Francis Schaeffer Study Center

The core curriculum of the Schaeffer Study Center is a set of integrated humanities courses which cover western civilization chronologically from the ancient world to modern times.

We believe that a chronological approach is the best way to organize the study of western civilization. Accordingly, our recommended course of study is:

9th Grade – The Ancient World
10th Grade – Middle Ages thru Reformation
11th Grade – The Early Modern World
12th Grade – Modern Times
For each year, we recommend that the student take a set of four core courses: one hour each on History, Literature, Art, & Bible. These four courses, taken together with a small group of 6-12 classmates, will provide an integrated cultural overview as well as an introduction to a consistent Christian worldview.

We believe it to be important to include an opportunity for students to take courses in the practical and creative arts. As Dr. Schaeffer wrote:

"The arts and the sciences do have a place in the Christian life -- they are not peripheral. For a Christian, redeemed by the work of Christ and living within the norms of Scripture and under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Lordship of Christ should include an interest in the arts. A Christian should use these arts to the glory of God -- not just as tracts, but as things of beauty to the praise of God. And art work can be a doxology in itself."

- from Art and the Bible

Our science courses will also be taught from an explicitly Christian worldview. The biology course will be explicitly creationist, but the evidence both for and against the theory of evolution will also be covered.

While we believe firmly that a well-rounded high school education should include both the study of mathematics and a foreign language, our experience has been that this is difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish with a 1-day a week tutorial framework.