Cambridge is a classical, Christ-centered school, offering an integral curriculum defined by three basic characteristics we call “distinctives.”
A Classical Approach
A classical education is one that values children as persons and educates them with time-tested, meaningful content presented in a manner that is intellectually, physically, socially, and spiritually age appropriate. A classical education is one that inspires the imaginations of children by immersing them in rich literature, history, art, and music within a dynamic classroom environment where students are encouraged to question and explore. As genuine questions emerge and students have the opportunity to examine truth that transcends history, they are transformed from passive participants into engaged and interested learners.
At Cambridge School, we believe that rich literature is a tremendous source for learning grammar, writing, and speaking; classical art and music provide the foundation for appreciating modern works and trends; exposure to the Masters inspires students to create their own works and to appreciate the patience and practice required for excellence; and that science and math enable students to understand the precision and order of our world.
A Christ-Centered School
As students look for truth in literature, science, drama, art, and music, they begin to understand that all truth comes from God. Therefore, His creation and His inspired, incarnate Word are the foundations for our classical curriculum. Throughout our curriculum, we examine evidence of the presence of God in literature, history, technology, science and the arts. We acknowledge that God is the author of all knowledge and the source of all truth, and we welcome Jesus Christ as an active, living presence in all that we do at Cambridge School. He is, in fact, the "Master Teacher" who models the full integration of knowledge, wisdom, and character; He calls each of our students to discover and embrace the unique destinies for which he/she was created. Because we believe that all children are created in the image of God, so we are committed to an environment of small classes that enables teachers to identify and encourage each student’s unique gifts and abilities.
The Cambridge School Statement of Faith is the Apostle’s Creed, which captures the essentials of the faith that unite all Christians.
We believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
We believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He arose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Amen.
An Integral Curriculum
Children learn best when they can experience the relationship between subject matters and God's created world. Cambridge School is committed to an integral curriculum in which the full range of subjects is presented, not as isolated bits of information, but in ways that reflect the wholeness of God’s created order. Instruction is organized into unit themes, which help students to learn in a coherent, rather than a fragmented, way. It is our goal to appreciate all the facets of life, including the arts, sciences, literature, history, mathematics, religion, and culture from a Christian world view.
Immersed in thematic units of study that cross all the disciplines, students have time to absorb, ponder, and dwell on information, to identify with the characters of a book, and to experience history through the lives of different characters. For example, the Civil War will be characterized by more than just names and dates. Students will explore the meaning, cause and effect, and moral issues surrounding the war. When students are given time to reflect on the issues, spend time with the characters, dramatize the events, consider the cultural relevance, and explore the work of God during the time period, a greater and more personal level of understanding is achieved
An integral curriculum also provides an environment that naturally accommodates the unique learning styles of each student. Our multisensory approach, including direct instruction, coaching, seminar discussion, and hands-on experiences not only enables each student to interact meaningfully with the content but also enables the intelligence of each student to be strengthened and developed. Additionally, the instructional technique of narration allows students to process and explain in their own words what they have learned.
The arts are another important facet of an integral curriculum. Through the arts the emotions, senses, imagination, memory, and intellect are cultivated and developed. Inclusion of the arts, as part of a cohesive theme, awakens in a student a sense of wonder, and it is through this sense of wonder that the student learns and makes connections.
Cambridge School History
In September of 1998, Cambridge School opened its doors to 29 students. At that time, our staff of four teachers and one administrator taught out of the basement of Pleasant Hill Chapel in Hunt Valley, Maryland. The opening of Cambridge School was the result of two years of research and planning by Scott Buresh, founder and first board chair. Scott’s dream was to open a school that balanced reason with imagination, a school that believed in academic excellence while building a foundation of faith in a nurturing and loving environment. Scott envisioned a school that acknowledged and sought God’s truth through active, hands-on learning.
After five years at Pleasant Hill, Cambridge moved to St. Charles Parish in Baltimore. The new site offered more room and space to accommodate the growth of Cambridge. Before the move, Cambridge’s community included nearly 120 students and almost 20 faculty and staff. Cambridge is a member of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools (AIMS) and is in the process of becoming accredited by this organization.
In 2011-2012, Cambridge School celebrated its 14th year. With 132 students and over 20 faculty and staff, Cambridge has continued to thrive and to establish a track record of success with graduates who have done well and have excelled in high school. Clearly Cambridge has been blessed with God's provision and guidance throughout our journey, as He has continued to shape and mold our learning community. In addition, we have also been blessed by many who have given so much of their time, heart, energy, and resources.
Listen to an interview of our founder, Scott Buresh:
(Right-click to download)
Inspiration:
Core Values:
Distinctiveness:
Evaluation: