Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy offers a rigorous classical education with a virtue-based approach to learning, which is why it is ranked number one in Utah according to U.S. News & World Report. As our teachers lead students through the study of science, you might not immediately notice the classical connections. Our question-driven, observant teachers are modeling an intellectual life and challenging students to think deeply about the human experience.

Science, however, is more than just equations and memorization. As humans, we are curious creatures who must grapple with the practical, moral implications of our discoveries and advancements. Our graduates are academically accomplished in all areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the humanities, and we can guarantee that they are also grounded in a serious understanding of logical analysis and scientific reasoning.

When we discuss “classical education,” most think of the humanities: the great works by Homer and Shakespeare, Latin verb conjugations, the power of Socratic dialogues. Yet there are other classical arts besides grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The seven liberal arts include the trivium, arts of language and reasoning (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), and the quadrivium, arts of number, proportion, and harmony (arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy). In the classical liberal arts tradition, science and literature are not mutually exclusive. Both are human and intellectual endeavors that require the cultivation of virtue as a student delves deeper.

At Maeser Prep, the study of math involves more than memorizing processes for a series of calculations. When solving problems, students must recognize the underlying structure of numbers, use reasoning and logic to form proofs, build arguments from premises, and ultimately make convincing arguments. Students are trained to value precision and rigor, to appreciate the elegance of a well-built proof or a well-thought-out answer. These experiences in a math classroom prepare students to be scientifically literate and to understand the importance of reasoning, logic, and argumentation, even to the point of recognizing the importance of ethics in science.

Similarly, our science classes begin with observation and wonder before students encounter new information or formal principles. Students observe objects fall to the ground, wonder about their common traits, and sort living things into taxonomies. In each step of the scientific method, students are guided to ask questions of what is right and true, to accurately and faithfully report their data, and resist manipulation of the data to get desired results. As students learn about the processes of genetics, they are asked to think critically about genetic engineering and its application to humans and the world.

By integrating ethics into the classroom and weaving logical connections throughout the curriculum, Maeser Prep students are encouraged to make connections between their science and math classrooms and the trivium arts of language. Standards of proof found in a math proof are the same standards used in our rhetoric and logic classes; a well-supported scientific argument is the hallmark of a successful Socratic discussion or Capstone project.

In modern education, students often perceive the humanities and sciences as disparate: where the former seeks meaning and interpretation, the latter simply follows the steps of the scientific method to find an answer. This disconnection can result in an emphasis on facts, devoid of wisdom and morality, with little room for ethics and imagination, especially when grappling with the implications of genetic modification and artificial intelligence. Conversely, an understanding of literature without rigorous thinking leads to shallow, uncritical analysis.

The challenges facing our world today are complicated and demand the very best of our brightest students. We are proud of our graduates who emerge as ethically grounded, intellectually curious learners who are ready to make an impact in the real world and make meaningful, lasting change in their communities and in the world.

We welcome you to visit Maeser Prep to see how our close-knit, virtue-based charter school provides a challenging, classical education. Tour with us, and you may see these connections in all of our classes. To schedule a tour, contact us today!

At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, we strive to form students who are scientifically literate, ethical, and intellectually curious. Students and faculty are united by their love of questions, whether through Socratic dialogue, scientific experiments, or simply noticing the world around them. Science is pursued in our close knit and virtue based school as an intellectual endeavor, a human activity which requires the same logical rigor and concern for the truth as other branches of knowledge. We invite you to learn more about classical education and the sciences below, or schedule a tour to see it for yourself.

Why Does Classical Education Emphasize Mathematics and Science?

In classical education, science and math instruction is considered essential to a complete education. In addition to the grammar, rhetoric, and logic that students learn, Maeser Prep provides a strong foundation for the quadrivium: arithmetic, geometry, music and astronomy. These disciplines are understood as interconnected and ordered; by learning to calculate, measure, and observe patterns in the natural world, students develop a keen awareness of the way all things relate.

The pursuit of science is a human endeavor; students learn the importance of observation and questioning and are exposed to an extensive curriculum of scientific thought and development.

• Our teachers are models of the life of the mind, they observe and ask questions just like their students.
• Students learn to observe, collect data, develop hypotheses, reason, and discuss; they learn science as a human activity rather than mere memorization.
• Maeser Prep offers a complete science and math curriculum that fulfills and exceeds college-prep requirements.
• Our graduates are accomplished in STEM fields, as well as in all fields of study and work.

Community Impact: A Culture of Curiosity

• Our rigorous and holistic approach produces curious, intelligent, ethically grounded students who are ready to engage the world.
• We have an exceptional graduation rate (over 95%), and an average SAT score of 1330, which ranks the school number one in Utah in U.S. News & World Report.
• Students are encouraged to pursue their questions, and to engage with their community as they explore the world.

A Vision for Scientifically Literate, Virtuous Citizens

In our culture, sciences and humanities are often perceived as completely separate disciplines; many don’t even agree on the definition of the terms “science” or “liberal arts.” However, when thinking carefully about the “good life” or about how to shape the future, it becomes clear that all of these areas of human thought and endeavor are related.

For example, consider a few of the most pressing challenges of our time: artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space exploration, and climate change. Each of these areas has technical and scientific questions, but also deeply human, moral, and ethical questions. Solving these issues will require not only quantitative and scientific acumen, but also moral wisdom and imagination.

To address these complex issues, students must develop not only technical competence, but also many virtues. Some examples might be intellectual honesty and integrity, patience and humility to learn from others, courage to follow the evidence, and a concern for the common good that motivates research, invention, and development. In short, science is a human activity; it should be integrated with ethics, philosophy, and the humanities. This is part of what makes a classical approach unique and powerful. Students at Maeser Prep have a rich and well developed vocabulary to discuss and reflect about what they are learning in any area of study.

Maeser Prep alumni pursue a wide variety of interests and careers after graduation, including medicine, engineering, computer science, scientific research, higher education, law, and public service. They are intellectually rigorous and morally serious thinkers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Maeser Prep approach science and math education?

Maeser Prep’s approach to science and math education is unique, integrating a modern curriculum with a classical worldview, forming scientists who are grounded in an ethical approach to their work.

Who goes on to pursue careers in science after Maeser Prep?

We have graduates who go on to pursue medical careers, engineering, research, and much more. However, we also have graduates in all areas of study and professions who appreciate a well-rounded education with a strong STEM foundation.

Experience the Difference: Visit Maeser Prep

Parents often look for rigorous STEM education that is also deeply concerned about the education of the entire child; we invite you to tour our campus to learn more. On a tour, you can meet teachers, hear about student projects, witness Socratic seminars, and observe scientific experiments in our classrooms.