Grammar School

Within every child is an innate desire to learn. God created each of us to wonder, discover, reason, and know.

The classical educational model employs a tripartite structure aimed at developing students into well-rounded individuals capable of skillful knowledge acquisition, critical reasoning, and effective communication. Valor’s Grammar School prioritizes both the development of essential skills and the enrichment of intellectual thought. Mastery of English phonograms, foundational principles of spelling and grammar, arithmetic facts, global geography, and fundamental scientific concepts are integral to a Liberal Arts education. The cornerstone of effective learning in our approach is the technique of narration. By articulating what they have absorbed, students not only deepen their understanding but also evolve into virtuous individuals and responsible citizens in God’s world.

Curriculum

Drawing inspiration from the profound biblical truth, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1), Valor’s Grammar School underscores the significance of language as a reflection of our Creator’s communicative essence. Central to our educational approach is the practice of narration, where students articulate, in their own words, comprehensive stories from history, Scripture, nature, and various living books.

Reflecting Charlotte Mason’s guiding principle that ‘the intellectual and spiritual lives of children are interconnected, with the Divine Spirit serving as a constant guide in all aspects of life,’ Valor’s Grammar School Education is centered on the dual quest for divine knowledge and a nuanced understanding of human nature. Each academic day commences with acts of worship, including hymn singing, reading and recounting stories from The Child’s Story Bible, and prayer.

Echoing Plato’s ancient wisdom that ‘Mathematics represents the pinnacle of pure thought,’ Valor is dedicated to achieving a dual objective in mathematical education. We aim for mastery of fundamental skills while also fostering a sense of awe at the limitless connections that numbers can reveal. From exploring natural patterns to engaging in problem-solving exercises and interactive math games, we offer a comprehensive approach to mathematics.

Inspired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s words, ‘The Earth is filled with divine presence, and even the most ordinary elements radiate God’s glory; it is up to the observer to recognize and revere this,’ we acknowledge the innate curiosity children possess. They are captivated by the flutter of a butterfly, intrigued by the slow movement of a caterpillar, and fascinated by the unique structure of a mushroom. Recognizing this, Victorian educator Charlotte Mason advised that children should be exposed to ‘things worth observing.’

Parent Partnership

Echoing Charlotte Mason’s assertion that ‘the role of parents in the proper upbringing of their children is of unparalleled difficulty, delicacy, and significance,’ Valor holds the conviction that parents are the foremost spiritual guides for their children. We deem it an honor to nurture their aspirations for their children to know God, adhere to His teachings, and delight in His creation. Our teaching staff is dedicated to maintaining transparent and regular communication with parents, who are encouraged to discuss both the triumphs and challenges experienced during home-based learning days. It’s a common sight to witness staff, faculty, and parents engaged in communal prayer in our hallways or enjoying a moment of fellowship over coffee in the parking lot.

Class Trips

Kindergarten

Fall – Pumpkin Patch
Spring – World Hunger Relief Farm

First Grade

Fall – Pumpkin Patch
Spring – Homestead Heritage

Second Grade

Fall – Ft Worth Zoo
Spring – Dallas Arboretum

Third Grade

Fall – Inner Space Caverns
Spring – Medieval Times

Fourth Grade

Fall – Birome Cotton Gin/Homestead Heritage
Spring – Bullock Texas State History Museum

Fifth Grade

Fall – Lake Meridian State Park
Spring – Urban Reap/Mission Waco

  • 1st Quarter: A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond (RA)
  • 2nd Quarter: My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (RA)
  • 3rd Quarter: A Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter (RA)
  • 4th Quarter: Homer Price by Robert McCloskey (RA)
  • 1st Quarter: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White (RA)
  • 2nd Quarter: Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates (RA)
  • 3rd Quarter: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl (RA)
  • 4th Quarter: On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder (RA)
  • 1st Quarter: Missionary Biography: Samuel Morris/David Livingstone (RA)
  • 2nd Quarter: Treasures in the Snow (Abridged) by Patricia St. John (RA)
  • 3rd Quarter: D’Aulaires Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d’Aulaire and Edgar Parin d’Aulaire (RA)
  • 4th Quarter: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (RA)
  • 1st Semester: YWAM Missionary Biography: Gladys Aylward (RA)
  • 2nd Semester: Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis (RA)
  • Fall 1: Sarah, Plain, and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan
  • Fall 2: The Sword in the Tree by Clyde Robert Bulla
  • Spring 1: Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne
  • Spring 2: The Queen’s Smuggler by by Neta Jackson
  • 1st Semester: YWAM Missionary Biography: Cameron Townsend (RA)
  • 2nd Semester:  Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster (RA)  
  • Fall 1: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
  • Fall 2: Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare 
  • Spring 1: Toliver’s Secret by Elizabeth Yates 
  • Spring 2: Freedom Crossing by Margaret Clark
  • Spring 3: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis
  • 1st Semester: YWAM Missionary Biography: George Mueller (RA)
  • 2nd Semester: Wind in the Willows  by Kenneth Grahame (RA)
  • Fall 1:  Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
  • Fall 2: Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
  • Spring 2: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
  • Spring 3: Sergeant York and the Great War by Tom Skeyhill
  • Spring 3: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry