Modern schools normally set 10 or more courses before a child with 30-45 minute blocks for each subject.  A modern high school student often gets as much time for English as he does for art class.  Obviously that is not a prudent plan--good for scheduling bells and managing faculty, but terrible for the intellectual development of the child.  

In the CLAA we do not believe that all courses deserve an equal block of time in the schedule.  Christians traditionally went to school to begin the pursuit of Wisdom, not to check off a list of required courses for a diploma.

Students beginning in the CLAA should begin the study of the three core courses, upon which all future studies are built.  These are:  Catechism, Grammar and Arithmetic

1.  When we speak of catechism, we should not think of sacramental preparation.  Every pastor may have distinct requirements for the sacraments and that's church business.  Here, we're dealing with intellectual formation.  For the child's intellectual formation, we believe that every CLAA student should study a traditional catechism and for that we recommend the Baltimore Catechism.  Students should enroll in the level that matches their state. 

• Baltimore Catechism I:  Pre-Communion students
• Baltimore Catechism II:  Pre-Confirmation students
• Baltimore Catechism III:  Post-Confirmation students

We are studying these specific courses not because they are "required" by our churches, but because they are invaluable for future studies.  Our students have to know Christianity--and it's taught nowhere as well as it is in the Baltimore Catechism.

2.  Grammar is the art of speaking and writing rightly.  Without Grammar there is no essay writing, no poetry, no public speaking, no Logic, no Rhetoric.  Students getting started in the CLAA should enroll in both of these first level courses:

• Classical Grammar IA:  Latin Etymology (words and meanings)
• Classical Grammar IB:  Latin Reading (St. John's Gospel)

Parents have the option in the CLAA of starting children in our English Grammar but this is not necessary.  It may be more necessary for the parents than the children.

3.  Arithmetic is the art of counting and numbers, but more importantly, it is the beginning of the study of reasoning.  While modern schools ensure that students learn their "math facts" and practical arithmetic concepts, they fail to teach the children the art of mathematics.  We focus on the art in:

• Classical Arithmetic I

We also offer courses in Practical Arithmetic, but these, like English Grammar, are not necessary.

Therefore a new student should begin with these four courses:

• Baltimore Catechism
• Classical Grammar IA
• Classical Grammar IB
• Classical Arithmetic I

Once students are established in their core courses, enrichment courses may be added--and we offer wonderful enrichment courses.   There are four main categories of enrichment courses:

• History
• Philosophy
• Fine & Performing Arts
• Practical Arts

Of the enrichment courses available we first recommend: World Chronology, Natural History and Music Theory.  World Chronology provides students with a rich survey of world history from a Christian point of view and provides the "big picture" out from which all future history courses are developed.  Natural History (a classical ap introduces students to an understanding of the natural world that is assumed in future philosophical and theological studies.  Music Theory provides students with a philosophical understanding of music from which true mastery in music performance and composition may be developed.  These three:  World Chronology, Natural History and Music Theory provide an excellent program of enrichment for students of the classical liberal arts.

The next level of enrichment, for students faring well in their core studies, would be Humanities and Traditional Drawing.  

While we recommend holding off until students progress through Catechism, many students have started early in our excellent Biblical Studies program.

In CLAA schools, we will be offering the following course of study for all first year students and recommend it to others:

• Baltimore Catechism (level based on age)
• Classical Grammar IA
• Classical Grammar IB
• Classical Arithmetic I
• World Chronology I
• Natural Philosophy I
• Music Theory I
• Humanities I