Nicole French has homeschooled her two children for eleven years. Prior to her family's involvement with Libertas Academic Collaborative, the French family was part of the Tallahassee Classical Conversations community where Nicole worked with elementary school and high school students. Graduating in 1995, Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Florida. The French family are members at Four Oaks Community Church's Killearn Campus. Nicole is an avid lover of literature, history, and coffee.





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Ms. Wright is a graduate student at Florida State University and a mathematics tutor at FSU's Academic Success Center, tutoring undergraduate students.

​Melissa Jordan has spent the last eleven years homeschooling her four children and the last six years tutoring with Classical Conversations. She worked with students in Foundations for three years and tutored Essentials of the English Language for the last three years.


She and her husband, Jeff, attend Four Oaks Community Church with their family. They are actively involved with missions efforts and volunteering with several non-profit organizations around Tallahassee.

Electives alternate yearly, these courses may not be offered next year.

Bible and Theology
Biblical Studies - Ethics, Apologetics, and Hermeneutics - (Track 2 - 2025-26)
This class will walk through Christian ethics, beliefs, and how to defend and uphold them against common attacks in the world today. In doing so we will focus on how we interpret what Scripture says about these topics. The end goal is to equip students to better interact with and apply God's word in our own lives and the lives of others.

This is the break down over a 4 year cycle:

Track 1 – Biblical Survey - Dust to Glory (2024-25)
Track 2 – Biblical Studies - Ethics, Apologetics, and Hermeneutics (2025-36)
Track 3 – History of Christianity (2026-27)
Track 4 - Theology - Biblical, Systematic, and Covenant (2027-28)
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Geography and World Cultures (7th-9th)
In this middle school class, students will learn the countries, important cities, and particular features of each continent and so much more! We will study the interesting people who inhabit these countries and their cultures - the food they eat, the games they play, and the dangers they face. Learning about and praying for unreached people groups will be a focus. Through the study of climates, populations, economies, time zones, languages, and more, students will gain experience with map reading using an atlas. This class will also help prepare any student who would like to participate in the National Geo Bee. 


Speech, Debate, and Mock Trial (7th-9th)
This course will teach logic by using the skills involved in speech and debate. In this class students learn how to conduct informal and formal debates, but also how to develop good arguments by using solid logic and the resources available in their own thinking as well as the world around them. Students will employ the techniques of logic and rhetoric, such as the common topics of definition, comparison, relationship, circumstance, and testimony. Additional study of ethos, pathos, and style is also included, as well as a study of debate arrangement.

This will be combined with curriculum from Florida Law Related Education – through which students will prepare to argue a court case in the group’s annual Middle School Mock Trial Competition, as well as participating locally in a mock trial with another home school group.

AMERICAN GOVERNMENT / CIVICS
High School Elective
American Government (Fall) and Civics (Spring)- Using Hillsdale College’s curriculum as a spine for our high school level course, we will spend the Fall semester discovering the foundations and systems of our American Government using the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and additional significant essays and writings. Along with those discussions, we will investigate other major forms of government found around the world and compare/contrast them to that of the United States. In the Spring, we will continue our studies, once again using Hillsdale’s curriculum, primary documents, and noteworthy speeches as we focus on Civics and explore our role in a “...government of the people, by the people, for the people….” During the spring semester we will also discuss political parties, the Electoral College, state and local governments, foreign and domestic policies, along with investigating civil rights and liberties. Since 2022 is a midterm election year, we will follow and discuss Current Election Events and the ensuing transitions of power from the national through local levels while practicing civil discourse and respect for those with differing opinions. In addition, questions on Civics, Government, and History from the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Test will be covered during both semesters. 
 
PRINCIPLES OF ART

We'll explore the seven elements of art - lines, shapes, color, value, texture, form and space, which are the building blocks of composition.  Students will organize these elements using the prrinciples of design through art projects, studio time , and sketchbook journals.

