The classical junior cycle
Secondary School
A four-year classical junior cycle leading to Cambridge IGCSE examinations, followed by a two-year senior programme culminating in the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Overview
Formation for life, not just training for work
Liberal and classical education emphasises the joy of learning for the sake of understanding what is True, what is Beautiful and what is Good. The curriculum benchmarks to international standardised examinations — Cambridge IGCSE, DELF and TEG — but never at the expense of time for learning, reading, praying and thinking, which are uniquely available to the student at this pivotal moment in his or her life.
The twin pillars of philosophy and theology frame the other subjects and provide the context for a holistic education where the work of God the Creator pervades every aspect of human life: language, science, culture and the arts. As Saint John Henry Newman noted, a liberal education "brings the mind into form — for the mind is like the body."
The four-year classical junior cycle paves the way to the two-year senior programme, culminating in the Irish Leaving Certificate examination.
Years 1–4
The classical junior cycle, following the same Trivium of learning as students at Mater Dei Academy. First, Second and Third Year open for September 2026; Fourth Year opens in September 2027.
End of Year 4
Students sit the Cambridge IGCSE exams in Sciences, English, Maths and Latin, the DELF exam in French and the TEG exam in Irish.
Years 5–6
Fifth and Sixth Year are dedicated to preparation for the Irish Leaving Certificate.
Our approach
Learning that hangs together
The teaching of history, literature and art is carefully intertwined. Our First Year programme has a Greco-Roman theme: students read The Children's Homer and Julius Caesar in English literature, learn about ancient Greece and Rome in history, and investigate Greek architecture and Roman mosaic in art — so the student can make logical connections between themes and ideas from history.
The teaching of English grammar, Latin and Irish grammar is similarly linked: sentence diagramming in English directly helps students master Irish and Latin. And the study of Logic informs the student's understanding in mathematics and grammar.
Learn to think
Students study Logic in Second and Third Year, before studying Philosophy in Fourth Year. Through Logic the student develops the skills of critical thinking to make sound judgements and arrive at the Truth in all areas of life.
Socratic Seminar
The Mater Dei Education Socratic Seminar series "Time to Think" provides thought-provoking themes, stories and biographies that support learning across the junior cycle and enrich the homeschooled student's learning experience.
Irish curriculum
Through the study of the Irish language, Irish history and Irish literature, students learn about their culture, language and heritage.
Irish history, chronologically
History is taught chronologically from earliest times to modern Ireland. The junior cycle history programme is dominated by Irish history — a significant advantage for the student taking Irish at Leaving Certificate.
Spiral method
In English and Irish grammar, and in mathematics, key threshold concepts are constantly revised and reinforced by returning (spiraling) to them in a methodical way.
International benchmarks
The curriculum benchmarks to the IGCSE, DELF and TEG examinations, giving students internationally recognised qualifications at the end of the junior cycle.
How it works
Lesson plans
Electronic detailed lesson plans are provided to all enrolled families — a breath of fresh air for the busy homeschooling parent. They encourage autonomous work: all the work is laid out for 5 days a week, 32 weeks a year, and the plans are entirely flexible. The first part of the lesson plans explains how to teach using each book and is filled with pedagogical insights.
- 5-days-a-week daily lesson plans
- Flexible — adapt them to your family's week
- Available on our App and our parent portal
- Personalised to suit the level of your child in every subject
- Irish and Latin recordings of all of the Irish and Latin language material
- Pre-recorded video lessons in English grammar, science, maths and literature
- First Year suggested timetable
- Pedagogical insights throughout
Enrolled families access their personalised lesson plans and recordings through the parent portal on our current site.
Curriculum
The junior cycle, subject by subject
Our four-year junior cycle provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to liberal education in the classical tradition.
Theology
To know oneself is to know the One who created you. The Theology programme combines Sacred Scripture and doctrinal formation — from the Patriarchs and the Prophets in Years I and II, through the Four Gospels and apologetics in Year III, to the History of the Church, universal and Irish, in Year IV.
Philosophy
Inspired by over two millennia of classical teaching, students learn not simply about philosophy but how to do it: the fundamental questions of existence in Year I; Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and Aquinas in Year II; the impact of ideas on society in Year III; and political philosophy in Year IV.
Gaeilge
A comprehensive six-year Irish programme in the classical tradition, culminating in the Leaving Certificate. The four-year junior cycle combines a sound basis in grammar with entertaining literature and current affairs, building from spoken confidence to mastery of the written word. Mar a deirtear, "Is fearr Gaeilge bhriste ná Béarla cliste."
History
Taught chronologically across the four years — the Ancient World, the Christian World, the Renaissance World, and the Modern World — with Irish history woven throughout, from our Celtic forefathers to Ireland's troubled twentieth century.
- I: The Ancient World
- II: The Christian World
- III: The Renaissance World
- IV: The Modern World
English
A fundamental introduction to grammar and writing, alongside a rich mix of works from Irish and international authors and poets. The literature programme follows the history programme through the same four eras, from the great heroes of ancient literature to the modern novel.
- I: The Ancient World
- II: The Christian World
- III: The Renaissance World
- IV: The Modern World
Latin
Latin is the fundamental cornerstone of modern European languages and the language of the Church. Our goal is not to produce translators, but readers of Latin who love the language — progressing over four years from first grammar to reading primary texts in the original.
French
One of the great cultural and literary languages of the West — the language of the fille aînée de l'Église. French begins in Second Year, after a foundation in basic Latin grammar, and the rich Christian heritage of France is woven naturally into the study of the language. At the end of Fourth Year students may sit either the DELF examination or the French IGCSE.
Mathematics
From Galileo's "language in which God has written the universe" to the Leaving Certificate: Algebra in Year I, Geometry in Year II, Trigonometry in Year III and Pre-calculus in Year IV, forming the mind in logical deduction and preparing for the sciences.
- I: Algebra
- II: Geometry
- III: Trigonometry
- IV: Pre-calculus
Science
A foundational understanding of the four fundamental sciences in a logical learning programme: Earth and Space science (geography, geology, astronomy and oceanography), then Biology, Chemistry and Physics — each studied as a window into the order and beauty of God's creation.
- I: Earth and Space
- II: Biology
- III: Chemistry
- IV: Physics
Art
Appreciation and perspective for all students irrespective of artistic ability: the elements of art and drawing in Year I; Celtic and Christian art in Year II; the Renaissance masters in Year III; and the Modern era in Year IV — equipping students to engage with and transform the culture they have inherited.
What you'll need
Book lists
Each year has its own book list for the school year. Download the list for your child's year, and order the books through our Bookstore.
A classical junior cycle, an internationally recognised result
From the classical Trivium to Cambridge IGCSE — and on to the Leaving Certificate.