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Principle Approach Schools

September 3rd, 2010

Another philosophy or method of education that has found a voice in Tyler Texas for going on thirty plus years now is the Principle Approach to American Christian Education. When it comes to traditional private education that emphasizes strong academics, conservative orthodox values, and solid Christian character there are really two main camps that a private institution can choose from. (I understand that sounds sort of exclusive, but these are the primary schools of thought, no pun intended).

The Principle Approach (PA) is sometimes defined as America’s historical approach to teaching children. The method seeks to apply the principles of scripture to every field of study. In early American history, children learned to read and reason with the Bible as their primary text. And while some subjects are admittedly disciplines to be mastered rather than philosophies to be debated, the PA places a premium on the pursuit of logic and truth.

PA schools have a familiar classroom setting and strongly emphasize History, Literature, English and Latin as the center of their philosophy. Great importance is placed on returning to original sources. They tend to focus on the American founding fathers, and classical liberal philosophers like John Locke, and others as the examples for maintaining a solid moral and public life. Students who graduate from these schools tend to take with them a strong sense of direction and an ability to reason critically toward a logical conclusion.

Principle Approach schools always seek to individualize the subjects as much as possible. You won’t see “Socialist” Studies, Language Arts or Biology on a PA class list. Instead you’ll find American History, Western Civ., Surveys in English Lit., Sentence Analysis, A&P, Botany, Zoology, etc. These schools see each subject as its own discipline, not some amalgam of subject groups. Avoiding a group think mentality as part of the goal here. One of the more unusual aspects of PA schools is the curriculum of choice, or rather the absence thereof. Ok subjects like Math and Science have textbooks but many subjects do not. Teachers are encouraged to form their own curriculum. Now admittedly this is a lot to expect from an educator, but it also puts him or her where I believe the teacher belongs… at the center of the classroom. The teachers are masters of their subjects and become living textbooks for their students. This also heightens the mentor student relationship, a reason why many PA schools place a premium on teachers with a strong sense of faith. The result is a classroom that is not child centered, but subject centered and Scripture based.

The Classical Approach (CA) or American Classical Method probably warrants an article of its own. It goals and methods (as I best understand them) are very similar but a bit more Socratic. While PA schools look to Anglo- American examples, CA schools draw more from the Greco- Roman tradition as the founders of Western law and thought.

What are the drawbacks? The PA is a solid time tested method. Our local PA school has tremendous record of achievement. But while it doesn’t apply here, many such schools around the country can be a bit sectarian in terms of denomination and the use of Reformed theology. For those whose churches adhere to that doctrine this is obviously not an issue. For the rest of us however it can be a bit of a compromise to send our children to an excellent academic institution but with theology that conflicts with our own. Now I’m sure that I’ll get a fair amount flak from friends and family here if I don’t go out of my way to emphasize that Tyler’s Principle Approach School is far more open to other theological positions, and far less heavy on Reform Theology than other schools who use the approach.

Taken as a whole I strongly endorse this method. My personal history being what it is, I owe a lot to this approach to education and have never regretted the time I’ve spent in Principle Approach classrooms, either seated in a desk, or standing at the lectern.

For more on The Principle Approach, visit the following web pages at http://www.principleapproach.org/, or http://www.pilgriminstitute.org/pilgrim/. For more on Tyler’s own Principle Approach school go to http://www.chsconnect.org/pages/, or look for my original article entitled An Institution in East Texas Education, by simply clicking on the following link: http://www.tylertxdirectory.com/1029/an-institution-in-east-texas-education/.

Cultural Institutions and Events in Tyler Texas

May 19th, 2010

The Tyler and East Texas area are often criticized for a perceived lack of culture or cultural events. This point of criticism is only partially true. With the city growing more and more all the time, new events and institutions geared to changing this perception are opening every day. For those interested in expanding our area’s horizons, here are a couple of opportunities to aid to our local cultural awareness.

