Letter from Laura Berquist - Founder & Director
Dear Home Schooling Friend,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding Mother of Divine Grace School.
Tested in Real Home Schooling Families
Mother of Divine Grace School offers a classical Catholic curriculum for all twelve grades. This is a curriculum that I have developed over the last eighteen years, as I homeschooled my own family of six. (In other words - it has had a test run!) While most of the text recommendations are Catholic, not everything used is Catholic in origin (in large measure because many good Catholic texts are out of print), but all recommendations are compatible with the Faith.
Teaches the Child How to Think
My curriculum was developed by the 'trial and error' method, but the result parallels the suggestions of Dorothy Sayers in her essay "The Lost Tools of Learning". The fundamental goal of such a curriculum is to teach children how to think. We want them to learn the art of learning. If they know how to learn they will be equipped for life. Whether or not they learn all the subjects possible, they will be able to learn any subject when it becomes necessary or desirable.
Follows the Child's Natural Stages of Learning
This goal is best achieved by following the child's own natural stages of learning, which correspond to the subjects of the classical Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Two of these subjects are not subjects at all; they are methods of dealing with subjects. In fact, the whole of the Trivium is intended to teach the tools of learning; methods of thinking, arguing, and expressing one's conclusions that will be applied to subjects. Now there must be subjects for these methods to be practiced upon. One cannot learn grammar without learning a language, or learn to argue and orate without arguing and orating about something. But the subjects are of secondary importance until the tools of learning have been refined. When deciding which grade level, or what stage, is appropriate for your child, keep in mind that each child is different. We offer testing to help you determine your student's grade level. Also our flexibility makes it easy, for example, to school a 4th and 5th grader together.
Supports the Spiritual Formation of the Child
What is not included in this curriculum is spiritual practice. Morning and night prayers, celebrations of the liturgical year, daily Rosary and Mass are not part of the academic curriculum, but they are essential to the life of virtue and the formation of a Catholic identity. Homeschooling allows you the opportunity to practice your Faith more fully.
Offers the Alternative of Forming Your Own Program
There are other good Catholic programs available. What we offer here is an alternative for homeschooling families who want to use classical Catholic curriculum with a little help, practical tips based on a fairly extensive experience homeschooling, and help with the evaluation and/or grading of their children's work.
Based on the Curriculum Outlined in DYOCC
I would like to take this opportunity to answer a few questions that we are sometimes asked about our program. We are asked if we have a list of items or a catalog that would benefit homeschooling families. You will see in this brochure that our program is based primarily upon the curriculum suggestions in my book, Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum. This book contains lists of curricula that have been field-tested in my house over the years, and in the houses of many friends. It also includes literature suggestions and a number of study guides.
Offers Consultations that Personalize the Curriculum
I am often asked how Mother of Divine Grace School differs from the recommendations in my book. The home schooling program only differs from the curriculum suggestions in my book the way any individually tailored program will differ from a generic one. The suggestions in my book are intended to reflect the usual courses and approach to those courses that would be right for most children of a certain age. Of course, any given child may vary from that norm. In consultations our trained educators help families tailor my suggestions for classes to the particular strengths and weaknesses of their particular children. Additionally, we are available to answer questions for member families on a regular basis.
Provides Organizational Techniques
We help member families with some organizational techniques as well as curriculum suggestions. Since my six children have been home schooled, and I have helped out some other families by homeschooling their children, I have had to learn how to coordinate teaching many children at different levels and still: a) stay sane, b) get the laundry done! One thing I learned was to focus on basic skills with young children rather than extra subjects until they are thoroughly learned and can be applied. Then the children are capable of independent learning. They can do quite well with minimal assistance in many areas, and actual one on one teaching concentrated in a few more difficult areas. This gives them the best of both worlds, learning habits that encourage independent thinking, and tutoring where it is really beneficial.
Maintains Student Records
Our office is a legal and accredited private school, and we keep records and supply transcripts, as would any private school. In terms of office work, our program parallels the other Catholic full service programs. We offer student and teacher I.D. cards, diplomas, transcripts, report cards, elective credits, and work permits. We can also supply families who need them with scope and sequences. The enrollment fee covers this cost.
Offers Additional Support for Families
There are syllabi available for most of the courses I recommend. We do grade pre-determined assignments for all students enrolled in our program. The level of grading assistance depends on the program chosen.
Uses Emmanuel Books as a Supplier
People ask if we carry the books that we recommend. The answer is no, but we do have a supplier. This company carries the books that we recommend. Emmanuel Books is our supplier.
We do not send our clients "school in a box", because we don't think that one curriculum for each grade will be suitable for all children in that grade, or even for most. What we do is help families choose the curriculum that is appropriate for their children, and help them implement that curriculum in a way appropriate to their family.
God bless you and your family in the years ahead.
Sincerely in Christ,
Laura Berquist
Founder & Director of Mother of Divine Grace School