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High School at The Master's Study

Senior Dialectic & Rhetoric Schools

The high school program serves two communities of students:  the Senior Dialectic School, consisting of traditional 9th graders and the Rhetoric school, consisting of 10th, 11th & 12th grade students.   Meeting twice weekly, this school intends to direct the high school student through independent and thought provoking high school work.  Because students at the high school level should be working toward more independent work, the relationship between the student, parent/teacher and teacher/tutor relies heavily on the student and TMS teacher/tutor relationship.  This move is part of the natural student maturation process.  

During the high school years, TMS recognizes the need for flexibility while also seeing the challenges of a dissolved community should traditional elements of classical education be studied in an ala carte form rather than together.  This is especially true of those elements associated with the Humane Letters.  Because of this struggle, TMS has designed a modified university model for high school studies.  In essence, TMS high school student body enrolls in a Humanities Core then has the choice of opting in or out of other more traditional high school electives.  

 The TMS High School Humanities Core

• History - History, church history, elements of the fine arts as they impact history, government (when relevant) and geography.  High school credits for each subset of history studies vary form year to year.
    
  
• Literature and Composition - Literature titles, driven by the historical period of study, are critically analyzed an introductory level.  Students continue to develop writing skills through the Progymnasmata.
  
  
• Speech - Senior dialectic students polish the art of public speaking and principles of making an argument in verbal form.  The class includes on-line debates with classmates as well as public performances twice annually.  This is the final step of speech preparation before moving toward true Rhetoric.
  
  
• Rhetoric - In the tradition of the ancient Greeks, our students work to learn the art of making an argument, engaging in Socratic discussion, and the ability to argue and defend a point - regardless of their personal opinion on the matter at hand.  This piece of the TMS Core Studies culminates with the development, presentation and defense of a senior thesis.

• Logic with World View - Why study the two together?  Because they belong together!  As students study principles of logic, application of the ideas will be made to real world situations and true to life topics which can present a challenge to the Christian community.

TMS High School Electives

Electives offered to high school students are presented twice weekly in the afternoons.  These are offered on a student needs basis.  Although a scope and sequence outlines the ideal placement of these electives,  availability is determined by student body needs and desires.  Student wishing to enroll in TMS electives must enroll in the TMS High School Humanities Core.  

For a better understanding of the student, parent/teacher and TMS teacher/tutor relationship in the high school, please review the Rhetoric School Parent and Student Expectations document.  For more information, view the High School FAQ brochure or contact TMS for further details.