From www.paideia.org:
"The Paideia philosophy celebrates the fundamental notion that to be fully educated is a lifelong adventure that only begins with an individual's formal schooling. It is based on the assumption that all human beings are by definition activist learners, capable of a fully humanistic life defined by intellectual growth. Thus, Paideia schools should ultimately be judged by how well they prepare students for a full and active life of the heart and mind.
In 1982, Paideia's original thinker, philosopher Mortimer Adler, joined with a diverse cadre of educators and intellectuals to form the Paideia Group. Its members charged themselves with the task of defining a list of "Paideia Principles" as a summary of ideas introduced by Adler in his seminal work on American education, The Paideia Proposal. These principles were intended to help shape future efforts to improve schools and classrooms.
As part of The Paideia Proposal, the Paideia Group outlined a comprehensive course of study that incorporates three complementary instructional techniques or columns. Known as the Three Columns of Instruction, the techniques are: didactic instruction of factual information; intellectual coaching of skills; and seminar discussion of ideas, concepts, and values."
As a Paideia school, CSAS uses seminars as a regular part of student instruction. These seminars are a collaborative intellectual discussion based on the ideas in a common text. They are facilitated by open-ended questions, and the goals for seminar are twofold. First, students develop intellectually as a result of discussing the ideas around a common theme. Second, students grow socially, learning more about themselves and others as well as practicing the skills of civil discourse.
In weekly general seminars, the ideas revolve around building a positive school culture. In content seminars, instructors choose texts that give students a chance to discuss ideas within the subject. For example, in math, they use mathematical vocabulary while thinking and conversing like mathematicians. CSAS is also planning evening seminars for its entire school community. Parents will be given the opportunity to participate during the fall semester.
