RHETORIC SCHOOL (9TH-12TH)
In the Rhetoric school, students develop eloquence, poise, diction, and presence. But even more importantly, they practice presenting their knowledge truthfully, humbly inviting listeners to consider and embrace both what is said and the pursuit of truth that led to it. Doing so enables them to fill positions of leadership in any endeavor – in the sciences, humanities, business, politics, or the arts.
Much learning occurs around oval Harkness tables in discussion, and sometimes debate, with one another and teachers. Sophomores present five minute memorized declamations (famous speeches, portions of Scripture, or passages from the great literature) before an audience of peers, parents, teachers, and friends. Each senior publically presents and defends a thesis they wrote over the course of a year.
In math and science courses students learn to express their understanding of difficult concepts through words, as well as through successful calculation and experiment. Students examine the tradition of art, history, literature, theology, and philosophy chronologically, recognizing the “Great Conversation” of the ages, and considering what it means to participate in it.
The classes are rigorous, but not just for the sake of being hard. We cannot articulate more than we understand, and we cannot understand that with which we have not wrestled. Such effort is unavoidable because our world is complex and challenging. And it is in desperate need of the type of graduates Agathos seeks to produce: Good people who speak well.
Where do graduates go after Agathos?
As of May 2025, Agathos Classical School has 105 alumni who have pursued a wide range of paths after graduation
- 49% have attended public universities or colleges such as the University of Alabama – Huntsville, Tennessee Tech, the University of Tennessee (Chattanooga, Knoxville, Martin), University of Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State University, Western Kentucky University, University of Kentucky, and Columbia State, among many others.
- 46% have chosen private colleges and universities,including Yale, Notre Dame, Wheaton, Belmont, Union, Lee, Lipscomb, Baylor, Covenant College, Moody Bible Institute, Samford, The Cooper Union–New York City Art School, Freed-Hardeman, The Citadel, Trevecca Nazarene University, Aveda Institute Nashville, and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, among others.
- 4% have gone directly into the workforce.
Agathos graduates have studied everything from engineering and fine arts to theology and classical education. They’ve enrolled at institutions across the country—and even internationally—such as the American University of Rome. This diverse list reflects the breadth of calling and preparation Agathos students carry with them into the world. Soli Deo Gloria.