Secondary Curriculum

Welcome

Heritage Christian School is, by God's grace and providence, located on a large parcel of land in a beautiful facility in Jordan, Ontario. We have been blessed with strong parental support and ever-increasing enrollment. Our high school is small by some high school standards, but this makes for a tightly knit student body and close contact with students and teachers. As the numbers increase, the numbers of course options also increase. This handbook shows our current course options with descriptions of the high school program in general as well as of each individual course. Should you have questions, feel free to call or come in and see the Guidance Officer, the Secondary Vice-Principal, or the Principal for help. You are also welcome to come and tour the school and to view the curriculum documents.

Reformed Christian Education

The course of studies at Heritage Christian School includes a number of overtly stated starting points that direct the students to the central message of the Scriptures. All the parts flow together into one confession: Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Lord and we may serve him in obedience and joy. Our curriculum has the purpose of preparing our students for a life of competent Christian service.

The course of studies promotes a spiritual-emotional response that leads to a sense of wonder and amazement, culminating in "this is my Father's world, I am part of the fantastic universe, intricately made and cared for." At the same time the student is led to experience some of the sadness of broken relationships, a longing for renewal, and a "waiting upon the Lord." The students will also come face to face with the reality that not everything can be comprehended. The human mind is limited.

General criteria for selecting programs at HCS are these:

1. The content of the courses of study is carefully selected to present the truth, to foster the good and beautiful, and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for a life of Christian service.
2. Second, the emphasis is on the structure and function of created things, plants, animals, and people.
3. Third, the program will emphasize the study of the normative, positive development of human culture.

Another distinctive characteristic of Christian curriculum relates to the organization of the learning process. The students are led through five stages of learning in a way that stresses personal meaning and a comprehensive perception of reality. The five stages are:

1. Introducing the new learning to the student's current experience and previous learning.
2. Abstracting specific learning activities for analysis, conceptualization and precision learning.
3. Reformulating the new knowledge, skills and understandings to verify the student's personal achievement and insight
4. Leading the student to incorporate the new learning into an expanded, richer understanding of the world and the purpose for living.
5. Skills are usually taught in the context of meaningful activities.

Statement of Faith and Guiding Principles

The foundational documents that govern education at Heritage Christian School are available in our Association Handbook.

Mr. A. Ben Harsevoort
Principal
January, 2009

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