Core Knowledge

The Core Knowledge Sequence is based upon E.D. Hirsch’s idea of cultural literacy, which makes it the ideal curriculum for a classical school. The Core Knowledge Sequence provides a grade-by-grade sequence of specific topics to be taught in grades K-8. It will provide the basic curricular framework for history, geography, literature, visual arts, music, and science at Orange County Classical Academy.

With cultural literacy as the guiding principle, the Core Knowledge sequence leads students through a comprehensive and grade-level-appropriate view of science, literature, art, music, and history. Topics which are especially important for cultural literacy are repeated in a spiraling fashion—so that younger students build a firm but broad foundation in these topics while older students are able to achieve depth. The sequence provides a necessary order across grades and between schools and families, such that teachers can base their lessons upon what students have learned and will learn, and parents can anticipate what their students will learn in each grade.

Although the rhetoric surrounding a classical school often emphasizes the humanities, the sciences are no less important than the humanistic disciplines and will not play a secondary role at Orange County Classical Academy. The Core Knowledge science program focuses on thematically linked science topics and biographies of great scientists.

The order of the Core Knowledge program allows for regular repetition of the most important topics, such that students are well-versed in the fundamentals by the time they reach high school.