THE LION LINE - Message from the Headmaster Johnson - Why Study Logic and Rhetoric? - Classical Learning Test (CLT)

Sep 15, 2026

THE LION LINE presents a school community message from Headmaster Johnson, emphasizing continuous improvement through academic growth as well as arts, music, and athletics. It outlines upcoming co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, including possible foreign language and astronomy, home soccer events, and a five-year athletics plan. Additional sections advocate studying logic and rhetoric for ordered thinking and persuasive truth, and introduce the Classical Learning Test (CLT), an online alternative college entrance exam focused on logic.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time17 min

AccessFree to download

THE LION LINE

A Message from the Headmaster Johnson

Why Study Logic and Rhetoric?

Classical Learning Test (CLT)

# THE LION LINE A Message from the Headmaster Johnson Dear Parents, I am honored to be a part of this school:our parents are supportive,our scholars are wonderful,andour teachers are exceptional.But,there is always room for improvement.In fact,someone recently shareda quote that resonated with me,"The humble improve."This quote,originally seen across the front of ahigh school band room,applies to us all,in every aspect of our lives. We are working hard to improve both our co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for nextyear.There is a possibility that we will be able to offer a foreign language and astronomy.Our soccer fieldis shaping up,and we will soon host our very first home game at SJCA.Next year,we will have juniorhigh and high school soccer games at home,which will be really exciting.Our Athletic Director,Mrs.Patterson,is working on a five-year athletics plan,which will soon be unveiled. As with all projects,we need more parental involvement with our athletics and fundraisingopportunities.Our most immediate need rests in joining our golf tournament team led by Mrs.JessicaBork.Another need is in creating an Athletics Booster Club to help our athletic programs be morecompetitive with the other district schools.Additionally,we need coaches for wrestling(elementary andjunior/high school),tennis,golf,and swimming.If there is a sport not listed that you are interested incoaching,let me know. Finally,I encourage you to embrace providing a well-rounded education for your children.Whileacademics is important,it is also essential to develop our children in art,music,and athletics.When ourthree children each turned six years old,they began piano lessons,which lasted for several years andencompassed severalinstruments.Practice was mandatory and a part of their curriculum.Eachdeveloped differently in music,but it is still a large part of their lives. Imagine a young person who does well in school,plays sports and multiple instruments,paints orwrites poetry,and even understands agriculture.While that may be a stretch,we should foster ourscholars embracing a true classical education,which includes academics,art,music,and athletics. We are so blessed to have this school in our community and should take full advantage of it.Pleaselook for ways you can get involved and help us improve.Doing so willenhance your scholar’s life andyours as well. Sincerely, Headmaster Johnson ## Why Study Logic and Rhetoric? By Mrs.Angie Casteel,Upper School English The study of Latin reveals the structure of language.The study of math reveals the order,patterns,andrelationships inherent in the cosmos.The study of biology reveals the forms and laws of nature.In thesame way,the study of logic reveals the structures and rules inherent to human thinking.Traditionallogic,or Aristotelian logic,leads us from one truth to another.And the study of rhetoric reveals thepossible means of persuading others about the truth we find. Both understanding the fundamental rules that create sound arguments and articulating soundarguments are essentialfor a citizenry claiming “inalienable rights”to “life,liberty,and the pursuit ofhappiness”when the government securing those rights“derives its just powers from the governed”.Ourfounding fathers declared independence through universal principles laid out in a logical argument.If wewant to maintain a free,self-governing society of diverse opinions,passions,and interests,we must learnto recognize fallacy and persuade towards truth. Training in logic builds the habit of thinking in an orderly way.In the introduction to our classroom text,Martin Cothran explains that this training “provides a student with a lifelong habit of mind,which he willtake with him into every activity in his life that involves thought—which is to say,every activity.Noteveryone becomes a scientist,or accountant,or teacher,but everyone has to think.And there is no betterway to prepare for this universal occupation than the stu

FAQs

What improvement goals does Headmaster Johnson describe for the coming year?

The message highlights expanding co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities, including possible new offerings such as a foreign language and astronomy, plus growing athletics programs and hosting school soccer home games.

Why does the document recommend studying logic and rhetoric?

Logic is presented as training orderly, structured thinking, while rhetoric is described as learning the means of persuasion toward truth and recognizing fallacies.

What is the Classical Learning Test (CLT) and when will SJCA offer it?

SJCA will offer scholars (7th–11th) the opportunity to take the CLT beginning in April, described as a free online college entrance exam alternative to the SAT and ACT, focusing on logic.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Sophia Brooks