Idaeon is one classical salon-style class that provides 2.5 high school credits.

Pronounced “ee-DAY-un,” the name comes from a portmanteau of the two Latin words "idea" and "aeon." Together, this class title describes what it is we ultimately do: seek to understand the great ideas that span time.

Why Humanities?

The humanities are the study of what it means to be human. In a true liberal arts education, the humanities liberate a person in order to exercise their fullest potential—to be who they were created to be. A true study of the humanities also helps rightly order our thinking and understand the true telos of both human persons and the created world.

Why Classical?

The long tradition of classical education has emphasized the seeking after of truth, goodness, and beauty and learning from those who’ve gone before us. It’s a path tried and proven for millennia, and we see no reason not to give credence to, as G.K. Chesterton put it, the “democracy of the dead.” It’s through this timeless wisdom that forms an ennobled person who benefits the culture.

Why Salon?

From the 17th to early 20th centuries in Europe, salons were an important place for exchanging ideas. Officially "a gathering of people held by an inspiring host," members aimed to increase their knowledge and participate in convivial conversation. Led socratically by a seasoned adult, salons today provide the just-right scholé environment for mature adolescents who love to learn.

An a la carté class offered at Scholé Hall in Georgetown, Texas.

Let’s Learn Together!

In Idaeon, your 9th through 12th graders will study the history of Western civilization through great works and ideas. After reading deeply (mostly from direct sources), they will respond to these ideas through composition, discussion, debates, and presentations.

By participating in the salon, your student will practice the skills of timeless liberal arts such as Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric while earning credit through an integrated humanities class. As such, the class will provide exercise and experience in self-management and study skills.

p.s. Students should note that in the spirit of true scholé, snacks, both the bringing and consuming of, are involved.

For 9th-12th graders*

* however, most enrolled students are freshmen & sophomores

2.5 possible credits earned through Idaeon:

  • Literature & Composition (1 English credit)

  • History or Civics (1 Social Studies credit)

  • Logic or Rhetoric (1/2 Philosophy or Elective credit) OR

  • Artist & Composer Study (1/2 Fine Arts or Elective credit)

    Note: It is up to you, the homeschooling parent, to determine which credits you’ll grant on your student’s transcript. For the 2024-25 school year, I recommend American or Modern English Literature, American or Modern History, and either Informal Logic or Philosophy as an elective.

Idaeon’s 3-Year Cycle

As an integrated humanities program, Idaeon uses a chronological timeline as the “spine” to lead us through great books and ideas:

  • A: The Ancient - Medieval Worlds (5000 B.C. - 1300 A.D.)

  • B: The Renaissance - Early Modern Worlds (1300 - 1850)

  • C: The Modern World & American (1850 - present)

- your student may join in at any cycle -

2024-25 School Year Plan: Cycle C

The Victorian Era. Civil Wars. Mass immigration and industry. Great World Wars. A Cold War. The ends of empires and the beginning of a global technological age. It's hard to fathom how much change we see from the mid-19th century to today. Let's discover it together, shall we?

Through authors and thinkers, we'll explore the biggest events, ideas, and movements that shaped the world in the past 170 years. Be prepared to read widely and well, write precisely and cogently, and discuss all these things in a room of encouraging peers. With snacks, of course.

You’ll work hard, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

For specific supplies & book lists for the 2024-25 school year, please reference the most updated handbook.

Meet the Teacher

Hi! I'm Tsh Oxenreider, but most students call me Mrs. O. I’ve homeschooled my three teenagers for years (one of whom is already in college), and when I'm not chasing our backyard chickens back into their coop, I'm usually penning my newsletter or next book.

Please note: I teach as a Christian adhering to the historic, universal Christian faith and affirming the Nicene Creed as a faithful summary of the faith, as well as the necessity of Christian unity as Jesus explicitly prayed (John 17:20-23). When we read the Bible in Idaeon, we treat it as historic literature. It should be expected that the teaching in my classes will reflect a Christian worldview, but the only requirements of my students are a good attitude, a willingness to learn, a motivated work ethic, and respect toward others.

FAQ

  • Students come having done all their work in advance, prepared for a discussion-led class with their peers. Generally speaking, we spend half the class time unpacking and discussing the homework from the week, usually including a Socratic discussion on the current class reading (and often some sort of student presentation). The other half typically includes new content in preparation for the next week's work at home.

  • On average, students will read roughly 50-100 pages, write several paragraphs, and prepare some sort of work for in-class participation every week. In addition, they will keep a Commonplace Book full of quotes and a Book of Centuries timeline. In class, students will actively participate in a Socratic-style book and/or great events discussion, write brief freewrite entries, and participate in peer editing.

    Remember: this one class is two-and-a-half classes' worth of credit, so we're doing lots of learning with nearly half the work! Yes, students work hard in this class. But the effort is worth it.

  • For specific supplies & book lists for the 2024-25 school year, please reference the most updated handbook.

  • It is up to you, the homeschooling parent, to determine which credits you’ll grant on your student’s transcript. For the 2024-25 school year, I recommend English, American or Modern History, and either Informal Logic or Philosophy as an elective.

  • A: Signing up for a class with me is a commitment. I offer a penalty-free cancellation for three weeks so students and parents can get a feel for the course. After this, if you decide to transfer, move, or drop the class, you must pay half of the full year’s remaining tuition. Without this policy, I cannot keep smaller classes profitable or beneficial. Thank you for understanding!

  • Roughly 20.1 miles per hour.

  • I’d assume so! Head here for my class rules FAQs, and accommodations policies. (A full handbook will be sent following class enrollment.)

“Tradition means giving a vote to most obscure of all classes: our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead.”

- G.K. Chesterton