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
1st Semester
Introduction to Political Philosophy investigates three topics at the heart of political philosophy: the nature of man, the limits of government, and the separation of powers. Our exploration of each topic will center around a matchup between two opposing philosophers: Rousseau vs. Hobbes, Locke vs. Marx, and Plato vs. Montesquieu. Students will join the fray, debating these philosophers’ key points and grappling with weighty questions posited by their political philosophies. To prepare, students will complete light reading assignments incorporating excerpts from our six contenders plus Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Rawls. The class will culminate with a brief overview of how the Bible--especially the Mosaic Law--confronts our three main topics. Students will leave more informed voters and deeper political thinkers.

INTRODUCTION TO WESTERN PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy 1 introduces students to key philosophers, concepts, and movements in the history of Western philosophy, starting with the Greek natural philosophers of the 600’s BC and ending with the New Age craze of the 1990’s. The class format blends lecture with discussion, creating a stimulating environment where students can discuss, defend, and hopefully strengthen their faith as they grapple with the big questions that have puzzled philosophers for millennia.



GUITAR
This course teaches students how to play guitar from the ground up, focusing mainly on chords; strumming techniques; and all of the basic music theory needed to play chord charts, accompany other musicians, transpose, improvise, compose, and self-teach. Students will practice at least 90 songs in class and at home using the instructor’s original YouTube tutorials. The instructor will also provide written lessons, access to hundreds of additional chord charts, opportunities to practice outside of class, and other supplemental resources which students may elect to use at their own pace. In class, students will enjoy one-on-one attention from both the instructor and at least one teacher’s aide (depending on class size). Students of all levels will learn from this course’s unique approach to chord theory, and even the most advanced students will dramatically expand their song repertoires by participating. This is a full year class, semester 1 will focus on beginning guitar (Guitar 1) and semester 2 will focus on more advanced instruction (Guitar 2). Students who have taken Guitar 1 with Mr. Nicholson before are welcome to join both semesters for practice and review, or just for 2nd semester.
American Government (Fall) and Civics (Spring)- Using Hillsdale College’s curriculum as a spine for our high school level course, we will spend the Fall semester discovering the foundations and systems of our American Government using the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and additional significant essays and writings. Along with those discussions, we will investigate other major forms of government found around the world and compare/contrast them to that of the United States. In the Spring, we will continue our studies, once again using Hillsdale’s curriculum, primary documents, and noteworthy speeches as we focus on Civics and explore our role in a “...government of the people, by the people, for the people….” During the spring semester we will also discuss political parties, the Electoral College, state and local governments, foreign and domestic policies, along with investigating civil rights and liberties. Since 2022 is a midterm election year, we will follow and discuss Current Election Events and the ensuing transitions of power from the national through local levels while practicing civil discourse and respect for those with differing opinions. In addition, questions on Civics, Government, and History from the U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization Test will be covered during both semesters. 
 

Middle School Science
Science is the study of God’s created world, and we are privileged to observe all that He has made! With that in mind, students will explore God's creation through scientific inquiry, integrating faith and reason to understand the natural world, while also developing critical thinking and communication skills through hands-on experiments, presentations, and science fair projects. 

Three Year Cycle
Cycle 3 (2025-26) Earth Science / Chemistry
Cycle 1 (2026-27) Animal and Plant Biology  Human Anatomy
Cycle 2 (2027-28) Astronomy /Physics


Physical Science
    The goal of this lab is to inspire students to pursue learning about God’s order. A course designed to be taken before Biology 1, Physical Science is an overview of earth science and physics. This lively course covers atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, weather, Newton’s laws and simple physics, forces in creation, sound, light, and astrophysics. Many hands-on experiments demonstrate the topics covered. Lab time is a lecture/experiment format. Assignments and lab reports will be completed at home. Quizzes, Mid-term, and Final exams are given in lab.

Biology
Prerequisites: Concurrently with/or after Algebra 1
    The goal of this lab is to develop an awe of God’s creation of living organisms. This course is a college-prep biology course that provides a strong background in scientific classification and terminology. Studies include: biological keys, kingdoms, chemistry of life, cellular biology, genetics, creation/evolution, dissections, botany, and a crash course on human body systems. Students will dissect at minimum: clam, grasshopper, perch, earthworm, crayfish, frog, snake, spider, flowers and a mammalian eye. The students will also become proficient in using the microscope. Assignments and lab reports will be completed at home. Lab will be a lecture/experiment format. Quizzes, Mid-term, and a Final exam will be given in lab.

