COURSE CATALOG

Legacy Christian School aims to provide the necessary courses for our students to progress through their educational career and ultimately earn a Foundation High School Diploma with an Endorsement and Distinguished Level of Achievement based on the requirements established by the State of Texas. Further, Legacy’s academic course offerings promote the classic, historic, Christian emphasis and are designed to consummate the cultivation of self-directed learners. Biblical principles at the heart of every subject equip our students with a Biblical world and life view which they are able to articulate and defend.

BIBLE/WORLDVIEW

Bible:  This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. A study of the 66 books of the Bible are presented, along with an in-depth study of the school year's biblical theme.  Along with an overview of each book of the Bible, students will gain an understanding of the Bible's message of our salvation through Jesus's death and resurrection.

Introduction to Biblical Worldview: This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. It presents Christian answers to the “big questions” about God, the universe, people, truth, and right and wrong through a biblical perspective. The Bible survey component focuses on the book of Acts. Key topics covered include:

• Creation and the Fall
• Covenants
• Monotheism
• Omnipotence, omnipresence, and omniscience
• Revelation, theism, truth, and worldview

Biblical Worldview I: This year-long course is designed for 9th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above. This course offers a comprehensive Christian approach toward the disciplines of theology, philosophy, ethics, psychology, sociology, and biology. It will help students understand how they can live out their Christian worldview in a post-Christian culture. Students will learn to apply biblical principles to all aspects of their lives as they learn what it means to think, make decisions, and act in ways that glorify God and align to His Word. The Bible survey component examines the remaining Epistles not yet covered in previous courses and Revelation.

Biblical Worldview II: This year-long course is designed for 10th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 and above. This course is an introduction to the core beliefs of Christianity and the most common objections to the faith. It teaches the basics of the Christian faith and shows students how to defend and promote the biblical worldview against a myriad of detractors. It will equip students to engage their culture and defend their faith with sound biblical theology and powerful apologetics. Methods used in this course invite students to ask tough questions and assist teachers in creating an open environment where dialogue and discussion lead to informed discipleship. By the end of the course, students will have a solid grasp of the essentials of a Christian worldview and will be well equipped to respond to the most common objections to the faith.

Biblical Worldview III: This year-long course is designed for 11th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 and above. This course is a survey of six dominant worldviews of our age with specific focus given to 10 key academic disciplines. It teaches students how to identify and counter the bad ideas so many young adults have unwittingly adopted. Methods used in this course invite students to ask tough questions and assists teachers in creating an open environment where dialogue and discussion lead to informed discipleship. By the end of the course, students will recognize the patterns of ideas and see how Christian thought stands out among all the competing voices.

Biblical Worldview IV: This 2-semester course is designed for 12th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 and above. This course is a survey of social engagement and outlines the key social issues of our time. It shows students how to connect their biblical worldview and transform our post-Christian culture. Methods used in this course invite students to ask tough questions and assists teachers in creating an open environment where dialogue and discussion lead to informed discipleship. By the end of the course, students will understand the various approaches that Christians have used in the past to engage culture and will have a clear path forward to begin making a difference in their communities. As students master the big ideas behind worldviews, they will be less likely to be taken captive by false philosophies and more likely to influence their generation for Christ.

ENGLISH & LANGUAGE ARTS

Philosophy for the English Literature and Composition Program

Legacy’s vision for the Literature and Composition program is for students to learn to think Biblically using the 3 D’s: Discussion, Discernment and Delivery.

• Learning the art of rich discussion of the great classics launched both in the classroom and at home as a part of discipleship.
• Teaching students to discern truth from falsehood, good and evil, ultimately preparing them to be light bearers.
•  Guiding students to deliver a virtuous message with excellence in both the written and spoken word.

Our history and literature courses will be strategically integrated with story and time period. We believe this gives the students the best and most thorough way to learn a certain era, while also giving more opportunities for families to dive deeper into discussion as novels and events overlap.

Introduction to Literature Genres: This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students to engage in conversation as they are exposed to a variety of literature genres of drama, poetry, and historical novels in classic works. Literature will be intentionally coordinated with the history time period. The 7th grade composition portion begins the student’s journey into delivering the eloquent message. By methodically teaching the students to expand their level of writing and critical thinking, they will be able to learn the art of producing quality writing (for example, in the form of persuasive essay).

