The Story of
Five Cities
Explore the roots of American order through a Great Books curriculum designed for junior high.
Explore the Roots of American Order
With an Engaging and Accessible
Great Books Curriculum for 6th – 8th Grades.
Inspired by Russel Kirk’s masterpiece, The Roots of American Order, The Story of Five Cities is a three-year humanities curriculum exploring the Western tradition through the narrative of the five cities that Kirk identifies as forming the foundation of American culture: Athens, Jerusalem, Rome, London, and Philadelphia. Through a Great Books approach, The Story of Five Cities leads students through the great stories, great texts, and great works of art that have shaped the narrative running through the center of those five cultures and culminates in the American tradition.
The American Tradition
Following the work of conservative leader Russell Kirk, the curriculum instills respect for the timeless ideas of the American tradition.
The Great Books Method
The curriculum explores history and culture through the great books, great stories, and great art of those cultures.
Junior High Focused
Shaped by years of experience in many 6th-8th grade classrooms, this curriculum brings the Great Books tradition alive for junior high students.
A Coherent Narrative
Focusing on the stories of the five ‘cities’ that shaped the American tradition, the curriculum presents history as coherent narrative.
The Five Cities That Shaped the American Tradition
Athens
Rome
London
Jerusalem
Philadelphia
“It is so hard to find a curriculum that opens the Great Books tradition to junior high students. The Story of Five Cities has finally done it with an engaging and coherent approach.”
– Kelly, 7th and 8th Grade Humanities