"Children make large demands upon us. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Thou hast set my feet in a large room; should be the glad cry of every intelligent soul." - Charlotte Mason

• Priority on Living Books, Living Ideas, and Living Things ... spreading the feast of learning and living every day!
• Daily Narration: oral and written retellings which promote higher order thinking and communication
• Notebooking/Journaling (instead of dry worksheets and "data dumping" in workbooks and on tests): students compiling beautiful notebooks filled with retellings, ideas, illustrations, quotations, diagrams, charts, essays
• "Forms" instead of traditional classroom "grades" ... allowing for broader learning windows that facilitate both extra  academic support AND acceleration depending on your child's needs:
  • Woodland Friends (pre-K and K)
  • Form I - ages 6-9
  • Form II - ages 9-12
  • Form III - ages 12-14 
  • Form IV - ages 14-15 
  • Form V - ages 16-18
• ​House System: all B&V students (ages 4 to 18) arranged in our amazing Narnian-themed House System. Students love the close camaraderie and community, fun competitions, House colors, flags & merch,  House Luncheons, House point challenges, B&V House traditions and celebrations.
  • Our four Houses: Archenland, Cair Paravel, Dragon Island, Stone Table
• Good & Great Books Emphasis: the highest of quality literature, authors, poets, thinkers, and leading experts in their respective fields ... the ones who have withstood the test of time ... speaking directly, mind to mind, to our students
• Nature & Math/Science Emphasis:
  • Nature: generous outdoor time every day, nature observation, gardening, outdoor classrooms, caring for beloved B&V creatures, bird feeders, nature journaling, forts, tree climbing, Forest School Week, room and space to think and discover​
  • Math & Science: ​daily math classes (addition to algebra), Upper Form science classes and labs days (Astronomy, Earth Science, Biology, Physics, Chemistry), chess, strategy games, dedicated STEM Clubs (Tuesdays & Thursdays), Science Fair, Annual Math Competition, Chess Tournament Week
• Music and Arts Emphasis: we desire a rich and beautiful life for our students; one that transcends the "bottom line pragmatism" (checking boxes, cashing checks) of our modern era. Music trains the ear and the mind, developing discipline, cooperative learning, and social/emotional intelligence. Shakespeare introduces students to the richness of language, timeless themes, the power of narrative, while fostering confidence and eloquence. Art study refines observation skills and encourages personal expression. Dance strengthens coordination and provides a sense of joy in movement. Engaging in the arts not only enriches academic learning but also builds character, instills a love for lifelong learning, and equips students with the ability to think deeply, communicate effectively, and approach challenges with innovation. 
  • ​Every student age 6 and above plays violin or a wind instrument in various level-based ensembles 
  • B&V features the outstanding works of one composer, one artist, and one poet for each of our three terms per year. Students become confidently conversant with the great works.
  • All 37 Shakespeare plays learned and loved during the course of a student's time at B&V; multiple spring performances for all students in Forms II through V culminating in Shakespeare Festival Week!
• Foreign Language Emphasis: Students engage with rich language and culture:
  • ​Latin provides students with an exceptional framework for language, grammar, vocabulary, and critical thinking as they decline, conjugate, sing, pray, recite in Latin ... and eventually translate (from Caesar to the Latin Vulgate)! In Term 3, B&V students enjoy our Classical Certamen Competition (Latin & Classical Studies) with Form winners being awarded the Golden Laurel Wreath.
  • Spanish: learning modern languages at B&V is relational and dynamic in nature, with an emphasis on practical conversational skills. Students enjoy a language immersive program that includes Spanish folk tales, Spanish songs, culture, and speaking. A favorite every year is our Spanish Festival Week.
• Handicrafts & Hands-On Learning Emphasis: we place a strong emphasis on working with hands. We facilitate generous activity electives like sculpting, knitting, sewing/stitchery, drawing, weaving, beadwork, leatherwork, etc. Students enjoy the balance of practical expression alongside a literary life.
• Hybrid & University Model Schooling:
  • "Hybrid Model" for Lower Form Students: students engage in dynamic learning experiences within our group settings; students continue on this vibrant lifestyle of expressive learning at home on evenings, weekends, and homeschool days (moderate assignments).
  • "University Model" for Upper Form Students: meeting select days for Charlotte Mason-style community-based learning; this schooling model is designed to operate similarly to a university/college schedule wherein students prepare for and attend multiple in-person classes throughout the week. Remaining coursework is completed with a sense of self-direction and ownership during evenings, homeschool days, and weekends. Home assignments are more reflective of typical classical education rigor, yet customized to student age and ability.
• Joy, Liturgy, and Historic Celebrations: At B&V we place high value on "the feast of learning and living." Our schedule is reflective of these ideals. Therefore, we schedule an academic year woven together with so much joy, liturgy, and tradition. A sampling of our celebrations:
  • Holy Cross Day, Michaelmas Day, All Saints' Day, Saint Nicholas Day, two weeks of Christmas School, Twelfth Night, Candlemas, Shrove (Pancake) Tuesday, Presidential Ball, St. Patrick's Ceilidh, Speech Meet Week, Science Fair Week, Shakespeare Festival Week, Olympic Games Week, Certamen (Classical Week), Forest School Week, Holy Week Celebrations, Student-Led Artisan Markets (Michaelmas, Christmas & Easter Markets), Chess Tournament Week ...  are just a sampling. We anchor our students to the beauty of tradition and their Christian heritage, while offering them inspiration for the future.
• Physical Activity: we provide daily fresh air breaks, plenty of exercise, Thursday folk dancing, and athletic House Competitions. We also ensure there are physical activity & fitness electives for students on Tuesdays and Thursdays.​
  • Vine Football League (VFL) - our Narnian association football (soccer) league features 8 Narnian-themed teams playing for the Narnia Cup. Students also enjoy March Madness Week with a fun sports emphasis.
• Degreed and CM-trained teachers who carry a variety of specialties and certifications and are engaged in ongoing professional development
• Clubs & Electives: our delight-directed student clubs and electives span everything from strategy games, handicrafts, landscaping, ballet, fitness, 3-D printing, first aid ... to dog training! We want students shining in areas of giftedness and discovering new interests, while developing into well-rounded individuals.
• Finally, we facilitate steps toward individual mastery and personal growth over draining age comparisons and shallow assessments (that rarely capture what a student truly knows or how they have truly grown). Students at B&V write open-ended, higher order thinking Midterms and Finals (six times a year). Our assessments are rigorous, clarifying ... and life-giving.

​Wonder & delight woven throughout our day!

Are you open to embracing a revitalizing way forward ...
an educational lifestyle of Truth, Goodness & Beauty?

TIME-TESTED EDUCATIONAL METHODS & PROVEN LONGTERM FRUIT IN STUDENTS' LIVES
​
​MASTERY OF LEARNING WITH ​DEGREED & SPECIALIZED CM EDUCATORS

PARENT RESOURCES, EQUIPPING & SUPPORT

STIRRING A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE WARMED BY LOVE

SHEPHERDING GOOD HABITS OF
THOUGHT & LIFE

SPREADING A WIDE AND GENEROUS
​ FEAST OF LIVING IDEAS