Cedar Hall High School is college preparatory.
The goals of the Cedar Hall program is atypical of most secondary schools. We have patterned the curriculum after the Great Books Program, and the format after St. John's College. The emphasis is placed on reading, discussing, and writing. Classes are small, seldom more than twelve which lends itself to 100% participation. The objective is to provide an atmosphere that will challenge students to take responsibility for their own education, to help them learn the art of critical thinking, and prepare them for a successful college experience. A heavy emphasis on writing is prevalent in most classes. The graduation requirements are more challenging than most secondary schools in Tennessee.
Along with the rigorous academic expectations, Cedar Hall also engages its High School students in mentoring the younger students in the area of relationships, especially in areas of integrity and hard work. At the beginnning of each year, they are paired with students from the Middle and Primary schools. Each month the group of three or four will eat a meal and play together. This has proven to be one of the most important ways we have of passing the baton to the next generation, so to speak.
Stewardship
also plays a vital role in our students' lives. We use our 200 acre
farm to get the students out of the classroom and into the real world.
Physics will find our students building trebuchets and firing
rockets. For Biology, we use our greenhouse and the wooded areas to
help knowledge come alive. This year, in keeping with one of our
mentors,
Wendell Berry, the students are growing and serving a home
grown meal for their parents. They learn to make their education
tangible. The goal is to make each class memorable and pertinent.
We have chosen not to participate in AP and other related programs because they are based on preparation for specific tests. As soon as a student catches that the goal is to pass a test, he loses the purpose of education. We do, however, prepare our students for ACT and SAT testing as it proves necessary to enter good colleges. All of our graduating classes have averaged in the top 20%, and most of them are in the 10% range. Go to the college info section to get a view of the colleges our students have been accepted to.
Cedar Hall High School is an experience, but as one of our graduates commented years ago, "I've stopped trying to explain my secondary school experience; they just can't understand."
Tuition: $390.00/month for 12 months
