History and Background of SCCA
Like many other Christians in our community, members
of Stratford Orthodox Presbyterian
Church desire to educate their children in accordance with a Christian
understanding of the world. Furthermore, they desire to educate them in
the most effective manner possible, so that their children will grow to
be well equipped to fulfill their duties to Jesus Christ. Such duties
will include their responsibilities as Church members, as citizens in
the community, as spouses and parents, and as workers in their vocations.
In seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, Stratford Orthodox Presbyterian Church began planning to establish the Stratford Classical Christian Academy (SCCA) in the summer of 2000. The school was founded by Rev. Martin Dawson, and a school board was appointed to begin researching the best methods of education available. Early in this process, the SCCA board decided that the classical method of education, rooted in a Biblical worldview, was a superior foundation on which to build the school.
Over the course of the next year (2001) the school board began to consult with several other Classical Christian schools such as Tall Oaks Classical Christian School in Delaware, and to develop bylaws and a comprehensive business plan. The goal was to create a school that would be built on a solid foundation theologically, philosphically, and financially. It was determined in the Spring of 2002 that SCCA would seek to open its doors in the Fall of 2003. The Lord has blessed the labors of those involved in SCCA, and with His blessing we opened our doors in the Fall of 2003.
The Academy's long term vision is to graduate students who have received a superior education, and who endeavor in their callings after graduation to bring honor to the name of their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Stratford Classical Christian Academy plans to assist parents in training their children in the historic Christian faith, and in a manner consistent with the Classical method of education. It plans to begin with a few grades, kindergarten through third grade, and then to add grades as it becomes more self-sufficient.
Stratford Classical Christian Academy is committed to the absolute authority of Scripture. We believe that the infallible Word of God is found in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. We affirm the historic Christian doctrines of the Protestant Reformation, and we have adopted as our Doctrinal Standards the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
The classical method of education is based upon the Trivium, consisting of "grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric". These three stages of the classical method correspond to the Trivium of "knowledge, understanding, and wisdom" found in the Book of Proverbs.
SCCA is a parochial school, meaning that it is a ministry of the Church. While many private Christian day schools have done a fine job of providing a Christ honoring education, we believe that there are distinct advantages to having the school under the oversight of a solid Church. Such oversight ensures the doctrinal integrity of the whole enterprise.
SCCA is operated by a Board of Directors which is appointed and overseen by the Session of Stratford Orthodox Presbyterian Church. SCCA has a Headmaster who governs and is responsible for the day to day operation of the school.
The curriculum for the early grades includes the following subjects: Bible, mathematics, grammar, phonics, history, science, art, linguistics, literature, Latin and physical education. The curriculum is provided by various Classical Christian school sources, such as Veritas Press.
In addition, SCCA is assisting home schooling parents who desire to implement the classical method at home. This is done through a la carte classes, curriculum assistance, and classroom observation.
SCCA will seek accreditation from the Association of Classical and Christian
Schools (ACCS).
