School curriculum was created locally by Christian parents and experts

Janet Mabie
Special to Spur Ottawa

St. Timothy’s Classical Academy will be holding its first-ever gala and silent auction. The November 10 event will showcase high-level local talent and a buffet dinner, while supporting the school’s programs and a future expansion plan.

“We are presenting a variety of performances for our guests to enjoy; National Art Centre violinists, classically trained singers, drama, and dancing. We are just pulling together all the talent from our wider community to create a really fun evening,” Rebecca Visser, development coordinator at St. Timothy’s and a member of one of the founding families.

St. Timothy’s Classical Academy, located on Pinecrest Road, just off the Queensway, is an exceptional school that offers children classical skills, character building, and the support of a close-knit community. Launched in 2004, it is one of the first classical schools in Canada with an inter-denominational inception. This year 73 children are registered, ranging from Senior Kindergarten to Grade 8.

“We have an excellent curriculum.” Photos courtesy of St. Timothy’s Classical Academy.

Inspired by the philosophy of Augustine College, and encouraged by the success of classical Christian education in the United States, St. Timothy’s has created its own curriculum.

“We needed to be Christian and classical, have Canadian content and also make sure we were meeting and exceeding Ontario ministry standards. Our staff have worked hard, with the input of some of our parents who are experts in various fields. We have an excellent curriculum now,” explains Visser.

St. Timothy’s classical education follows the ancient trivium, which teaches based on three developmental stages: the grammar stage (Kindergarten to grade 5), the logic stage (Grade 6 to 7) and the rhetoric stage (high school). Children are introduced to the great writers, artists, poets, and scientists of the past.

“We recognize that what has gone on in the past is of value and we want to hold on to that while we continue to educate our children with the things of today,” says Visser.

“Their ultimate goal is to point children to Christ and the truth, beauty, and goodness which we believe comes from Him.” Photos courtesy of St. Timothy’s Classical Academy.

Victoria Miles and her husband, Stuart, currently have three children attending St. Timothy’s. Recognizing the difficulty of choosing the right school, they say they focused on three things.

“Would the curriculum challenge and stretch their minds, while at the same time growing their imagination? Would the environment—from teachers to classroom composition—offer them direct, hands-on, and focused attention? Would the school be a place filled with the knowledge and love of God and faithfully teach from the Bible, on a daily basis?”

Miles says St. Timothy’s meets all of their criteria, and more. She describes dinner-time conversations filled with amazing questions about the natural world, songs and hymns sung in several languages, and poetry recitations conveying the beauty of creation.

“What will all of this become in these three small lives? We trust that by faith, God will take the seeds planted at an early age at St. Timothy’s, and produce the fruit of love for others, kindness, peace, gentleness, and joy in all things, for His glory,” says Miles.

“What will all of this become in these three small lives?” Photos courtesy of St. Timothy’s Classical Academy.

Cassandra Matta, whose child attends St. Timothy’s, shares, “We were excited to find a school that valued both academic rigour and hands-on discovery of God’s beautiful natural world. After her second day of school our daughter came home from SK and gave us a quiz where we needed to provide to her the definition of three words; one of those words was ‘proboscis.’ We couldn’t have felt better about the choice we made for her education!”

Visser says teachers of St. Timothy’s are gifted people who have a heart for the children.

“They have a real appreciation and understanding of the classical teaching method, valuing really good children’s literature, and understanding how children need to be taught the basics. Their ultimate goal is to point children to Christ and the truth, beauty, and goodness which we believe comes from Him.”

The school hopes their November 10 gala will help them make more connections among Ottawa Christians and enhance their ability to offer classical Christian education.