There are moments in every student’s journey where what is read becomes what is lived, where the principles of the ancient philosophers and the precepts of Scripture are not just understood intellectually but embodied. At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, we believe that the connection between classical learning and lived experience needs to be purposeful. And this connection is what we celebrate at Winterim.

Why Do We Need It? Why Is It Hard to Get?

Most of the time students attend school, they don’t have an idea of why what they’re learning matters and what they are supposed to do with it. Knowledge becomes stagnant unless we put it into practice.

Students’ parents expect them not only to be accepted to college. They want them to graduate from school with integrity, virtue and purpose. At Maeser, we believe that rigorous academics and moral formation go together.

What Is It? A Classical Education Model Applied to Experiential Learning

At Maeser, every January, the majority of students participate in an extended period of study that often takes the form of a one-of-a-kind course, beyond the traditional curriculum. They stay with one subject, engaging critically in significant and challenging questions that allow the habits and practices that are developed by a classical education to be utilized and applied.

Winterim demonstrates a tenet of the liberal arts. Learning and teaching involve more than the accumulation of information and knowledge; it is learning and teaching that involves developing judgement. To know what is true, good and beautiful requires applying the principles to actual circumstances and practices.

In Winterim courses and projects about law, arts, science and contemporary issues, students practice critical reading and thinking skills gained in the reading and discussion of the Great Books, original works and texts and Socratic dialogue. They experience what they can learn from the application of the intellectual and ethical virtues such as integrity, perseverance and intellectual humility.

Student Experience: The Benefits

In a typical school day, students’ minds are divided among multiple subject areas. This is not the case during Winterim. Winterim focuses on a deeper understanding of specific subject areas. This focus on a single topic is also an expression of classical education and what we call paideia or a formation of the whole person. In this course students:

• write and discuss about a classic work or significant historical period
• create original artwork and develop skills of creativity, patience and discipline
• do field work and laboratory-based studies in science
• participate in debates and discussions of topics in ethics or civics
• gain skills in finance, speaking and writing

What is the same in all these courses and activities? The development of the skills and habits to deal with a difficult question, to think clearly and thoughtfully, and to work in depth and not just in breadth. In Winterim, students engage in the practices that are central to the habits they are developing as classical learners.

The Benefits: Virtue Is Practiced in the Real World

Students at Maeser are not just supposed to read, say and think about Truth, Honor, Virtue and Wisdom, but to live them. Winterim is one of the opportunities where they can do this. They develop habits of perseverance, collaboration, and intellectual and moral honesty, that form good citizens, leaders and learners for life.

Maeser is a community that is small and connected enough to know each student by name and know the families that he or she belongs to. Teachers know students, mentor and advise them. In that way the lessons of Winterim are not just confined to January; they are an everyday part of school life.

The benefits to our community are also apparent. Students from across the grade levels participate, challenge each other to think critically and learn to respect each other and develop in a community of learners together. Students also observe the habits that teachers develop for themselves as learners and scholars. There is a communal aspect to learning that is fundamental to classical education. The Socratic approach relies on discussion, and the Great Books come to life through dialogue. Through the Winterim program, students are once again reminded that wisdom is sought in community.

Results Speak for Themselves: Building a Foundation for College

At Maeser, students consistently achieve outstanding academic results: among the top schools in Utah with an average SAT of 1330 and a graduation rate in excess of 95%, Maeser graduates attend top colleges and universities, often with significant scholarship aid.

However, the greatest asset of a Maeser education is more than just grades. Our students are prepared to think critically, write compellingly, and debate with civility. They practice virtues of persistence, integrity, and intellectual honesty as living habits. Students who go on to excel in college are able to sustain focus, demonstrate curiosity, and contribute meaningfully to discussions on complex topics. Through immersive study, hands-on experience, and the formation of character, Winterim strengthens those skills and qualities.

A Tradition with a Tradition

Karl G. Maeser was convinced that a true education awakens the power within to do good. Every aspect of our academy reflects this belief. The Winterim program is a living expression of this vision, in which students are challenged to tie together the threads of theory and practice, wisdom and action, virtue and life.

Established in 2007 as a public charter school focused on classical education, Maeser carries on a tradition of liberal arts schooling that prepares individuals to rule themselves, serve their neighbors, and live well.

Why This Matters to You

Choosing a school is more than choosing the right academics. It is a choice for the type of person you want your child to be.

When students are intellectually stimulated, morally formed, and offered opportunities to put what they’ve learned into practice, then the classroom becomes not simply a bridge to college, but an arena that fosters preparation for a meaningful life. Winterim supports this mission insofar as it encourages students to think well, serve well, and lead well.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: What is Winterim and how does the Winterim program integrate with the academic year? A: Winterim is a three week program in January that students attend in place of their regular classes. During Winterim, students have an opportunity to study a subject of interest through a combination of immersive, experiential, and hands-on learning.
2. Q: How does Winterim contribute to college preparedness? A: Winterim allows students to develop skills that are highly valued in higher education, including the ability to sustain concentration for an extended period, work independently, collaborate with others, conduct research, and think critically and analytically. In addition, the products that are developed during Winterim (papers, videos, presentations, etc.) can also be valuable elements of college and scholarship applications.
3. Q: Is Winterim only for the highest-achieving students? A: No, Winterim is a required program that all Maeser students participate in every January. While some of the programs may be more academically rigorous, the immersive experience, small class sizes, and culture of mentorship at the academy afford all students at Maeser, regardless of their academic standing, the opportunity to excel.
4. Q: How does the Winterim program relate to the classical education model or liberal arts tradition? A: Classical education strives to enable students to act on their wisdom with integrity, which implies some hands-on experience. Through an immersive and practical program, the Winterim initiative extends the classical tradition of liberal arts education and affords students an opportunity to practice what they’ve learned.
5. Q: How can my family learn more about Maeser Preparatory Academy? A: We welcome any families interested in learning more to visit campus, sit in on a class, attend an open house, or schedule a tour to get an inside view into the classical curriculum, tight-knit community, and distinctive programs of Maeser.

Make Your Difference

Education that awakens the power within to do good is not only a slogan for Maeser, but is a promise we strive to keep every day. We invite you to discover the Maeser difference at our school, where children are known, challenged, and prepared both academically and for a life of good character and purposeful service.

Contact us today to schedule a campus visit and see for yourself how classical education, experiential learning, and a culture of virtue prepare Maeser students for college, career, and life.