The Principle Approach

The Principled Approach® is an educational philosophy and methodology “that produces Christian character and self-government, Christian scholarship and Biblical reasoning for lifelong learning and discipleship.” Our students get a profound awareness of their value in Christ and how God’s Word connects to every element of life and liberty, which helps us be more effective in our special mission to restore the Christian Character of the Republic.

The Principle Approach: Philosophy

  • Encompasses the concept of personal government under God and the value placed on each individual in the Christian conception of God, man, and government
  • Teaches students to “Think Governmentally”: 
    • WHO or WHAT is governing, guiding, or controlling
    • Cause-to-effect or internal-to-external
  • Education is based on a Christian perspective, namely American Christian. It instructs the student in:
    • comprehending the connection between America and Christianity, not just patriotism
    • Recognize the biblical ideas that led to the creation of our Christian form of governance
    • Understand what it means to be an American Christian, a steward of America’s inheritance of Christian liberty, character, self-government, property, and unity with union
    • Understand and be able to explain why America is special in the world and what her governmental and/or gospel role is

The Principle Approach: Curriculum

  • The objectives of the Principle Approach curriculum set it apart from other Christian school curriculum:
    • Provide biblical guidance on virtue, honesty, industriousness, entrepreneurship, and productivity throughout the course material
    • List of the topics on the Chain of Christianity
  • The curriculum shows how each subject is denoted in the Scriptures by:
    • Identifying the biblical source, inspiration, and origin of each topic
    • Showing each topic’s biblical goal and purpose
  • Every subject is taught in the light of how God has used it to further the gospel and the principles of Christian liberty, self-government, property, and union
  • The curriculum emerges from the heart of the individual teacher, the “living textbook,” who advances toward subject mastery through personal inquiry and curriculum building

The Principle Approach: Methodology

  • The American Christian Education’s Principle Approach is unique because it:
    • Embraces the historical application of biblical logic in America
    • Establishes the Truths of God’s Word as the foundation for all subjects
    • Restore the 4 R’s (Research, Reason, Relate, and Record) to teaching and learning in a variety of methods, such as the Word Study
    • Shows a unity of concepts with a range of subjects at all grade levels, exhibiting a holistic approach.
    • Establishes the foundations of knowledge in kindergarten by classifying subjects based on principles
  • Three-ring binders are used in the Notebook Method to create a permanent written record of learning
  • Christian self-government, the Law, and the Gospel are taught, and classroom constitutions are in effect
  • In testing, essay questions that demand critical thinking and reasoning are prioritized over true-false, matching, and multiple choice questions
  • Every child’s heart and learning style are touched by personalized teaching