Smyrna school blends classical courses with computers

What does the word “classical” bring to mind? Chances are it’s not the image of third graders learning Latin.

But at the Covenant Christian School in Smyrna, education with a distinctively classical approach has been the focus for 44 years.

“We call it the Covenant difference,” said Headmaster Bob Barber, now in his third year at the helm of the 160-student school. “Our first priority is making disciples; we believe Jesus gave us one job to do, and our goal is to have students who can do it with eloquence and wisdom.”

That foundation is best served by a classic curriculum, Barber explained.

“When we think of something ‘classical,’ be it music, literature or architecture, we think of something that’s not easily conquered by culture or changed by fads. So our instruction is based on grammar, logic and rhetoric,” he said.

Students start that education as 4-year-old kindergartners and can continue through eighth grade. And yes, third graders take Latin just as they’re also learning the rudiments of English grammar.

“We found teaching Latin at the that level reinforces the language and grammar rules of English,” said Barber.

And as of last year, students have a new element in their classical classes that may seem a bit juxtaposed to the core curriculum: computer science. The idea to incorporate information about how computers work came from Amos Johnson, who holds a Ph.D. from Georgia Tech, teaches computer science at Morehouse College and has two daughters enrolled at Covenant.

“I see a lot of kids coming into Morehouse who still don’t have computer science knowledge, and even though high schools are now starting to bring it into the curriculum, it’s spotty,” said Johnson. “I’ve always thought it should happen earlier than that. We start teaching people to read and write in elementary school, and coding is like learning to read and write with a computer. Getting started earlier means we can have kids coming out of eighth grade knowing the fundamentals.”

Kids are already familiar with computers, so why not teach them about what makes them tick, Johnson said.

“The software they’re learning is the fundamental language that powers every game and app they use; it’s not magic,” he said. “Learning how to code also teaches you to problem solve: In order to put code together, you have to figure out sequences and then write the code. Even if these students don’t go into computer science as a career, they’ll be great problem solvers.”

Barber admitted he had doubts. “Honestly, classical educators despise computers. We do have notebooks for our seventh and eighth graders to use for projects, but time spent in front of them takes away from critical thinking.”

Johnson won over the headmaster by pointing out that music and art are not restricted to middle school classes.

“I was very conflicted at first, but he really hooked me,” said Barber. “He and another parent who is a professor at Kennesaw State and another who works for a software company got together and came up with a curriculum and a design for a science lab.

Last year, we started teaching the science of computers in first grade. This year, we’ve added a course for upper school students around computer security, the right and wrong ways to use them, and how to program them. And everyone has access to a PC. And it’s been great.”

Visitors are welcome to learn more about all of Covenant’s programs during an open house Thursday, starting at 7 p.m.

Information: ccssmyrna.org.

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Each week we look at programs, projects and successful endeavors at area schools, from pre-K to grad school. To suggest a story, contact H.M. Cauley at hm_cauley@yahoo.com or 770-744-3042.