Welcome to Saint Boniface Academy
Our Philosophy of Education
We disciple students in gospel-centric education that is robustly Christian and pedagogically classical. We equip students to flourish in this world by being what Jesus describes as “wise as serpents and gentle as doves” (Matt. 10:16). Our desire is to cultivate hearts that wonder and worship the Triune God and thereby discern what is good, true, and beautiful. We partner with parents in this endeavor and want to maximize the individual abilities that God has given each child. We desire students to engage in a love of learning through integrated fields of study that promote mastery and build the thinking skills necessary for a successful life in serving the Lord.
Our Philosophy of Humanities
To study the humanities is to study what it means to be made “in the image of God.” We integrate the various fields of study: Literature, History, Theology, Writing, and Grammar. We journey through eras of time as an entire school and rotate on a four year cycle: Ancient, Medieval, Modern, and US History. Our focus is primarily on our Western heritage, but we believe that understanding Eastern history is also important to studying the Image of God and thereby weave this alongside a robust study of our Western heritage.
Our Philosophy of Bible
Delving into Scripture is to engage with the story of the world. At Saint Boniface Academy, we recognize that while the time-honored use of catechisms has waned, their essence in imparting foundational truths remains vital. Our educational journey takes students from basic biblical teachings to a deeper, more profound grasp of scriptural truth. We emphasize the application of biblical knowledge, the discernment of doctrinal positions, and a thorough comprehension of the biblical story. Upholding the Bible as the ultimate authority on truth, goodness, and beauty, it is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of our curriculum. This conviction forms the cornerstone of our worldview and is central to our philosophy, fostering a life mature in faith and wisdom.
Our Philosophy of History
History shows the pattern of human behavior and witnesses to the truth of God’s Word and his gospel. Students are challenged to build a thorough knowledge of the past, informed by original sources, in order to discern how to live faithfully in the present. The study of history shows God’s mission for Creation and mankind’s need for a Savior; history is completely fulfilled in Christ. The discipline of discerning correlation from causation will be paramount to the study of history.
Our Philosophy of Literature
Literature provides the opportunity to recognize the human condition through the power of story, and understand our role in God’s grand story. We do this by studying fiction, non-fiction and source text. In literature we are given a unique vantage from an omniscient perspective in the lives of the characters–through the eyes of the author. Reading also provides a position of innocence while giving opportunity for discernment through the tensions of life and God’s authorship of redemption. Through literature we are able to train skills of discernment and wisdom. All chosen literature will have an intentional purpose to develop a God-centered perspective in all things.
Our Philosophy of Mathematics
Math is ultimately seeking objective truth. It is the way that God formed the universe, and understanding math gives us a greater understanding of the God of order. There are important skills to solving problems, and we afford time for mastery so that students can have a deep and robust understanding. We equip students to puzzle through problems and ultimately seek truth in this important field of study that correlates to both pragmatic and theoretical studies in a broad array of areas.
Our Philosophy of Science
Contemplating God's creation is not just an act of observation; it's a prelude to worship. Science serves as a valuable tool in interpreting God's world, yet it remains secondary to Scripture. Scripture lays the foundation of truth, and since all truth is an extension of God's truth, delving deeper into scientific discoveries about the world enhances our understanding of the Creator Himself. By integrating the study of science with biblical and natural revelation, students can attain greater depth and expertise in their scientific endeavors."
Our Philosophy of Language
God created us to communicate through language. God himself is a communicative God in creation, in Scripture, and through his Son — whom John calls the very “Word” of God. At Saint Boniface Academy, we teach Latin because it gives us a foundational understanding of the mechanics of language, which further develops our mastery of English. About 80% of English vocabulary is borrowed, mainly from Latin. Latin is foundational to other languages (e.g., French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Romanian). Even the abbreviation “e.g.” stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning “for example.” Developing Latin skills, because the language is well structured, trains the mind to recognize logical ordering. What’s more, many historical documents of Western civilization and of our Christian heritage were written in Latin. Latin also forms the basis for much of the vocabulary in several professional careers (e.g., law, medicine, botany).
Our Philosophy of Music
Music and singing are part of the very fabric of Scripture and are scattered throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Bible continually calls for singing (Ex. 15; Psalm 96; Psalm 100; Eph. 5:19). God is described as rejoicing over us with “loud singing” (Zeph. 3:17). The book of Psalms consists of 150 songs for the people of God to sing which cover the range of emotion. Furthermore, the benefits of studying music and singing include and incorporate analytic thinking, language, breath control, math, social skills, and confidence. In addition, studying music cultivates patience, humility, goodness, and self-control, which are fruits of the Spirit. At St. Boniface Academy, we want our students to be well-equipped to heed the words of the Apostle Paul, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” (Col. 3:16).
Our Philosophy of Art
Art is part of a robust Christian education because of its place in Scripture. In Genesis, God creates, sees, and evaluates all that he makes and calls it good. In creation, beauty precedes utility. Having been made in the image of God, people mirror God in creating and discerning that which is beautiful. Art also has an ethical dimension (Gen. 3:6; Psalm 101:3; Matt. 6:22; Phil. 4:8; 1 Jn. 2:16). Furthermore, art serves as a window into other times and cultures, which aids a fuller study of anthropology. Education is not just about thinking academically, but also appreciating that which is true, good, and beautiful to the glory of God.