School of Rhetoric

The Rhetoric School serves not as the end goal for our students, but as a pivotal stage in their lifelong journey toward a love of learning, the development of wisdom and eloquence, and the exploration of life's most significant questions.

Expanding upon the foundations laid during the Grammar and Logic stages, students at Valor Preparatory Academy in Waco, Texas, mature into intentional critical thinkers. They are now prepared to direct their attention toward the art of compelling and proficient expression, both in written and spoken form. Our dedicated School of Rhetoric educators encourage students to delve into their intellectual and spiritual heritage by engaging with the profound works and influential figures of Western Civilization. Our curriculum is thoughtfully crafted to incorporate knowledge from diverse disciplines, fostering not only creative thinking but also profound reflection on the Christian worldview and its impact on our understanding of the world.

Curriculum

Integrated Humanities

At Valor Preparatory Academy, the Humanities Department is dedicated to nurturing an appreciation for the true, good, and beautiful through the study of composition, languages, history, philosophy, and literature. Our goal is to prepare our students, in alignment with the scriptural call to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, by providing them with a strong foundation in global history and compelling narratives. This education equips them to express their Christian worldview effectively in both written and oral forms while also enabling them to critically analyze how their worldview influences their interpretation of the world, both past and present. Through an integrated approach to history and literature, grounded in the Great Conversation, students engage with profound ideas from throughout human history and understand their far-reaching impact on individuals and societies. All of this is framed within a biblical Christian worldview, helping students recognize God’s providence throughout human history and guiding them in aligning every thought, idea, philosophy, and worldview with Christ.

Math

In the realm of mathematics, our focus extends beyond mere efficiency and precision in problem-solving. We emphasize cultivating a profound understanding of mathematical concepts and nurturing the ability to think critically in mathematical terms. Our math program is designed to ignite a passion for mathematics in every student. We view mathematics not only as a potent tool for comprehending the intricacies of our world but also as a beautifully intricate creation by God Himself. Your child will not only have the opportunity to master problem-solving but also to develop a genuine affection for mathematics. Through our program, all students gain a deep appreciation for the power and elegance inherent in mathematics, equipping them to tackle both theoretical challenges and real-world problems with confidence.

Science

In the realm of science at Valor Preparatory Academy, our mission is to explore, comprehend, and marvel at the magnificent display of God’s glory evident in His splendid, harmonious, and meticulously designed creation. Our science curriculum is carefully crafted to impart essential skills and methodologies essential for scientific inquiry, encompassing a range of disciplines including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and other specialized fields. Ultimately, Valor students are equipped to approach the sciences as interconnected facets of a comprehensive exploration of God’s holistic masterpiece.

Languages

Spanish
In Matthew 28, Jesus instructed His disciples to go and make disciples of all nations, encompassing every people group on Earth. This command remains as relevant today as it was then. Learning Spanish transcends mere utility for vacations; it becomes a gateway to connect with a diverse world and share the message of life with those who might otherwise remain isolated from relationship and the gospel. Proficiency in Spanish opens doors to one-sixth of the world’s population, allowing for meaningful relationships and gospel outreach that language barriers would otherwise hinder.

Latin
At Valor Preparatory Academy, Latin is the study of an inflected, ancient, and immortal language beneficial for formation, communication, and delight. It is not primarily about acquiring a “useful” language, but rather endeavors to train the mind and memory toward order and detail. Latin scholars possess a keen understanding of grammatical structures, and develop an awareness of the logic within language which carries over to an increased facility with analysis, debate, and problem solving. Requiring students to engage with formative ideas from Western civilization’s most brilliant minds in their untranslated language of origin, allows students to assume the posture of a traveler in foreign lands, one of humility, deference, and curiosity. Nevile Gwynne, a British writer and businessman who was a student at both Eton and Oxford, once said, “Latin provides a training and development of the mind and character to a degree of excellence that no other mental or physical activity can come anywhere near to bringing about.”

