High School (thee Rhetoric program) is when classical education really differentiates itself from the other educational models. King Alfred Academy pushes students to present themselves well in every subject. The Rhetoric program King Alfred Academy, unlike many other High Schools, is not divided by semester. Instead, courses are taken year round as this leads to moving through the material slower, giving more time to digest what is learned, following the classical tenet of Festina lente. (make haste slowly) Everything, as in all classes and grades at King Alfred Academy is taught through a distinctly Christian worldview with a focus on our 6 distinctives. Below is an overview of the major components of the curriculum.
High School
Rhetoric Program
RHETORIC COURSE
The rhetoric course at King Alfred academy is taken on a part time basis (twice a week) throughout the four years. It is considered the capstone of classical education. Students learn to present themselves well in both writing and speaking. This culminates in grade 12 when students are required to write a Senior Thesis. The Senior Thesis involves both a written component that takes the form of an essay, as well a presentation component that takes the form of presenting their paper to a panel and defending their argument from questions.
LITERATURE COURSE
Literature is about reading and interacting with books that have proven to be of great worth. Students work their way through history by reading through the great books that have shaped Western Civilization. We go from ancient literature like Homer’s Odyssey and work our way through history, reading books that have stood the test of time.
HISTORY COURSE
Our History program continues the sequence of our Grammar and Logic programs. From grade 9-12, students work their way through the historical story, from creation to the present. For those who have been with the school from the grammar stage, this will be the 3rd time through the history of Western Civilization.
We focus on the history of Western Civilization because we are the descendants of the Western Story and it is important to know where we came from. In addition, it is in the providence of the Lord that Christianity was one of the primary influences that shaped Western culture. Therefore, studying that particular history, looking at the good and the bad and seeing the providence of God through history is vastly important.
MATH COURSE
As KAA students take the Algebra 1 concepts in the 8th grade, students begin with a course in Geometry and work their way through Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. There are plans to add a course on consumer math that focuses on personal finances, as well as concepts like compound interest, mortgage rates, etc.
SCIENCE COURSE
The sequence for science at King Alfred Academy goes as follows: Grade 9 – Physical Science | Grade 10 – Biology | Grade 11 – Chemistry | Grade 12 – Physics. Each is a challenging course that goes through the main concepts for each field.
BIBLE COURSE
In the Rhetoric School, Bible is taught from a reformed perspective as indicated in our doctrinal statement. Students begin by working through a two year systematic theology course that teaches them the main doctrines of the Christian faith. In their third year, students take a hermeneutics course on how to properly interpret the Bible. The final year, while preparing to leave the school, students learn to defend their faith in an apologetics course.
LANGUAGE COURSES
Currently the Rhetoric School at King Alfred Academy offers two languages. Students may continue their studies from the Grammar and Logic schools in Latin or students may shift to learning learning French
MUSIC COURSE
Music at King Alfred Academy looks at both singing and instrumental music. The focus of the music program is to help out students become better worshippers while learning music theory and skills. Both singing and instrumental are used to learn and become fluent in musical theory.
ELECTIVES
Currently the two offered electives at King Alfred Academy are Physical Education and Art. Physical Education focuses on fitness and learning sports. Art focuses on both art appreciation and learning the fundamental skills of artistic ability.
OPTIONS
Co-op
Students in grade 12 have the opportunity to participate in a co-op program. Students are required to find their placement that is then approved by King Alfred Academy administration. Students have an option of doing co-op for the full year or half a year and can earn some credits toward the KAA diploma.
Dual Credit - Christian Halls
King Alfred Academy offers a unique opportunity to its students. Students have the opportunity to earn university credits from an accredited university in the United States. KAA has partnered with South Eastern University giving the students the opportunity to submit assignments to SEU that can be used to complete University courses. Courses on Theology, Literature and History are currently available. As students work their way through the KAA curriculum they will complete assignments that will be submitted to the University. There is an extra cost to participate in the dual credit program.
Future plans include adding math and science courses to the dual credit courses with the possibility of graduating with a 2-year University Associate’s Degree.
OSSD
King Alfred Academy is an unaccredited High School. This means that it does not offer the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Ontario Accredited Courses.
Pros – KAA is free to offer an authentic classical curriculum.
- KAA is free from government control of what is taught
- The government cannot use accreditation as a hostage to attempt to coerce KAA about what it believes, teaches and practices.
- The OSSD has been failing Ontario children in not providing a true education for a long time. The standards in Literature and other subjects have been degraded as the curriculum has been changed to adhere to the new woke ideology.
- An example of this is the changing of grade 11 literature to exclusively native literature instead of great literature.
- Courses are designed to foster wisdom and virtue while maintaining academic excellence.
Cons – It makes getting into Universities and Colleges that require the OSSD more difficult.
- It can mean needing extra steps and time in order to get into Colleges and Universities.
Before laying out the various paths to post secondary options, it is worth mentioning that the education that KAA provides is superior and will absolutely prepare a student for post secondary studies no matter what they desire to study. See below for the various paths:
POST-SECONDARY PATHS
Path to University
When applying to Universities students put together a portfolio of their work and apply in a similar way to a homeschool student. Each University is slightly different in their requirements. Some Universities will accept KAA’s transcript, others will need more. KAA will work with students to put together a package that will give the student the best chance of acceptance to the Universities of their choice.
Student have the opportunity to write the CLT, SAT and ACT if they desire in order to bolster their acceptance success.
As the dual credit program grows, this will also help with applying to Universities and some courses will even transfer.
Path to College
Colleges are different from Universities in that they require an OSSD or equivalent in order to apply. Since KAA does not offer one, students must write the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) test. This credential is equivalent to the OSSD and recognized by Ontario colleges. Students may write this test as soon as they turn 18 years old.
In addition, students must find out their program requirements and understand the required courses needed. In some cases students may need to augment their course load in order to meet the requirements.
The dual credit program will help with this as well in meeting required courses as well.
Path to Trades
Upon reaching their 18th birthday, students will write the Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) test. They can use this credential to apply for trades schools. Traditionally students will find a sponsoring employer who will sponsor them and will go through the apprenticeship program. The CAEC will qualify them for the vast majority of Trades programs. For the few that need official Ontario Academic Courses (OACs), the dual credit program will help with meeting this requirement.
Cromwell Hall
Cromwell Hall is a Christ-centered post-secondary institution dedicated to strengthening local communities through excellent liberal arts education. We equip students with intellectual depth, spiritual formation, and vocational skills to impact culture for Christ. Committed to educating the whole person—mind, spirit, and calling—we foster a love for truth, a heart for service, and the courage to stand firm in faith. With a focus on academic excellence and spiritual growth, we prepare students to lead, serve, and glorify God in all aspects of life.