The American Freedom Museum at the Brook Hill School

The Brook Hill School has been open for nearly fourteen years now. In that time the school has worked to build a reputation as a premier preparatory academy that not only offers its students an excellent education, but contributes to the betterment to the overall East Texas community. One such example is The American Freedom Museum, located on their campus in Bullard. The museum opened to the public earlier this month and is so much more than just an amateur collection of charts and artifacts! It is an actual historical museum with exhibits that would make any university proud. The Hall of Presidents, features documents signed by each of our nation’s Presidents. The Hall of Freedom contains historical artifacts from all of our nation’s wars and conflicts, including period uniforms, flags and weapons. There are even aircraft and other vehicles from both the Second World War and the Vietnam War, on display. The purpose of the institution is to inspire both students and the public at large, as well as to honor Americans veterans from all our wars. A visit here would provide a wonderful learning opportunity for East Texans this summer. For more information on either the school or the museum contact their office at (903)894-5000. Also look for the article entitled Classical Education and Christian Character located elsewhere on this site.

As a side note the school will be running its summer athletic camps from the end of June through July. The camps cover most area sports including Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer, Dance and Drill, general conditioning and a number of others. See their website for times and options. www.brookhill.org/summercamps.html.

The Historical Aviation Memorial Museum

Another opportunity for summer learning is the Historical Aviation Memorial Museum, located in the old Tyler Pounds Field Terminal in Tyler. The Aviation Museum is a great local institution that will fascinate kids and adults alike. It covers the history of aviation and even space travel, from all periods of history. In doors are models, maps and uniforms from air forces and air transportation the world over. Out doors are restored military aircraft from several historical periods. The museum also owns three additional airplanes which are currently not on general display and is in the process of restoring a couple others. The museum is scheduled to hold an Aviation Camp from June ninth through the twelfth, from ten am to three pm, and a static air show display on July third from ten am to five pm. For more information on the museum and other upcoming events visit their website at www.tylerhamm.org, or look for the article entitled World history is down the street, located elsewhere on this site.

The Tyler Oil Palace

While I admit the venue is not great, the Tyler Oil Palace has maintained an interesting slate of events lately. This summer the agenda continues to move forward with an appearance by legendary country western artist George Jones on June nineteenth, followed by political rock star Sara Palin on June twenty sixth, and a visit from the Shrine Circus on September fourth, fifth, and sixth. While I concede that not all of these necessarily constitute culturally enriching events, visits from national figures like Palin, (and Glen Beck who visited last month), definitely help to put our fair city on the map. For more info on the Oil Palace or on upcoming events go to the website at www.oilpalace.com, or see my recent article entitled Glenn Beck comes to Tyler, also located on this site.

Opportunity, Values and Academics

January 8th, 2010

Grace Community School was founded in 1973 by a group of families from the church, who wanted to offer a Christian education to area Tyler Texas parents. The doors opened to sixty students ranging from second to twelfth grade. Today the school still places faith and scripture at the heart of all its courses of study. The purpose is to build Christian character into the student. The school also aims at producing young people with a Christian world view who are capable of defending their faith in an increasingly secular society.

But G.C.S. is also believes in challenging academics and ranks at the top among all Tyler Schools. The curriculum is designed to build critical reasoning skills and impart a wide knowledge of life and learning. The teachers are the school’s greatest assets. They are masters of their subjects and have themselves, a love of learning; a trait they transfer to their students. The staff serves the students not only as subject teachers, but as councilors, prayer partners and Godly examples.

Student life at the school is rich, with a full list of athletic and extra curricular activities. The sports program consists of football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, soccer, etc. Student clubs like yearbook, student government and many others are located on campus and help to create an authentic high school experience.

The campus is beautiful and almost always expanding in order to accommodate an ever growing student body. The athletic facilities are particularly impressive. The elementary school is located on the church grounds at 3215 Old Jacksonville Road, and the jr. high and high School at 3001 University Boulevard.

After nearly forty years of service to the Tyler area, Grace has grown into a school of nearly a thousand students. If you’re looking for a place with the opportunities of a public school, the traditional Christian values of a private school, and the academics of a college preparatory school, Grace Community School could be the place for your child.

