Ask Chad Rynbrandt what he desires most in his children’s education, and he will say, “I want my children to love to learn and to have their insatiable curiosity become self-fueling.” As one of the founding families of Clapham School in Wheaton, Rynbrandt and his wife Mindy have seen their three children flourish in this five-year-old classical Christian school, where the philosophy is based on “joyful discovery,” a phrase Clapham uses to describe what happens when the pedagogy of 19th Century British educator Charlotte Mason is used in a classroom.
“At Clapham School, children are exposed to a very challenging and advanced curriculum, but the bottom line in their education is that all truth is God’s truth, and they have the opportunity to learn and discover this truth themselves,” said Rynbrandt, who is also chairman of the school’s board.
According to Julie Reynolds, Clapham School’s Director of Curriculum, Charlotte Mason espoused the view that children should be given a broad education across all subjects. They should be given the tools of learning and habits of discipline that enable them to do the hard work of education for themselves. Teachers shepherd students along these lines, becoming much more than merely imparters of knowledge, but facilitators in the discussion of ideas. Joyful discovery is what results as children experience the deep satisfaction of mastering math facts, mixing just the right color for a nature study, feeling the cadence of a poem, or making connections in history.
“Her philosophy brings an unhurried pace to what could be perceived as academically rigorous,” she said. “ Charlotte Mason believed that as whole persons created in the image of God, children have a God-given capacity to engage with ideas in any text – capitalizing on this innate curiosity is what keeps the fires of learning fueled. Clapham does this by engaging deeply on various levels, such as studying two artists and composers a year, allowing for critical thinking in the younger years, and taking time for nature observation and sketching,” she said.
The advanced-paced school currently serves grades Pre-Kindergarten through 7th grade, with plans to continue to add classes through 12th grade. Languages are emphasized, with Spanish taught beginning in Pre-K, Latin in 3rd grade, and French in 6th, according to Doug Reynolds, Head of School. Additionally, the mathematics curriculum is taught one grade level ahead.
Doug Reynolds said, “In our classrooms we want students not only to encounter truth, goodness and beauty, but to see these as reflections of God Himself, and we allow time for these discussions.”
“Teachers at Clapham help to facilitate a discussion that flows from the texts that are read and allow the ideas to speak,” said Julie Reynolds. “Students mine the information and uncover the knowledge themselves, rather than having a teacher who imparts the knowledge to them,” she said.
Conventional textbooks are generally not used in the classrooms, deferring instead to the original works being studied to see what the author is saying. “What we are doing is somewhat counter-cultural,” said Susan Carrión, Director of Instruction. “We want students to engage in the study of the great works of literature, art, music. When they ‘sit at the feet of the masters’ they learn from the best.”
“Though Clapham’s curriculum is rigorous, it is far from rigid,” said Carrion. “There is much freedom in idea exchange, expressing thought and reactions to the subject matter.”
In a 1st grade playtime during the study of Ancient Egypt, teacher Renée Shear realized that the children were using Lincoln Logs® and Legos® to re-enact Pharaoh going down the Nile. “Bringing the subject matter to such life that it naturally becomes a part of our student’s lives is what we desire at Clapham School,” Carrion said.
And it doesn’t stay at school. Rynbrandt gives example after example of how his children naturally bring up subjects to discuss at the dinner table about what they are learning in school and how it relates to their lives today.
“Last year our children were studying the Colonial Period,” said Rynbrandt. “At dinner their conversations were about our meal and how we eat today as compared to colonial times. We talked about what is the same and what is different, such as vegetables are the same, but are prepared differently; and we eat on plates, but these are made out of different materials,” he said.
“This type of interaction, reflection, and self-directed learning prepares children for life,” said Rynbrandt. “This Clapham education is an investment in my children’s future.”
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Opportunities to Learn More About Clapham School
Clapham Annual Fall Benefit Features Dr. John Seel, 10/14
Dr. John Seel, president of nCoreMedia, a technology supplier to DreamWorks and Pixar, will headline the Clapham School Annual Fall Benefit on Thurs., Oct. 14 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. at the College Church Commons Building, 332 E. Seminary Ave., in Wheaton. He was instrumental in founding a classical Christian school in Dallas, and is a regular contributor to the Clapham Institute. Tickets to the event, which include a silent and live auction, are $30 and are available by contacting the Clapham School office at 630-547-5125 or via http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e30qfygrdc6fc24b&llr=ptay48dab
Clapham School Open House November 4
Clapham School will host a Prospective Parents’ Open House on Thursday, November 4, 2010, from 7 – 8:30 p.m. in Room 201 at the school, which is located at 335 E. Seminary in College Church Wheaton. Parking for the Open House is available in the College Church parking lot behind the sanctuary building, off Union Street, one block north of Seminary. For further information please call Carolyn Litfin, Director of Admissions, at 630-547-5125.
Clapham School took its name from the “Clapham Saints,” who lived in an area of southwest London, known as “Clapham.” These individuals met for fellowship and worship in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Their devotion to the faith and how it intersected with the world helped change countless lives in London and beyond.
For further information on Clapham School, please visit www.claphamschool.com
Doug Reynolds, Head of School – (630) 547-5125
Carolyn Litfin, Director of Admission – (630) 547-5125
Clapham School is a member of:
The Association of Classical and Christian Schools (ACCS)
Ambleside Schools International (ASI)
Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS)
Society of Classical Learning (SCL)