Bible

At Valor Preparatory Academy, the School of Logic lays the essential groundwork of biblical literacy, focusing on both the Old and New Testaments. Subsequently, the Rhetoric School constructs a steadfast and intellectual framework upon this solid foundation. Our overarching mission at Valor is to cultivate fervent disciples of Jesus who embody the values of truth, goodness, and beauty, and who are fully equipped to courageously impact culture for Christ. We firmly believe that students whose hearts and intellects are immersed in God’s Word and the Christian worldview are best prepared to be influential cultural ambassadors for the glory of God.

Rhetoric

Rhetoric, representing the pinnacle of the classical trivium, is the art of effectively employing available means of persuasion, both in spoken and written form, while infusing one’s distinctive style. This comprehensive three-year course of study revolves around a fundamental question: “What renders individuals persuadable?” Although it is omnipresent, the art of rhetoric is regrettably underemphasized in modern educational contexts, yet it remains the linchpin of classical education. Augustine’s assertion that one must “speak eloquently as well as wisely” underscores the critical role of rhetoric. Even when students have mastered other disciplines, without rhetoric, they lack the means to communicate effectively and put their knowledge into practice. Rhetoric’s value lies in its capacity to equip students with the skills to respond, defend, and create. It enhances their ability to discern the persuasive strategies of others, uphold truth, and craft compelling compositions that aim to edify one another—the ultimate purpose of all rhetoric.

Latin

Clear communication stands as a central tenet of Valor’s educational philosophy across all subject areas. Our world languages curriculum, particularly Latin, aligns with our mission to equip students to positively impact culture for God’s glory. Mastery of Latin serves as a gateway to understanding multiple languages, offering students foundational insights into the mechanics of language itself. Latin not only facilitates the learning of modern Romance languages but also enriches students’ grasp of English vocabulary and sentence structure. A significant portion of English’s polysyllabic words have Latin origins, and our Latin curriculum is carefully designed to enhance English vocabulary. At Valor, students are actively engaged in the grand discourse of Western Civilization and global culture, and a key component of this engagement is the enriching study of Latin.

Senior Thesis

The Senior Thesis represents the pinnacle of the Valor seniors’ educational journey. It serves as the culmination of their entire academic experience at Valor, providing them with a holistic platform to demonstrate their well-honed critical thinking, mature reasoning, adept articulation, and persuasive argumentation. In this endeavor, they engage in thorough research, meticulous construction, and a compelling defense of a comprehensive rhetorical paper centered on a real-world topic of their choosing. The culmination of this academic journey includes a final thesis defense at the conclusion of the year, featuring a 15-20 minute persuasive oral presentation followed by a rigorous defense session before a panel of professionals and academics within their chosen field. This experience stands as an invaluable opportunity for them to rigorously test, refine, and showcase the comprehensive array of skills they have honed throughout their tenure at Valor.

Parent Partnership

As students enter into the 9th-12th grade, more responsibility is placed on the student for his/her learning and planning.. In the earlier years (9th-10th), parents assume the role of “course monitors,” maintaining a watchful eye on their child’s study habits and course progress. However, it’s essential that neither the student nor the classroom teacher becomes overly dependent on this oversight. By the 11th and 12th grades, parents take a step back from regular oversight and are no longer required to be closely involved in day-to-day activities. Instead, their involvement primarily centers around assisting the student with special projects when needed.

At this stage, parents have greater freedom to engage with their child in ways that foster “interactive discussion and discipleship.” While they are not actively overseeing the student’s learning, they are encouraged and equipped to ask probing questions related to life’s profound inquiries. The primary aim of these conversations is not just academic learning but also the cultivation of enduring, meaningful relationships between parent and student.

Precise definitions of the various parental roles as their student progresses can be found in the Valor Parent & Student Handbook.

Class Trips

At Valor, brief field excursions and extended class trips are integral components of our curriculum. While classroom instruction remains the primary method of curriculum delivery, these trips play a pivotal role in enhancing and enriching the educational experience in profound and memorable ways. Consequently, meticulous planning goes into field trips and class excursions, aligning them with specific core curricular objectives. As a general guideline, each grade level embarks on one trip per semester. Typically, one trip is geared towards nurturing students’ spiritual development, fostering their connection with God and their fellow human beings. The other trip is designed to enhance students’ academic learning. Importantly, these two aspects are not mutually exclusive but rather complement each other to provide a well-rounded educational experience.