Homework and Reading

Homework is an important aspect of classical education because it reinforces classroom learning, builds the virtue of self-government, and ensures students engage deeply with content like literature, math problems, and historical texts. The amount of homework varies by grade. In elementary school, homework may focus on practicing foundational skills while in older grades, it may include longer reading assignments and essays to develop comprehension and critical thinking skills. Teachers aim to balance workload with age-appropriate expectations, but parents noticing excessive homework should discuss it with the school to ensure it aligns with the classical model’s goals.

Homework’s immediate educational purpose is:

• to reinforce skills and concepts and knowledge learned in class;
• to develop good skills and habits of study;
• to practice skills and reinforce knowledge in ways that are not readily accomplished in the classroom;
• to work on assignments, such as the writing of papers, and prepare for exams that require a great deal of sustained, individual attention;
• to prepare for the following day’s work so that the most can be made of class time;
• to inform parents of what is being taught in the classroom.

In addition to regular classroom assignments, we would like each younger child to read, or be read to, at least three times a week and preferably every day.  Reading to a child encourages the child’s growth and elevates conversation within the family. In the upper grades, the extra reading time (roughly half an hour) allows for the increasing length of great works of literature.

The expected homework time allotment for each grade is as follows:

Kindergarten: 10 minutes plus family reading time

Grade 1: 10 minutes plus family reading time

Grade 2: 20 minutes plus reading time

Grade 3: 30 minutes plus reading time

Grade 4: 40 minutes plus reading time

Grade 5: 50 minutes plus reading time

Grade 6: 60 minutes plus reading time

Grade 7: 70 minutes plus reading time

Grade 8: 80 minutes plus reading time

Grades 9 -12: 90-120 minutes plus reading time

The designated times serve as guidelines and may vary depending on the work assigned on a given day, the schedule, the student’s organizational skills and study habits, the varying abilities of the students, and the nature of the assignments. Students are expected to learn how to use their time effectively to complete the required work at each grade level. Parents are expected to support their children in this endeavor. Advanced classes may require additional homework time. It is generally understood that writing papers and studying for exams take more time than regular classroom assignments. For that reason, the end of a term does result in increased homework load. Nonetheless, teachers will make every effort to give assignments well in advance, and students will be encouraged to work on those longer assignments steadily, so that students are able to manage their homework along with other activities and adequate sleep. In the upper school, students will have the opportunity to take Studium. The word “studium” is a Latin word meaning to study with zeal and determination.  During Studium, students diligently work on their assignments during the school day, functionally reducing the amount of time at home that must be devoted to homework.  

Teachers may require students to redo poorly done or incomplete work that was submitted on time. Whether such work is given any credit is left to the discretion of the teacher. Students are expected to complete all their homework.