What is KONOS?

The word “KONOS” is the Greek word for “cone” representing a biblical worldview. The inverted cone symbolizes God at the top of all life, not just “religious” life. His influence is seen both in direct creation (natural and physical sciences, geography, mathematical principles) and in His design of humans who produce philosophy, history, art, music, literature, technology, and law. Therefore, to be well educated is to have a liberal arts education from God’s perspective.

KONOS ACADEMY

Home-schooled students attend KONOS one day per week. Highly qualified teachers guide them through a year’s worth of curriculum with at-home activities.

See KONOS KIDS (grades 4-6)
See KONOS JUNIORS (grades 7-8)
See KONOS ACADEMY (grades 9-12)

THE CONTENT

Every subject is taught from a biblical perspective and in an inter-disciplinary way as much as possible. Students receive individual subject grades, but their curriculum crosses the boundaries of subjects. For example, when studying the Frontiersmen, students learn the geography of the West, read biographies such as Davy Crockett, take nature walks to track animals, sing “Davy Crockett,” make coonskin caps, and write a first-person journal.

THE METHODS

Though KONOS is similar to other college-preparatory schools in the classical content, KONOS is distinct in stressing methods consistent with being created in God’s image. God has formed children according to a particular design and development. KONOS is noted for engaging students, not just giving them information. Their whole-hearted participation actually transforms them, not just prepares them for tests. (See more in The KONOS Way.)

THE CURRICULUM

The KONOS CURRICULUM was written by Carole Thaxton and Jessica Hulcy incorporating the above principles (see www.konos.com).

SUPPLEMENTARY COURSES

See Other Courses.

THE FOUNDERS

After meeting at L'Abri and marrying in 1971, Charles and Carole incorporated KONOS, Inc. as a teaching, training, counseling center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After moving to Dallas, where Charles worked with Probe Ministries, the Thaxtons resolved to teach their own children according to the KONOS model of incorporating academic subjects with character development and called their homeschool KONOS ACADEMY. Carole Thaxton and Jessica Hulcy co-authored the popular KONOS CURRICULUM UNIT STUDIES (see www.konos.com). While teaching and counseling at the Julian Center in Julian, California, Charles continued to speak to thousands of university students throughout the world. Meanwhile, Carole spoke at hundreds of conferences about how to teach the KONOS way while teaching their own children and leading homeschool co-ops.

Charles' first book The Mystery of Life's Origin (Thaxton, Bradley, Olsen) was translated into Romanian in 1986, which led to his grand entrance into the university lecture halls of Romania after their revolution. Translation of The Mystery of Life's Origin and later The Soul of Science (co-authored with Nancy Pearcey) into several Eastern European languages led to extensive travel throughout Eastern Europe. The Thaxton family decided to reside in Prague for six years for more intensive ministry within the most atheistic country in Europe — the Czech Republic. Carole's forte of education and counseling prepared her not only for homeschooling their own sons but in founding the KONOS ACADEMY OF PRAGUE, an English-speaking Christian worldview school, and for counseling English-speaking families living abroad on parenting and education issues. After Charles' radical cancer and subsequent amputation, the Thaxtons moved to Fayetteville, GA, still traveling overseas occasionally.

CHARLES THAXTON, Ph.D., received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Iowa State University and completed post-doctoral work in the history of science at Harvard University and molecular biology at Brandeis University. Presently, he holds a visiting faculty position at Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. He is co-author of The Mystery of Life's Origin and The Soul of Science, and contributor to several books and journals. He has lectured widely in universities throughout the U.S., Europe, Russia, and Asia. His specialty is issues in science/faith relationship and the history and philosophy of science.

While in graduate school, Charles received his first intelligent attacks against biblical truth. "Could the Bible be trusted with real answers? If so, how could these answers be communicated to those in academia who were so antagonistic and uninformed about true Christianity?" He has spent his life practicing, applying, and teaching others how. He is currently lecturing both in the States and abroad, where he holds a faculty post at Charles University. See articles he has written at www.discovery.org

CAROLE THAXTON, M.S., yearned for truth while president of her class at Beaver College. Because of so many preconceived ideas, she resisted Christianity as the answer until she dared to face God to inquire "What is really true?" As a convinced and committed Christian, she received her B.A. degree in biology and education and later her master's degree in counseling from Syracuse University. Carole's interest in whole person development led her to further academic training in child development and various additional counseling courses. Before meeting Charles at L'Abri, she worked as a professional counselor at the Devereux Foundation, a residential treatment center for the emotionally disturbed. She has counseled, taught, and supervised in a variety of educational/developmental settings (residential treatment center, public school, private school, international school, homeschool, and parent cooperatives). As co-author of KONOS CURRICULUM UNIT STUDIES series and author of Learn to Write the Novel Way and Write Your Roots, she has extensive experience in curriculum development, education resources, teacher training, and whole person development, which she uses to encourage parents and educators. In the Atlanta area she founded and directs KONOS ACADEMY, KONOS JUNIORS and KONOS KIDS and leads seminars for homeschooling parents. Charles and Carole are the primary teachers of KONOS ACADEMY.

We believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.

The Apostles' Creed

KONOS CONNECTION is a non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization. Our focus has been within the academic community, giving a well-reasoned perspective on the relationship between Christianity and the various academic disciplines. Our goal is to teach His truth, His way.