Chemistry
Prerequisites: Proficient in Algebra 1
    This course will follow Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Chemistry, 3rd Edition and will include the study of significant figures, units, classification, the mole concept, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, acids and basics, redox reactions, solutions, atomic structure, Lewis structures, molecular geometry, gas laws, and equilibrium. In addition, this class will focus on the application of chemical concepts in the laboratory, and a full laboratory experience will be provided, well beyond that called for by the textbook. Diligent study of this subject should prepare the student well for the study of chemistry in college. The student can expect 4 to 6 hours of homework each week, which will be routinely checked, as well as chapter tests and quizzes. In addition, two formal lab reports will be completed each semester.

Middle School (6-8) & High School (9-11) Cycles
US American Cycle - (2025-2026
Ancient Cycle - (2026-27)
Medieval Cycle - (2027-28)

MIDDLE SCHOOL OMNIBUS AND RHETORIC

The Latin word "Omnibus," meaning "for all," is an apt description of our Middle School course. In Omnibus, we will be covering the 1700s through Modern Times in chronological order. While this course will largely focus on American History, we will also study other parts of the world to explore people and events, not only through historical facts, but also through maps, literature, poetry, drama, religion, and art for a more complete view of the world. History is brought to life and literature is given context as we seek to integrate these parts into a cohesive whole. Primary source documents are used whenever possible. Biography presentations and fun semester projects will allow students to share their knowledge in creative ways.

Libertas Middle School Rhetoric classes emphasize the classical method of building up the student's reasoning and articulation skills while helping them successfully complete Omnibus themed writing assignments. Each semester the Middle School focuses on different classical forms of writing. Along with writing instruction, our focus includes filling gaps in mechanics (a sequential, thorough review of grammar, punctuation, and form), developing an appreciation and love of style, and rhetorical analysis of classic American and World Literature, along with famous speeches. Students will keep a journal, a commonplace book, and a grammar notebook. Homework will be minimal and mostly associated with Omnibus literature and primary sources. 
 
HIGH SCHOOL OMNIBUS AND RHETORIC
US American - Omnibus is a course that unites history, literature, art, and culture to gain a fuller understanding of a time period. In the 2022-2023 school year, we will study the United States, from colonization to contemporary times. In context with the experiences of God’s people during this time, students will explore American foundations through its literature, drama, poetry, art, architecture, philosophy, and historical texts. Primary sources will be used as often as possible, including those of the founding fathers. Evaluation of materials examined will come through journals, essays, projects, and semester exams, focusing on an understanding of significant ideas.
 
Rhetoric - In conjunction with Omnibus, the Rhetoric class will help students gain the skills to argue and express ideas eloquently and effectively in both written and oral formats. Through debate, writing exercises, and essays, students will respond to Omnibus material. Both the practicalities of grammar and citations as well as the beauty of well-crafted sentences will be used to aid these efforts to argue well.

SENIOR SEMINAR - MODERN OMNIBUS AND RHETORIC
Modern history examines the social, political, economic, and cultural development in the modern contemporary world in the period between the seventeenth and the twentieth century. Students will analyse key events such as revolutions, nation states, modern war, globalisation, political regimes, capitalism, totalitarianism, democracy, and communism, touching on the philosophies that brought about these ideologies. Methods of instruction will include socratic discussions, student led class discussions and more project/presentation/paper based evaluations.  In this Senior seminar, some time will be spent exploring post-high school opportunities and taking the required steps to make those things happen.
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After graduating from Florida State with a degree in Humanities, Jennifer Drury taught a variety of courses at Christ Classical Academy, beginning in 2004. Crafting Omnibus courses remains one of her favorite parts of teaching, and she loves the freedom to do so outside of traditional school. She began tutoring fellow students in math and science in the 10th grade. While tutoring homeschoolers and teaching courses for a SAT prep company during college, she realized that she loved the humanities even more than her math and science courses and changed her major from chemistry, but she never lost her love of seeing students make math connections.

Mrs. Drury has homeschooled her children and taught courses from her home for the past six years. She enjoys helping students to find truth, goodness, and beauty, along with a lot of fun, in the great books within a historical context. Along with her husband and two daughters, she loves being a member of Center Point Church, where she is the administrator.