Latin inspired all the other subjects taught at Paragon Prep. The Romans not only developed most of the subjects that we study today, but they also ardently believed in students being exposed to all subjects or having a liberal arts education. The Romans, excellent engineers, discovered and recorded many math theorems and axioms, such as the rounded arch. Scientific names are all in Latin not only because it is very specific, but because the Romans named and cataloged all of the flora and fauna found in their travels. The Romans adored physical activity and built great gymnasiums and bathing pools for public enjoyment. Most English words are derived from Latin and/or come directly from the Latin such as Alumnus/Alumna. Finally, the Romans spread their civilization across the world and recorded it for posterity, thereby creating western civilization as we know it.

In Latin class, students explore Latin through history, vocabulary, architecture, law, and grammar. Students are challenged through language studies, national tests, and extracurricular activities such as Certamen. Paragon Prep utilizes the textbook series The Cambridge Latin Course, which follows modern teaching methods for real Latin acquisition.  

The Latin curriculum at Paragon Prep follows a high school program—students in Latin I or 7^th Grade at Paragon are learning the same things that Latin I students in high school are learning, and students in Latin II or 8^th Grade at Paragon are learning the same that Latin II students in the surrounding high schools are learning.  

7th Grade Latin objectives

Reading Students will evolve from simple sentences with single verbs to reading complex sentence structures and full paragraphs and pages.  They will read, in the texts, a continuous story line in Latin and learn to interpret what they read without translating into English.

Mythology Students will gain familiarity with the beginning of the Greek world, the Greek and Roman gods, myths about the beginning of humanity and the heroes.  We will also read a simplified version of the Iliad and Odyssey.

History Romans considered their history to begin with the Trojan Aeneas, and that is where students will begin their history lessons, too.  The Seven Kings of Rome, the Republic, the Punic Wars and Civil Wars, and the Empire will all be discussed.  If time permits, we will expand into areas of Greece and Alexander the Great.

Culture The cultural centers for the seventh grade Latin class will be Pompeii and Roman Britain.  Students will learn basics of Roman daily life such as the organization of the household, religious beliefs, hygiene, medicine, education, entertainment, local government, trade, and treatment of indigenous peoples in the provinces.

Grammar Beginning with pronunciation and simple word order, students will gain comfort and skill with noun cases and declensions, verb conjugations and tenses, gender, number, person, impersonal and personal pronouns, and adjectives. 

8th Grade Latin Objectives

Reading The continuing storyline from Latin I has evolved into a complex story with subplots and political intrigue.  Students will read for meaning, interpret metaphor and author intent, and learn to predict future plotline.

Mythology Students will review through the mythologies studied previously, including the Iliad and Odyssey.  They will study the Metamorphoses of Ovid, and any remaining time will be spent on Greek tragedies such as Oedipus Rex by Sophocles.

History History will focus on the Republic, especially the life and times of Julius Caesar and the events which led to the downfall of the Republic.  We will delve into the topics in more detail than in Latin I.

Culture Students will study the Roman army, its legions, and camps.  They will study Roman religion and philosophy.  Lastly, they will learn more in depth about Roman entertainment and comedy.

Grammar Students will review through the grammar progress they made previously in Latin I, then begin to add to their knowledge.  They will expand verbs into voice and mood; learn subtleties of idiom and usage, and finish the basics of a Latin grammar education.