In an era where answers come in seconds and complex ideas are frequently reduced to short summaries, how do we ready young minds to transcend shallow comprehension and seriously engage with the core principles that have molded our society? At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, we are convinced that the solution is to return to the original: a disciplined study of primary texts. This is the heartbeat of a classical liberal arts education. It is a transformative endeavor that nurtures intellectual freedom and fosters virtuous character, ultimately empowering students to serve as both critical thinkers and responsible citizens.

The Struggle: Finding Our Way Through a Flood of Secondary Accounts

Too frequently, contemporary education hinges on textbooks and other people’s analyses, unintentionally severing students from the very insights, controversies, and discoveries that make up the bedrock of human wisdom. Consequently, many learners grow accustomed to being told what to believe, rather than how to think for themselves. When parents look for a premier college prep school in Utah County, what they often hope for is a college preparatory education that is not only challenging but goes beyond mere memorization. They want their children to be encouraged to grapple directly with difficult concepts and develop a more personal understanding. A student who does not have the chance to read primary sources is denied vital opportunities to discover truth and evaluate arguments and develop intellectual charity in our modern world filled with facts.

Our Belief: Truth Discovered by Living with Great People

Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy holds strongly to the belief that an education based on primary sources is the best way to prepare our students for life. As a pioneer in classical charter schools in Utah, we lead our students to read, discuss, and analyze the original texts of history, literature, and philosophy. We do not let them skim through the Great Book of the world; we want them to dive into it. We don’t just talk about what Socrates and Lincoln were saying; we read what they wrote and what other people thought about them. Students do not get secondhand knowledge about Shakespeare; they read Shakespeare; they don’t get to read Euclid; they read the Elements. This is what happens with Socratic Seminar, which requires a lot of thought and effort from the students, as the goal is for students to be involved in a continuous conversation about ideas and values, which develops critical skills and builds the virtue in a classical school education in Utah.

The Student: Experiencing the Minds of the Ancients

Think of a history class in which students analyze and debate the original transcripts of Lincoln’s speeches and debates. Imagine a literature class in which students are reading Homer, discussing the story of The Odyssey, and analyzing the virtues of courage and home. At Maeser, students learn to use critical thinking skills to analyze, interpret, argue, and defend original works. When students read and engage with primary sources, they are learning about historical events and concepts in a deeper and more meaningful way than when using secondary sources. This is a way of exercising intellectual discipline and learning critical thinking skills. In reading primary texts, students will learn to differentiate between different kinds of arguments, understand the importance of context, and appreciate the complexities of ideas. At Maeser, whether it’s translating Latin in a Latin class, or analyzing founding documents in a Capstone class, students are challenged to use critical thinking skills to solve problems, understand issues, and develop an appreciation for the past that leads to a deeper understanding of the present.

Impact in Community: A Community of Engaged Minds

The focus on primary source work is evident at every level of our charter high school in Utah County. It shapes an atmosphere where open debate, open discussion, and the search for truth are welcomed in a community. Students learn to explain their points of view and listen to other points of view respectfully in order to make adjustments where appropriate. This approach to teaching goes far beyond the schoolyard, creating a community in which discussion and respect are valued. As a result, our Maeser graduates become not just well-read, but articulate, influential, and prepared to participate as a voice of reason wherever they might choose to make their lives.

Evidence of Excellence: Our Graduates Prepared for Intellectual Leadership

Our graduates, who have experienced the classical approach to education, are exceptional. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 charter high school in Utah. Our students have an average SAT of 1330. Our graduation rate is greater than 95%. But the real impact of our classical program shows in the intellectual freedom that our graduates enjoy, the strong ethical codes by which they choose to live, and their genuine readiness for a college experience in a world of information overload and thoughtful citizenship. They are wanted by college admissions departments because our graduates know how to evaluate new information and will not be intimidated by its power. They can apply the wisdom and virtue that our program encourages to new subjects so that they are ready to be leaders. This makes us the best education near me for families who value deep learning and character formation.

Want to Explore a More Meaningful Experience?

In short, if you are looking for a classical education to challenge students to think for themselves, to engage them with the wisdom of ages past, and to instill in them the virtues necessary to make a difference in the lives of others, please consider Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy. Let us empower your students to become independent thinkers and virtuous leaders who can discover truth for themselves through primary sources! Learn more about enrollment at Maeser to get started now!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a primary source and how is it used in the classroom? A primary source is an original document or other object created during the period being studied. Examples would include a diary, letter, speech, or philosophical text. These primary sources might also include a treatise on law, an early scientific observation, a political cartoon, a religious icon, or other artifacts. In the classrooms at Maeser, students read and discuss the original text rather than reading secondary sources, that is, textbooks or other interpretations of the primary source.
2. How does engaging students with these ancient texts equip them for modern challenges? Through a rigorous and thoughtful encounter with the ideas and problems presented in the primary texts, our students develop timeless and universal skills such as critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication skills. They learn to ask enduring questions about the human experience; they become well-versed in the ideas and opinions of others; and they learn to defend their own views in a way that demonstrates wisdom, reason, and compassion. Our graduates are not limited to these subjects. Rather, these skills are easily transferred to other fields and provide a solid grounding for their success.
3. Does your study of primary sources limit the curriculum? No. Through our integrated curriculum, students study primary sources across disciplines such as history, literature, science, and philosophy. Students read many texts from many different areas. Rather than limiting their study, the primary source approach provides a broad and coherent study, and reveals the connections between all the subjects.
4. What is the Socratic method and how is it different? The Socratic method is a method of teaching through the asking and answering of questions that stimulate critical thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. This form of teaching is ideally suited for studying the primary source. The Socratic method helps students to think through a text and articulate their own opinions. It encourages them to engage respectfully with the interpretations of others in their class.
5. Is it too difficult for my child? The study of the primary sources can be difficult, and our experienced, dedicated faculty work hard to support their students’ engagement with primary sources. We do not simply expect our students to engage with the texts on their own, but we actively provide support to help them develop their own reading and analytical skills. Our goal is for every student at Maeser Preparatory to grow as a learner and to develop a love of primary sources!