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About

The Highlands Latin Cottage School is located on the campus of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Nassau Bay, TX (Clear Lake). The school meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 – 3:30 and students are offered a complete Classical Core. Classes are in session for 33 weeks beginning mid-August and ending before Memorial Day.

Courses are taught by knowledgeable, enthusiastic, well-qualified teachers, and class size is kept to a minimum teacher to student ratio, typically around ten to one. All instruction is provided in-class, with independent work being completed at home on the remaining days.

Contact either of the co-directors, Angela Rimington or Demree Jennings by phone or email or through the interest form.  

Contact

Address: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church – Student Center 18220 Upper Bay Road Houston, Texas 77058 (Nassau Bay) Email: Angela Rimington: angela@highlandslatin.org | Demree Jennings: demree@highlandslatin.org

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Course Offerings

Latin

Latin instruction (along with math and music) is a key subject of study in our program and is prioritized in our curriculum and in our schedule. In the primary years (K-2) students at Highlands are exposed to Latin though the memorization of nursery rhymes. This helps our youngest pupils identify with one of the most significant aspects of our school culture – that all Highlanders study Latin from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Beginning in 3rd grade, students pursue a more formal study of Latin that continues through the rhetoric years with the translation of portions of the Vulgate, Caesar and some Virgil.  Students also sit for the National Latin Exam in the upper grades.

Mathematics and Music

No classical education is complete without instruction in these two disciplines. Therefore, just as math is compulsory in our program, so is choir. Our students are proud to be known as the students who sing! Our music teachers lead Highlanders to use the instrument God gave them, their voice, with confidence and skill. Students sing in Latin, and they also sing sacred, patriotic, and American folk music in English as well. All math instruction is first period in the day. This allows students in all grade levels to attend the math they need and not simply the math being taught in their grade. For grades K-6 we use books from the publisher Rod and Staff. Beyond 6th grade, classes are available in pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2 with Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus and publishers vary by class.

Literature

At every grade level, beginning in primary school, students read classic works of literature.  In the upper grades, students will study 3-4 literary pieces closely as part of their English curriculum.  We use well-loved, time-tested literature such as: Little House in the Big Woods, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Charlotte’s Web, Cricket in Times Square, Heidi, Lassie Come Home, Adam of the Road, Ann of Green Gables, Treasure Island, To Kill a Mocking Bird, and many, many more. In grades 3-7 students also study poetry that compliments literature and other areas of study using an anthology.  Beginning in 8th grade, students explore collections of poetry, short stories, and dramas that are related by time period.

Writing

It is not enough for students to be wise, they should also be eloquent, so that they can share what they know for the glory of the Lord.  Therefore, students begin a careful study of the English language early on and writing is a key area of emphasis across all subject areas. Students not only learn excellent academic (format) writing skills, they also study the Progymnasmata from 4th – 12th grades. The Progym is an ancient method of learning to think through writing that really leads to the development of superior skills in rhetoric. This informative article from Memoria Press helps explain the scope and the purpose of the progymnasmata.

Science

Science in the primary and grammar stage years is focused on nature study and the natural world. Beginning in 3rd grade, the aim is to teach students how to learn about a topic in-depth rather than to survey many subjects while only scratching the surface of each. To this end, topics are narrowly focused instead of being survey courses and include:

  • Mammals (3rd)
  • Birds (4th)
  • Insects (5th)
  • Trees – Botany (6th)

In the logic years, students begin a broader study of science disciplines while still focusing on key areas so that depth and not breadth remains the practice.

  • Astronomy and Earth Science (7th)
  • Anatomy and Physiology – Three Key Systems (8th)
  • Physical Science: Key Physics and Chemistry Principles (9th)

In the rhetoric years students study the more advanced sciences.  Instructors are experts in their field:

  • Biology (9+)
  • Chemistry (10+)
  • Physics (11+)
  • Marine Biology (10+, elective, offered as needed)
  • Anatomy and Physiology (11+, elective, offered as needed)
Classical Studies and Modern and American History

The study of the history of the ancient world (especially Greece and Rome) and of American history and the modern geography of our world are some of our most exciting classes.  Students engage in a close examination of the cultures that were influential in the formation of our Western society.  They also read literary works and primary sources from these time periods and cultures. Texts are carefully chosen and pacing is slow and deliberate so that students are sure to be learning to mastery.

HLS Houston Uniform Policy 

Our dress code is simple and straightforward. We believe that how students dress has the potential to directly impact learning for all. We request the following:

  • Bottoms: Students may wear khaki or navy pants, Bermuda shorts (no jeans, spandex leggings, or athletic wear). Girls may also wear “skorts” / scooters, jumper dresses, or polo style dresses in either khaki or navy.
  • Tops: Students may wear navy, light blue, or white polo shirts. Students may also wear a white Peter Pan collar blouse (girls) / white button-down shirt (boys). Short and long sleeves are both okay. Square bottomed shirts may be worn untucked. If shirts are tucked in, students should wear a dark, solid colored belt.
  • Clothes may be purchased at any retailer selected by the family. There will also be an account established with French Toast for the convenience of parents, and a Highlands Latin Cottage School – Houston polo shirt with our crest will be available for purchase.

HLS Houston Code of Conduct 

  • Students should come to Highlands Latin Cottage School-Houston ready to be a productive member of the learning community.
  • Students are expected to demonstrate quiet, calm, positive, polite classroom behavior.
  • All will honor the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) and commit, to the best of his or her ability, to completing all work as if working for the Lord (Colossians 3:23).
  • When not in class, students will conduct themselves in a way that is a positive reflection of the high standards we uphold as members of the greater Highlands Latin School community.