate prayer as well as Biblical passages and principles into daily activities.

Events