Elementary school is where students learn thoroughly the basic ideas, theories, vocabulary, and facts of the disciplines that comprise the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. An important goal of VASA is to develop literacy and academic curiosity in students, enabling them to become self motivated, competent, and lifelong learners. During these years, it is imperative that students practice habits that characterize educated people in any century: to think logically, read critically, write and speak clearly, solve problems creatively, organize time effectively, and make choices wisely. An important goal of the school will be to help students develop habits that will enable them to learn all their lives and to face unforeseen challenges.
The 21st century belongs to those who have a grounding in the academic disciplines and the appropriate use of technology, for they will be in a position to understand and to lead change. Students have at their fingertips more technology, more information, and more choices about almost everything than ever before. Their education must provide a context for that information, including the important skill of knowing how to separate the important from the non important. For the past 2,500 years, classical studies have provided the educational framework that has been partly responsible for the amazing progress of western civilization. Classical studies have also helped generations of students to become thoughtful, engaged, and responsible citizens. In the last few years, the classical tradition of a liberal education has been almost completely abandoned, replaced by a narrow focus on “teaching to the test.”