Introduction to American Literature: This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students to absorb and think critically about the times of our Founding Fathers and early America. Students will be led in discussion surrounding the literature and given opportunity in assignments to share their understanding of the literature in the era of shaping our country. The 8th grade composition portion will be a continuation of composition, expanding upon building biblically-based, sound argument and invention of story.

English I: This year-long course is designed for 9th grade students to understand and discuss the great classics corresponding with the history period. Students will further enjoy God’s rich gift of communication, while experiencing a deeper understanding about the role of the English language in history. The 9th grade composition component will be a continuation of maturing writing skills — expanding into assignments such as the judicial essay. Students will sharpen the skill of formulating their ideas, preparing the student for continued integration of rhetoric. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

English II: This year-long course is designed for 10th grade students to study a variety of literature from Reformation, Puritan Age, and classics from the 18th century to present. Particular consideration on projects and presentations will be given to the time period overlapping with the history focus on Civil War to present. Students will engage in deeper writing and continue to form ideas, content, voice and fluency using the writing curriculum, continuing to master the composition and rhetorical skill set. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

English III: This year-long course is designed for 11th grade students to further unearth and analyze the gems in American Literature. Students will have the chance to revisit this time period while engaging in deeper, biblical discussion surrounding the literature of the great heroes of our country while extrapolating their irreplaceable character virtues. Rhetoric skill will continue to be mastered and highlighted at this point of the academic journey, as students continue on the path of virtuous and excellent expression. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

English IV: This year-long course is designed for 12th grade students to finish well and excellently in their literature reasoning and rhetoric journey with the goal of living as eloquent communicators for Christ. Students’ study will include a second portion of American literature and the Great American Documents—classic texts for rhetoric discussion, analysis and presentation preparation. Students learn to compose different styles of speeches, learn the skills of effective oration, and practice giving speeches to the audience of the Legacy student body. A senior thesis will be required that engages students in the process of applying their Biblical worldview through research and writing. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

HISTORY

Philosophy Statement for History Courses:

History is Christ, His Story! History is the record of God’s relationship to man from creation onward. It tells us the reasons we are here and God’s divine purpose for us as individuals and as nations.

Providence (God’s Sovereign Hand) is the key to understanding history. Providential history begins with the individual and his response to Christ.
Because God’s Providential Hand governs all events, the study of history at Legacy will provide a Biblical Christian worldview of universal history by teaching that the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe and the Author of history unfolds His plan and purposes through individuals and nations for Christ, His Story.
Our history and literature courses will be strategically integrated with story and time period. We believe this gives the students the best and most thorough way to learn a certain era, while also giving more opportunities for families to dive deeper into discussion as novels and events overlap.

Introduction to World History & Geography: This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. This course is a survey of Reformation to Present and teaches history as the record of God’s relationship to man throughout time. God is the sovereign ruler and interacts providentially in the lives of men and nations. History and literature in this course will be intentionally integrated with one another. Students will study the rise and fall of nations, their national character and disposition, their culture and form of government, and the virtues and vices of those who governed. They will chart the geographical march of history through the study of main events, persons, writings, and establishments illustrating how men are governed and how God uses individual character to forward history. Students will effectively articulate ideas and concepts through essays, oration, class discussions, and oral presentations.

Introduction to American History & Geography: This year-long course is designed for 7th and 8th grade students. The course exists to provide students with a method of looking at history from a distinctively Christian perspective. This providential view of history presents a look at the history of the United States, by seeing how this nation has been formed and shaped by the hand of God. The history of the United States will be examined and assessed from colonization into the 20th century, recognizing that throughout this history God is fully sovereign and always in control. History and literature in this course will be intentionally integrated with one another. Students will effectively articulate ideas and concepts through essays, oration, class discussions, and oral presentations.

World History: This year-long course is designed for 9th and 10th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above. The course will help firmly established students in sound historic scholarship through the cultivation of an understanding of God’s universal truths, as well as the nature and impact of worldviews. History and literature in this course will be intentionally integrated with one another. Students will be provided the foundation for understanding and practicing a unified and integrated approach to life as it relates to the spiritual, intellectual, political, economic, legal educational and cultural developments of world civilization from Creation to the Modern Era. Students will be guided to reason Biblically from presuppositions and foundational principles so that they recognize the nature and consequences of ideas, as well as understand history and all of life from a Biblical Christian perspective. Students will effectively articulate ideas and concepts through essays, oration, class discussions, and oral presentations.

