At George Washington Academy students in grades Pre-K through 7th (adding an additional grade every year through 12th grade) follow a classical education model designed to build strong thinkers and communicators. Our curriculum is rooted in the liberal arts, with a focus on literature, history, philosophy, math, and science, encouraging students to think critically and engage in thoughtful discussions.
Latin is a key part of our program, helping students develop strong language skills and a deeper understanding of Western culture. Courses in logic and rhetoric teach students how to reason clearly and communicate effectively. The arts also play an important role, fostering creativity and an appreciation for beauty.
GWA school future will be shaped by the core values that define us:
• Cultivating growth and virtue in every student.
• Igniting creativity and confidence to support each learner’s life goals.
• Orienting students’ academic experience to help them become engaged citizens dedicated to solving problems and contributing to the public good.
At George Washington Academy, students in grades Kindergarten-12th receive a classical education rooted in the Trivium, with a focus on literature, history, philosophy, math, and science. Core instruction in Latin, logic, and rhetoric, alongside the arts, fosters critical thinking, clear communication, and strong moral character, preparing students for success in high school, college, and beyond.
Students are in the Grammar Stage of the classical model. During these formative years, we use Direct Instruction, a proven, research-based teaching method that provides clear, sequenced lessons and consistent routines. This structured approach ensures mastery of foundational skills in reading, math, and language, building both competence and confidence from the very beginning of their education.
The junior high program at GWA (grades 6-8) builds on the foundational knowledge from elementary school. Students move into the Logic Stage, where the Socratic Method is a key part of learning. Through guided dialogue and questioning, students learn to analyze ideas, recognize sound reasoning, and develop critical thinking skills that prepare them for advanced studies.
Growth is a process of trial and error that happens when we are mindful of where we are and where we want to be. It requires self-awareness, resilience, and the courage to embrace the unfamiliar.
To inspire that growth, we will engage students’ interests, facilitate and ignite the creative mind and lay a foundation for lifelong love of learning.
Heritage’s small class size and distinguished faculty provides an incubator for self- discovery, while nurturing a student’s independence, confidence and originality.
We are a community that aspires to problem solve, design, invent, experiment, compose, write, build, and is open to new ideas. Through creativity, fresh ideas, and imagination, we push ourselves to think differently and embrace challenges. We believe that art and creative thinking are essential to building a mindful and beautiful world.
Classical education places a strong emphasis on virtues: truth, prudence, faith, hope, wisdom, courage, temperance and justice. We aim to foster a culture that encourages the pursuit of these virtues which are essential for both personal fulfillment and for contributing positively to society.
In grades 9 through 12, students enter the Rhetoric Stage of the classical model. Latin is an important part of our program, helping students develop strong language skills and a deeper understanding of Western culture. Courses in rhetoric refine their ability to reason clearly and communicate persuasively, while the arts foster creativity and an appreciation for beauty.
They will engage in deeper exploration of ideas, developing leadership, intellectual independence, and maturity across all disciplines, including math and science. Classes encourage self-expression and the practical application of knowledge, fostering thoughtful dialogue and analysis in both the humanities and STEM fields. While refining their communication skills, students learn to evaluate past decisions, address present challenges, and identify future opportunities in areas ranging from philosophical debates to scientific inquiry, preparing them to be well-rounded and thoughtful leaders.
A key feature of our Rhetoric Stage is the use of seminar-style discussions, where students engage in meaningful conversations rather than traditional lectures. Seated around a table, they actively debate and consider different perspectives, sharpening their ability to reason and communicate in all subjects, including complex mathematical and scientific concepts. Through this process, they are shaped into virtuous, articulate scholars, equipped to lead and inspire others toward what is true, good, and beautiful.
We value and reinforce the role of the parent as the primary decision maker and moral authority in the life of the child and we encourage parent
involvement in the school.
To promote our students understanding of the larger world and our local community we seek to provide opportunities dedicated to solving problems and contributing to the public good.
Our curriculum emphasizes the fundamentals – reading, writing, math, history, and science – delivered through a content-rich, logically ordered sequence that builds deep understanding year over year. In the early grades, we use Direct Instruction (DI) to ensure that every student masters essential skills with confidence. This research-based approach features explicit teaching, immediate feedback, and continuous practice to close learning gaps and accelerate progress.
Our classrooms are calm, focused environments where students are taught how to learn and how to think. Teachers provide consistent routines and high expectations so students can thrive academically and socially.
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Disclaimer: GWA is working to complete the category V private school application process for the 2026-27 school year. Presently, to satisfy the compulsory attendance law in the state of Tennessee, parents who want to register with GWA are required to enroll their student in an approved home school option. Parents may select independent home school by registering with their local school district or choose to enroll in an umbrella home school program, such as Home Life Academy. GWA will guide families through this process.
