Latin

Basing itself on the results of several years of grammar study and vocabulary building in Lower and Middle School, the Latin program in the High School provides students with the opportunity to begin using the language in speech, the reading of primary sources, and composition, in addition to learning idiomatic expressions and grammatical irregularities. In depth knowledge of the Latin language is the key to unlocking and granting access to the realms of history, science, philosophy, theology, grammar, literature, European languages, the arts, etc., which in turn ought to provide a firm foundation for one’s educational experience as a whole here and beyond.

Courses and Central Texts

Latin I

Students will learn Latin by way of the natural method, using Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina per se Illustrata. The textbook is written entirely in Latin, which enables the student to approach the language on its own terms, rather than artificially reconstructing it through one’s native English. It is a thorough approach to language learning, using contextual clues, pictures, marginal notes, stories, etc. to portray meaning. The goal of the course is for students to learn to read and speak intermediate Latin, have a solid foundation in grammar, and to expand their vocabulary to nearly 2,000 words.

Latin III

This course is a continuation of Latin II. Students will continue learning Latin via the natural method using Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina per se Illustrata. In addition, they will take the National Latin Exam in mid-March.

Latin II

This course is a continuation of Latin I. Students will continue learning Latin via the natural method using Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina per se Illustrata. They will strengthen their grammar and vocabulary and become more proficient in speaking and reading intermediate latin.

Latin IV

Students will finish reading Hans Ørberg’s Lingua Latina per se Illustrata Pars I in this course. Students will also be introduced to ancient Roman poetry through authors such as Virgil, as well as passages from the Roman mythological accounts found in Fabulae Syrae.  In mid-March the students will then take the National Latin Exam.