World Geography: This year-long course designed for 9th and 10th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above. Students will be firmly established in sound historic scholarship through the cultivation of an understanding of God’s universal truths, as well as the nature and impact of worldviews. Students will be provided the foundation for understanding and practicing a unified and integrated approach to life as it relates to physical, political and human geography.  Students will effectively articulate ideas and concepts through maps, projects, essays, oration, class discussions, and oral presentations.

American History – Civil War to Current: This year-long course is designed for 11th and 12th grade students. A High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above. This course will provide students with an understanding of God’s direction and character in the growth of our nation learning to analyze God’s relationship to the events of history. They will understand their place in God’s plan and their role as instruments of His plan. They will understand the relationship of all nations to God. This course is a survey of United States History that begins with the Civil War to the present. The course focuses on the periods of discovery, colonization, revolution, and nation building, during the first semester. In the second semester the course contains the abuses and political realities after the war, the growth of industrialization, America’s role in the global economy during the Great Depression, the impact of America’s 20th and 21st Century wars and America’s position in the modern world as the one remaining “SuperPower.” Material presented includes a wide variety of topics encompassing spiritual, cultural, intellectual, military, and political history. Students will develop an understanding of successive worldviews in American Civilization and their societal impact as well as expressing knowledge of those significant persons, events, movements, and societal developments from the Reformation to the Present. History and literature in this course will be intentionally integrated with one another. Students will effectively articulate ideas and concepts through essays, oration, class discussions, and oral presentations.

American Government and Economics: Each of these 1-semester courses is designed for 11th and 12th grade students. A High School Diploma 0.5 credit per course is awarded upon completion with averages of 70 or above. Government is designed to teach students the source, origin, and purpose of government and economics and to reclaim and forward the principles of our American heritage of Christian self- and civil government. The courses are developed to form a biblical worldview in each student by teaching how to think and reason from truth through leading ideas and Christian principles of government and economics. This will equip them to recognize the nature and consequences of ideas, as well as to understand government and economics from a biblical Christian perspective. Students will examine the three branches of the federal government in history, as well as in current practice. An examination of the Constitution of the United States, with the rights, liberties, and requirements contained within it, will also be embarked upon as the primary source for looking at our government and how it has changed and developed over the history of this nation and how it interacts with our faith and life. Dave Ramsey’s “Foundations in Personal Finance” curriculum teaches how to rightfully manage monetary resources for personal budgets as well as for charitable giving. Students are encouraged to fulfill Christian tenets such as good stewardship and sharing with others who are in need. History and literature in this course will be intentionally integrated with one another. Students will be encouraged and challenged to be true reforming powers and leaders by mastering and implementing Christian principles related to government and economics in their own lives and in their nation.

MATHEMATICS

Philosophy Statement for Math Courses:

Natural systems, created by God, are modeled with mathematics. God reveals His wisdom through this orderly aspect of the physical world. Therefore, learners should progress through their knowledge of mathematics so that they can build on their understanding of God’s creation and be confident in their faith in God’s Word.

Pre-Algebra: This year-long course provides a stronger foundation for students needing more practice with fractions, decimals, percent, and geometry. Pre-Algebra also introduces the concepts of integers, solving for an unknown, and working with powers.

Algebra I: This year-long course is designed to follow a study of Pre-Algebra. Topics covered include equations, integers, powers, roots, graphing functions, systems of equations, and inequalities. Eighth-grade students may take this course for High School Diploma credit. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Geometry: This year-long course is designed to follow a study of Algebra I. Topics covered include the study of 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional objects, area, perimeter, volume, proportions, coordinate geometry, and an introduction to trigonometry. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Algebra II: This year-long course is designed to follow a study of Geometry or Algebra I. Topics such as solving systems of equations, radical expressions, complex numbers, polynomials, inequalities, functions, logarithms, statistics, and probability are covered. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Pre-Calculus: This year-long course is designed to follow a study of Algebra II and Geometry. Topics covered include polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, radial, and trigonometric functions. Students will also learn matrices, statistics, and analytic geometry. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Calculus: This year-long course is designed to follow a study of Pre-Calculus. Topics covered include limits and continuity, derivatives, definite and indefinite integrals, exponential and logarithmic functions and their derivatives, and applications to physics and economics. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

