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Abeka K-4 through 4th grades

Philosophy of Education
The Abeka educational approach is founded on biblical principles and the concepts of traditional education. The Bible provides insight into educational matters including human nature, knowledge, authority, orderliness, and philosophy. Abeka firmly acknowledges that a Christian program of study must look to the Bible to inform the use of methods and materials in the classroom. Accordingly, teacher resources, student texts, assessments, and support materials have been designed to work together within this philosophical framework.

Early American educators employed methods that have been proven to work and that have become the tradition of excellence in education. Traditional educators understood the nature of the child and most often looked to the Bible as the source of truth. The resulting pedagogy included an emphasis on instruction and review, adherence to a well-planned curriculum, direction and instruction by an authoritative teacher, a well-structured learning environment, individual accountability, and the inclusion of character training. Abeka textbooks and materials incorporate the same proven traditional approach to teaching and learning.

This is different from what has crept into much of American education since the middle of the last century. The philosophy has been promoted as an innovative approach to teaching and learning called progressive education. Based upon naturalistic and relativistic thinking, most of the popular education ideas today are built upon progressive notions with a focus on humanistic views of a child’s nature. The resulting paradigm is characterized by an emphasis on experience, attention to student needs and desires, facilitation by teachers, a natural (permissive) environment, collaborative learning, and the clarification of values emphasizing tolerance.

While progressive methods constantly change as new theories become popular, Abeka has continued to implement traditional methodology in materials. These materials are designed to reflect sensible theory firmly anchored to practicality. This traditional approach to Christian education keeps learning lively, interesting, and memorable. Each grade level is developed with a clear understanding that there are absolutes—unchanging truths—in subject areas. Academic content is introduced in a sequential manner to allow for acquisition of factual knowledge as a necessary basis for higher-level learning and critical thinking. Accordingly, content in the early years concentrates on formative learning and developing strong academic skills, while the upper grade content solidifies more advanced learning for a college preparatory program of study. In addition to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with academic growth, the materials are so designed that students can use their abilities for the glory of God while conforming their character and conduct to the standards of God’s Word.

ACE 1st through 12th grades

Academic achievement is one of the greatest strengths of A.C.E. School of Tomorrow®. Graduates from the A.C.E. program are attending more than 1,400 colleges and universities globally with outstanding performance.

Conventional educational programs take the student through a spiral of material while introducing him to new skills in sequence. Since students are grouped chronologically, they are lock stepped and receive the same material at the same time. However, students do not necessarily all have the same level of maturity as others of their chronological age, and their natural learning rates are not lock stepped with other students. The above-average student may master the skill the first time he is exposed to it, the average student may pick up part of it, and the below-average student will often grasp only a minimum amount or fail to understand it entirely. As the spiral continues, some students stay out in front while others are left behind for a season (or for good).

The A.C.E. program is designed around a new format: that of building skill upon skill. The scope and sequence ignores the concept of grade level and moves with continuous progress beginning with the first skill to be mastered. Depending on their ability and motivation levels, students may move ahead rapidly or take as long as necessary, but each student masters the material.

Each student learns essential academics and explores truths about God and His world without being pressured to keep up with a group.

As the student moves upward, level after level, and moves into new concepts, he is far better prepared to learn because he has mastered the skill on the previous level. He does not advance until he has mastered each concept. He is not lock stepped with his classmates but is learning individually and completely before advancing. A.C.E. implements a unique and effective system.

Why the A.C.E. Program Works
The A.C.E. program helps churches and parents accomplish The Forgotten Biblical Mandate given to us by God in the Holy Scriptures. A.C.E.'s self-instructional curriculum provides all the basic academic disciplines and instills Godly character into the lives of students. The reasons why the A.C.E. program works can be summarized in these seven key foundational concepts:

Integration of Biblical Principles (Scripture memory, wisdom principles)
Godly Character Training (A.C.E. characters, 90 character traits of Christ)
Mastery-Based Learning
Built-In Reinforced System of Learning
Individualized Learning
Development of Critical Thinking Skills
Socialization
Used worldwide and proven to be effective now for over 50 years, it is understandable why A.C.E. is known as THE learning tool for today—and the future!