Having developed the foundational grammar school skills, our 7th and 8th-grade students are now ready to apply their knowledge and skills to the art of reasoning and logical thinking. We guide their moral formation through the study of our Catholic faith and the development of the student’s sacramental and prayer life.
Through our Humane Letters class, a time period in history is used as the foundation for the study of literature, composition, poetry, public speaking, and grammar. Students continue in their study of mathematics as they prepare for high school-level math. From the perspective of wonder and awe, students study earth and life science. Students also take classes in art, industrial arts*, technology, music (band and choir), and physical education. Through a partnership with our local public school, students have the opportunity to participate in Minnesota State High School League-sanctioned sports and activities.
*(Note: These courses are currently unavilable for the 24-25 school year. These or similar courses will be made available after the hiring of neccessary faculty members.)
Our high school education is the culmination of formation at Holy Trinity School. Students in high school are expected to be competent, eloquent, wise, knowledgeable, respectful, and virtuous. This high standard of human formation takes place not only in the classroom, but in the hallways, on the field, and in the church.
Having received the foundation of grammar and logical thinking in the younger years of school, high school students are at liberty to dive into deeper knowledge, discuss abstract concepts in seminars, and discover the truth about God and His creation. Our class requirements provide a broad foundation for students of all backgrounds and aspirations, with the aim to shape well-rounded, faithful, young men and women.
Each student takes Theology and Humane Letters for four years, in addition to several other credit requirements in mathematics, science, foreign languages, art, etc.
Man is unique among the earthly creatures in his artistic capacity. God, by making man in His image, allows men to participate in His own creative power, utilizing their mental and physical ability to make new, meaningful, beautiful works of art. Holy Trinity School encourages this practice and builds in its students a range of artistic skills through the various fine arts classes it provides. In music classes, students develop their talents and cooperate together to perform great musical works through their voices or instruments.
In the visual arts classes, students do not merely practice self-expression, but learn about various artistic techniques and styles by studying the works of great masters, and discover how artistic movements developed and changed throughout history.
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By studying foreign languages, students escape the mental and cultural confines of their first language. They learn to think with the mind of someone from a different culture, and are able to converse with people or read things they otherwise would not have been able to. Analyzing grammar, or the rules of a language in the context of a foreign language is an effective means of understanding the principles of grammar. As a Catholic school recovering the traditions of classical education, Holy Trinity School is reestablishing a Latin program beginning in the elementary classes.
Holy Trinity School offers foreign languages on an alternating yearly basis. In the high school, foreign language classes are not offered for the 2023-2024 academic year. They will be offered again in 2024-2025. Please make note of the credit amounts and years offered for graduation requirements.
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The humanities are topics that, when understood and internalized, humanize a person. A humanities course ought to reveal man’s humanity to the student in what it means to be a man or a woman and point the student toward what he or she should aspire to be.
Our Humane Letters class is a unique course that combines the study of history, geography, economics, government, citizenship, literature, composition, grammar, poetry, public speaking, etc. Thoughtfully uniting many topics into one class under one teacher easily demonstrates the principle of the unity of knowledge: that all truth is God’s truth and everything has its source in Him. Through the study of great works of literature, and primary or secondary historical sources, students will gain an understanding of particular time periods along with developing the ability to think logically, argue effectively, and converse clearly across a multitude of issues. These classes feature an extended class time to facilitate longer, deeper discussions of literary and historical themes. Currently, our classes are grouped into two sections each on a two year cycle.
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Man is made by God with both a body and a soul, and we can glorify Him through the labors of both our minds and our hands. In a world where trade skills are increasingly scarce, Holy Trinity’s Industrial Arts program aims to honor the spirit of St. Joseph the Worker, fostering the work of the hands. We strive to encourage creativity, practical skills, and respect for the dignity of work in all of our students. We foster values of craftsmanship, work ethic, and integrity, as we work to develop students into adept problem solvers, meaningful contributors to their community, and faithful followers of God in their vocations. St. Joseph, pray for us!
Note: These courses are currently unavailable for the '24-'25 school year. These or similar courses will be made available after the hiring of necessary faculty members.
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Mathematics is the study of numbers and proportionality. People may argue about whether its principles are discovered or invented, but the ability of the language of mathematics to consistently and accurately describe our world is remarkable. Considering this, the famous astronomer Galileo said, “Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe.” Students at Holy Trinity School will begin to understand this uniquely beautiful language in its many forms: algebra, geometry, etc. Students are required to complete courses up to and including Algebra 2.
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In the classical tradition of education, the first and most basic kind of education given to the youngest students in ancient Greece was gymnastics. This grew out of a need for the citizens of the city state to be fit and able to defend their city from its enemies. At Holy Trinity School, we physically train our bodies and treat them well not just for some martial advantage, but because we believe our bodies are a gift from God, a temple to the Holy Spirit, which we must care for. Every student must learn to develop habits of exercise and eating well in order to be a good steward of his body.
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Science is the rational, empirical study of the natural world. At Holy Trinity School, we believe that God created the universe in an ordered and intelligible manner, and gave man the capacity to understand it. Through the study of science, we ask questions about the world around us; we discover the intricate details and beautiful complexities of living organisms and the various properties of non-living things; we grow in understanding of the natural laws which govern our physical universe. Ultimately, we stand in awe and wonder at God's creation from the grand scale of outer space down to the tiniest microscopic particles.
With improved scientific understanding and advancement of technology, we can better fulfill the charge given to Adam in the garden to"fill the earth and subdue it," not in a manner merely to wield power over our fellow man or over nature itself, but in a way that leads properly to the flourishing of humanity. Science must not be taught in an intellectual vacuum, but must coincide with instruction in the humanities and theology, allowing the complementarity of faith and reason to jointly form in the mind of a student a proper understanding of man and his place in the order of the cosmos.
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Theology is known as the “Queen of the Sciences.” It is truly a science because theological knowledge is certain in its principles, and it is the highest of the sciences because its object is God himself. Students in Theology class will learn Catholic doctrines and practices, as well as Church history, popular devotions, and prayers. The classes focus on Scripture and Tradition as the two primary means of Divine Revelation. Currently, our theology program is grouped in two sections, 9-10th grade, and 11-12th grade, with each group on a two-year cycle.
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