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1. The centrality of the Western tradition in the study of history, literature, math, science, philosophy, and fine arts.

 

2. A rich and recurring examination of the American literary, moral, philosophical, political, and historical traditions.

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3. The use of explicit phonics instruction leading to reading fluency, and the use of explicit grammar instruction leading to English language mastery.

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4. The teaching of Latin.

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5. The acknowledgment of objective standards of correctness, logic, beauty, weightiness, and truth intrinsic to the liberal arts.

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6. A school culture demanding moral virtue, decorum, respect, discipline, and studiousness among students and faculty.

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7. A curriculum which is content-rich, balanced, and strong across the core disciplines of literature, history, math, and

science.

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8. A faculty of well-educated and articulate teachers who convey real knowledge using traditional teaching methods rather than “student-centered learning” methods.

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9. A school which uses technology effectively but without diminishing the faculty leadership which is crucial to academic achievement; and

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10. A school with a plan to serve grades K through 12, although the grades at school opening may be scaled back if reasonable.