For discerning parents and ambitious students, the education path today is often fraught with ambiguity. They want more than just a degree; they want an education that builds a solid base of character and gives the student not only the means to survive, but the motivation to thrive. At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, we believe that education awakens the power within to do good—a philosophy that echoes the core teachings of our founder.
A college education does not merely impart knowledge; it instills moral and philosophical principles.
The Modern Problem: Is College Prep Really Enough?
Education has become more complicated in the 21st century. It is not easy to tell, these days, what the purpose of college education is, if you look at the trends that are popular in many high schools. Often, the focus is on the score that a student receives on the standardized tests or on some arbitrary measure of academic success. Students and parents might wonder if that is the best use of time. What is the value in having students learn a subject when what they are not learning are the skills and virtues necessary to thrive in a world as complicated as our own?
The Answer: A Classical, Virtue-Based Education in College Prep
A Classical, College Prep education in Utah is at the core of what we offer as a charter school in Utah: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy. Our college prep classes are modeled on the liberal arts, and the students are expected to read primary sources and learn in small discussion classes. They are immersed in integrated curriculum learning that is focused on history, literature, philosophy, and science and connected to a virtue-based learning environment that is found only in Utah at Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy. We focus on learning Truth and Virtue. That is the reason that students at Maeser Preparatory Academy have been able to gain admission to the finest universities in the world.
The Maeser Preparatory Experience: Learning with Virtue
What would students do with their day at Karl G. Maeser Prep School? They might be having a Socratic seminar. Students discuss the ideas in great books, not just memorize for an end. They would be adhering to a true Honor Code to promote a healthy academic environment. They would be studying the history of Western civilization through primary sources, integrating their knowledge with other disciplines. They would receive close instruction from an expert teacher in a small class environment. In other words, they would be learning virtue.
Students have the opportunity to learn skills that will serve them well in college and careers. These include the following:
- Socratic seminars allow students to think, speak, and defend their ideas and opinions. They teach students to communicate their ideas clearly, listen actively, respect others’ opinions, and form their own ideas and defend them as they would a research paper. They are invaluable in college and future employment.
- Studying Primary sources encourages students to think for themselves and to develop their critical thinking skills. Primary sources allow students to read the seminal literature of Western civilization, to read the works of philosophers and scholars in their original words.
- An integrated curriculum allows students to think about the relationship between different disciplines. For instance, when studying philosophy, students learn about the great philosophers, but they also learn about the world that the philosopher lived in.
- Small class sizes allow students to have a closer relationship with their instructors, which makes learning and academic progress easier. It also facilitates a deeper understanding of the topics covered by the instructor and allows for more time to ask questions.
Students at Maeser Preparatory Academy have the chance to interact with people who care about their growth and development. Our faculty are dedicated to helping students grow not only in the classroom but in life. They are dedicated to helping students to learn virtue and to be true to the Honor Code. They are dedicated to helping students to build character and to be true to their word. They are dedicated to helping students to grow in the love of Christ.
Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is a classical, liberal arts high school in Utah that helps students to prepare for college and beyond. We believe that education is more than just the pursuit of knowledge. It is also about the pursuit of truth, virtue, and honor. We believe that our students have the potential to change the world.
Community & Results
The effect of a virtue-based classical education is felt far more than by each individual student. We have built a community around the belief that education is a family effort where faculty, parents and students work together to create an environment for growth and development for students. Not only are our students scholarly, but they are also virtuous citizens prepared to lead and serve.
Our students achieve excellence as a result of the academic rigor and the culture at Maeser. We are proud to be ranked #1 in Utah by U.S. News for high academic performance. Our students matriculate to many great institutions in the country, and we boast some very strong scholarship and college acceptances results. Our students score highly on standardized testing (1330) and have a 95%+ graduate rate. Our students are prepared to excel in all aspects of higher education and life!
FAQ
Q: What does “classical” mean for Maeser Academy?
A: For us, “classical” means a rigorous liberal arts curriculum using primary sources, the Great Books, and the Socratic method to cultivate wisdom, critical thinking and virtue.
Q: How does a virtue-based education equip students with skills needed for today’s modern workforce?
A: By instilling habits of mind and heart: critical thinking, curiosity, integrity, perseverance, and ethical leadership. These are the same skills employers and schools are desperate to find!
Q: Is Maeser right for my child?
A: Our school is a great place for motivated, curious students looking for a rigorous, character-focused education in a supportive community.
Q: What are the average class sizes?
A: Class sizes remain small enough to foster a dynamic learning atmosphere where students feel known and empowered to contribute. In turn, they receive personalized attention and individualized support from our dedicated faculty.
Q: What makes Maeser Prep different from other charter high schools in Utah County?
A: A classical liberal arts curriculum, Socratic method, rigorous Honor Code, and close-knit community. Maeser isn’t just a Utah County college prep school. We’re a community dedicated to forming students to become wise, virtuous leaders with a well-developed intellect.
Your Child Can Experience a Maeser Academy Education!
Are you looking for a quality education that is unlike any other, a type of education that prepares students to think, be virtuous and lead the way? We encourage you to take a look at our academy! To learn more about our academy, schedule your tour today!