As knowledge becomes ever more accessible, what is the purpose of learning today and how can we foster not only understanding, wisdom, and critical thinking but also a strong moral compass? There is a wide range of methods used in education to provide knowledge to students, but not all are equally effective at fostering understanding. Our education model for today seeks to answer the questions of how, what and why, and how each of those affects who and what we become.

Not Just Rote Memorization: The Maeser Academy Approach

At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, the top Classical Charter School in Utah for families interested in their child’s education, we believe in the power of the Socratic Method. This form of education is based on Karl G. Maeser’s idea that “education awakens the power within to do good.” We do not teach facts to students but instead encourage and inspire them to find those facts for themselves. We do that by asking questions. The Socratic Method of education is central to our virtue based education Utah students participate in, and is a key component of what helps us to become the best classical charter schools Utah County families can choose for their child’s education.

The Socratic Seminar: Building Minds and Character

Socratic Method, or the Socratic seminar, is essentially a dialogue where the teacher is the facilitator and the students are the ones engaged in discussion. A Socratic seminar at Maeser Academy begins with the teacher presenting a question. Students then discuss the question. They might be discussing the text of a poem or a piece of history, scientific paper or article, or a historical or fictional document. Students discuss what they read to better understand the material in front of them. This type of education and discussion not only trains students in the essential skills of college preparation schools in Utah County – critical thinking, analytical reasoning and precise communication – it teaches other skills too such as humility, and being able to express ideas with confidence, while respecting and hearing out other people’s ideas. In a Socratic seminar at Maeser, it is clear that the study of knowledge is the study of Truth, Honor, and Virtue.

A Community for the Pursuit of Truth

As we’ve already noted, the Socratic Method fosters a healthy and respectful community. The shared intellectual journey fosters relationships within the classroom community at Maeser. It also teaches a deep sense of community and encourages students to ask questions and share their thoughts on the subject matter, which is an essential tenet of our Honor Code. It is a place where students learn how to listen and respond thoughtfully, to think with one another and act with integrity, and to grow in wisdom and virtue for the service of their community. The intellectual and moral habits instilled in our students through the Socratic Method produce remarkable and visible results. Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is ranked as the number one high school in the state of Utah by U.S. News and World Report. Our graduates enter college with an average SAT score of 1330, and our graduation rate is above 95%. Our graduates are lifelong learners who possess the intellectual and moral skills to succeed in the best universities and to flourish in whatever field they choose. At Karl G. Maeser Prep, Truth, Honor, and Virtue are the guiding principles and way of life, for the purpose of producing men and women who learn to think and act wisely.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Socratic Method? The Socratic Method is a method of cooperative argumentative dialogue between individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical thinking and to draw out ideas and underlying presumptions. At Maeser, the method is our primary means of grappling with primary texts and great ideas.
2. How does the Socratic Method differ from a typical class discussion? A Socratic seminar is distinctly structured, focused and dependent upon the text. The teacher does not present information, but guides the learning with questions. Students learn how to analyze, understand and express their own meaning, based solely upon the reading itself.
3. Is the Socratic Method designed only for certain students? While the method may initially encourage students to speak openly, it is ultimately designed to encourage thoughtful participation of all. Students learn how to listen and engage in a classroom of their peers, and the small class sizes and experienced seminars make sure no student is left behind or out of a conversation. Students gain intellectual confidence to speak and defend their own understanding as they mature.
4. How can the Socratic Method build character? Socratic dialogue creates opportunities for intellectual growth and character formation that is both unique and necessary. As the class engages with great texts, the students must be willing to be humble in their own lack of understanding and courage in presenting their arguments. The practice of listening respectfully to others and disagreeing with civility, admitting wrong and revising conclusions, and pursuing the truth through cooperative inquiry are habits that contribute significantly to the development of students’ character.
5. What texts are discussed in Socratic Seminars? Our students discuss a wide variety of primary sources including great works of literature, philosophy, history, the classics of science and political thought. By engaging with “great books,” the students are challenged to wrestle with the problems and ideas that have challenged mankind for generations. To learn more about enrollment and how the Socratic Method at Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy can ignite your child’s passion for learning and build their moral character.