Classical Education And Christian Character

January 8th, 2010

The next school up for review on this site is the Brook Hill School. Since its founding in 1997, the institution has become highly regarded in Tyler most notably for its incredibly beautiful campus. Everything from the football field, library, basketball court, even a historical museum, is located on campus. But there is literary more to this school than meets the eye.
           
Located in Bullard, Brook Hill literally draws students from all over the world. It is considered a non-denominational Christian school, and it truly qualifies. The staff runs the gambit from Baptists to Catholics, and everything in between. The school takes a classical approach to education, meaning that there is a heavy focus on classes like logic, rhetoric, and language, all subjects considered to be traditional disciplines. There is no canned curriculum here. The goal is a prep-school quality education, something Brook Hill easily attains.

But academics aren’t the only focus. There is a healthy interest in Character as well. Weekly chapel services include various pastors and community leaders. It is the staff’s desire that the students develop Christ-like character, and graduate with an established Christian worldview so that they are prepared to meet a secular college environment.

With around 500 students, Brook Hill offers a full slate of extracurricular opportunities. Opportunities for travel include trips to Washington D.C. and across Texas. Sports teams include; baseball, basketball, football, soccer and others. There are also numerous school clubs available like: student government, drum line, writing and a number of others.

When you consider both size of the campus and the opportunities the school offers, its easy to see why Brook Hill is one of the pricier schools in the Tyler area. But remember, you tend to get what you pay for. For those more concerned with providing an excellent education for their children, and less concerned with the cost, this school is a great bet. It should definitely be considered come the fall.

Green Acres Baptist Church Library

December 8th, 2009

After having been so disappointed by the Tyler Public Library and vowing never to return, I was stuck in a quandry: How do I relive the joy of childhood library visits and impart an enthusiasm for literacy in my own young preschoolers when I dread the thought of returning to the library? (Trumpets blare. The hero has arrived.) Another mom passed on a secret source for hours of golden literary adventures: The Green Acres Baptist Church’s (GABC) library. What? They have a library? I knew about the bowling alley, the Early Education Center, the roller coaster, (What? It doesn’t actually include an amusement park?) but I wouldn’t have thought to look for a library.

This little library is tucked away by door #1 in the Worship Center and includes a nice gift shop. As you walk in, you’ll see on one side, a smaller version of the Scroll Christian bookstore, and on the other, a modest, well-organized library of literary gems, DVDs, and audiobooks/dramas for young and old and in between. You may not find every resource you might need for a research paper, but they pack quite a bit in this small space.

The biggest relief for me as a mother, was that there was nothing I had to steer the kids away from (no Goosebumps, no No David) and very few Disney reworks. Everything we encountered was uplifting and positive if not blatantly Christian. As well as providing hours of quality read-aloud snuggle time, these books were an excellent springboard for discussions on handling difficult situations, our values, theology, Christian character, and all kinds of educational themes.

The staff at the Green Acres Baptist Church Library was always very friendly and helpful. I felt comfortable hanging out to read a few books with my two preschoolers and infant in tow. Because of the small size, I could even look for an inspiring craft book and woman’s devotional for myself just a few rows over while my kids perused their selections at a small table nearby.

If you’ve read my earlier review of the Tyler Public Library, you will undoubtedly figure out that part of what thrills me about this library is that it’s free!!! Whether you live in Tyler TX, or in a different county altogether, you will not have to purchase a rental punch card here. All I had to do to receive a card was fill out a little information paper, and I received three cards, one regular card, and two smaller ones to place on our key rings. How convenient!

Don’t forget there’s a great little bookstore in there too! It’s a convenient place to pick up a gift, or try (in the library) before you buy to find out whether your child will enjoy a video, audio, or book series before you make the investment!

After a year of going to the library almost every week, we had not yet exhausted the GABC Library’s selections, and the kids were still just as excited to head to the Library (snow, sleet, or hail)!

So, if you, like me have been disappointed by the Tyler Public Library, or you just want a more welcoming, less overwhelming space to let your kids’ nurture their love of books and explore positive, fun, life-shaping materials, I recommend that you check out the Green Acres Baptist Church Library.