A Principled Philosophy
The Principle Approach® is a philosophy that encompasses the Christian understanding of God, man, and government. It emphasizes the value of each individual and the importance of personal self-government under God. Central to this approach is the concept of learning to “think governmentally”—that is, to ask who or what is controlling, regulating, or directing, and to reason from internal to external, or from cause to effect.
This philosophy of education is not only Christian but distinctly American Christian. It teaches students to understand the relationship between America and Christianity beyond mere patriotism. Students learn to comprehend the Biblical principles that gave rise to our Christian form of government and to grasp what it truly means to be an American Christian. This includes being a steward of our nation’s heritage of Christian liberty, character, self-government, property, and unity with union. Moreover, students are equipped to articulate why this nation is unique in the world and to understand her Biblical—both Gospel and governmental—purpose.
A Principled Curriculum
The Principle Approach® curriculum is distinctive from other Christian curricula in its goals and methods. It seeks to integrate Biblical principles such as virtue, integrity, industry, enterprise, and productivity throughout course content. Each subject is also intentionally placed within the “Chain of Christianity,” connecting it to a broader Biblical and historical framework.
The curriculum demonstrates how each subject is rooted in Scripture by revealing its Biblical source, origin, and inspiration. It also highlights the ultimate Biblical purpose and end of each discipline. Every subject is taught in light of how God has historically used it to advance the Gospel and the foundational principles of Christian liberty, self-government, property, and union for the individual.
A key component of this principled approach to education is the role of the teacher, who serves as a “living textbook.” The curriculum flows from the heart of the teacher, who grows toward mastery through personal research and the development of his or her own curriculum.
A Principled Methodology
The Principle Approach® is distinctive in several key ways. It embraces America’s historic method of Biblical reasoning and makes the truths of God’s Word the foundation of every subject. This approach restores the Four R’s of teaching and learning—Research, Reason, Relate, and Record—through various methods, such as word studies. It takes a holistic view of education by demonstrating a unity of principles across a diversity of subjects at all grade levels and plants the seeds of all knowledge by identifying subjects through Biblical principles.
The Notebook Method, using three-ring binders, provides students with a permanent, written record of their learning. Classrooms operate under constitutions, and students are taught Christianity’s form of civil government, including Christian self-government, the Law, and the Gospel. Instead of relying on true-false, matching, or multiple-choice questions, assessments emphasize essay questions that develop thinking and reasoning skills. Teaching is individualized to reach the heart of every child, honoring different learning styles and fostering meaningful, principle-based education.
StoneBridge School is a demonstration school for The Principle Approach®, philosophy and method of education “that produces Christian character and self-government, Christian scholarship and Biblical reasoning for lifelong learning and discipleship.”
This philosophy and method enables us to be more effective in our unique mission to restore the Christian character of our nation, because our students develop a deep understanding of their value in Christ and the way God’s Word relates to every aspect of life and liberty. Our founder, Dr. Carole Adams, provides further details on our history, philosophy, and goals here.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” ~2 Corinthians 3:17
“A nation which is humble enough to begin with its children in the constructing of its foundations for liberty may once again have the opportunity to lead nations to Christ.” ~Rosalie Slater, Co-founder, Foundation for American Christian Education