SCIENCE

General Science: This year-long course for 7th grade students explores broad topics such as the scientific method, designing experiments, simple machines, geology, archaeology, biology, and more, with a large focus on Earth Science (astronomy, meteorology, oceanography, earth study, geology, paleontology, and environmental science). Hands-on experiments give learners practical experience as they discover the principles behind science and learn how to record and report data. Students will learn to see God's hand in all of life as they learn about the world He made; they will also read testimonies from modern-day scientists who interpret data through a Christian worldview. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills.

Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC): This year-long course is a study of basic physical and chemical phenomena for 8th-9th grade students who have taken or are currently enrolled in Algebra I. Biblical integration guides learners to appreciate the order of the physical world as designed by God. The nature of truth, theories, facts, hypotheses, and the nature of scientific knowledge is also discussed during this course. Hands-on activities in class support the concepts presented. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Biology: This year-long course for 9th and10th grade students is a conceptual study of life systems, classification of life, and the scientific method. Life is created by God with purpose and living things act with purpose. Learners are guided to address theories such as evolution as models that account for and explain data we have about the natural world. There is no conflict between studying the world God made and believing in the One who made it. Hands-on activities in class support the concepts presented. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Chemistry: This year-long course is a study of the concepts of matter and the interactions between substances. This course utilizes math to solve problems as well as provides hands-on laboratories to enhance learning. This class is designed for 9th and 10th grade students who have successfully completed Algebra I. God created an orderly universe which can be modeled through math and understood through the knowledge of atoms. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Physics: This year-long course is a study of the concepts of matter and energy and the changes they undergo. This course utilizes math to solve problems as well as provides hands-on laboratories to enhance learning. This class is designed for 11th and 12th grade students who have successfully completed Algebra I and either Algebra II or Geometry. God created an orderly universe which can be modeled through math and understood through the knowledge of matter and energy. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Earth and Space Science: This year-long course studies the physical evidences available to support origin theories. This class is designed for 11th-12th grade students who have successfully completed Algebra I and either Algebra II or Geometry. We have been given a logical mind to discern the evidence of God as our Creator and the evidence of the Global Flood.  A study of the ancient names of stars and constellations is also evidence of man's relationship with God since creation. Laboratory exercises and hands-on activities enrich the student’s experience. Students will complete a STEAM project in the Spring semester which applies their creativity and scientific skills. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

SPANISH:

Spanish I: This year-long class is designed for 8th-9th grade students. Spanish I introduces the students to the distinctiveness of the Spanish language, the diversity of the Hispanic cultures and God’s purposes for the Spanish-speaking nations. The students begin to develop the four language skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in real-life contexts. Communication skills are enhanced by conversations with native Spanish speakers as students cultivate the richness of the spoken language. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

Spanish II: This class is designed for 9th-10th grade students who have completed Spanish I. All aspects of grammar and vocabulary taught in Spanish I are reinforced and expanded upon in the second year. Application of grammar rules and learned vocabulary is accomplished by increased emphasis on conversation through oral exchange about real-life contexts. Students begin to express their own ideas through writing while increasing their understanding of Hispanic culture from a Biblical worldview. Students are exposed to a variety of reading strategies that increase their level of mastery and comprehension.

Spanish III:  This year-long course is designed for 10th-11th grade students who have completed Spanish I and II. Building upon the first two levels of Spanish, this course emphasizes greater fluency in reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students increase their vocabulary and master basic grammatical structures so that writing becomes more proficient and articulate. Creativity in expression is emphasized through journaling thoughts and prayers in Spanish. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.

FINE ARTS

Art: This year-long course is designed for 9th-12th grades with an intermediate skill level. The focus is on the 7 elements of art, and covers media such as ochre, drawing, clay, acrylic paint and canvas. High School Diploma credit is awarded upon completion with an average of 70 or above.