In a time of instant answers and testing, what exactly makes for a quality education? Is it just teaching them facts? Are you teaching the person or are you just teaching to a test? Are you sending your child to college for a job?

Many educators are well aware of this fact yet few schools are able to offer it because it is so difficult for the modern family to find this type of instruction. Without the proper education, many children find themselves confused and ill-prepared for the rigors of adult life. Many students graduate and never know why. They lack purpose and direction and do not truly learn the skills to succeed in life.

Character and Wisdom: Beyond Academics

At Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy, we are dedicated to a holistic approach. Our classical curriculum emphasizes virtue, honor, and truth. We are a charter high school in Utah County, and Karl G. Maeser taught: “the purpose of education is to awaken the power within us to do good.”

Our students engage deeply with primary sources and the Great Books, honing their critical thinking and communication skills through the Socratic method. This approach prepares them for intellectual rigor and a lifetime love of learning.

The Maeser Experience: Minds at Work and Character in Practice

Maeser students study in intimate classroom settings with dedicated teachers. Classes are kept small to maximize student-teacher interaction. Students are known by their teachers and are challenged by them. Maeser faculty are passionate about their subject matter and believe in classical education. They are the primary source of the information, the wisdom, and guidance that our students receive. We take great pains to ensure they are trained to guide our students to the best of their abilities.

Students in our program learn from and interact with one another. Every teacher, faculty member, student, and parent is a member of the Maeser community. This sense of belonging and purpose, fostered in our classroom communities, is critical to the formation of the character of a Maeser graduate. Our Maeser Honor Code, the Maeser Curriculum (including Latin), and the rigorous academic program, with its senior project, prepare our students for college and for success in life. They are encouraged to take ownership for their learning. They are empowered by the encouragement of their parents and teachers, and inspired by a strong sense of character and moral courage.

The Maeser Family

Our students come from the Utah Valley and beyond. Every Maeser graduate comes out of a richly rewarding and challenging experience which instills a strong commitment to virtue, honor, and truth. This approach leads to an encouraging environment where students feel safe to try out ideas, be innovative, and push boundaries. Parents are welcome on campus and involved in the education of their children.

A Holistic Approach: Success and Achievement

Maeser Preparatory Academy is #1 in Utah (according to U.S. News & World Report) for charter high school students, a result of high academic standards that our students must maintain throughout high school. On average our students achieve 1330 on the SAT and have a 95%+ graduation rate, and 99% will go to college. These impressive results come through teaching our students not to simply memorize information, but to be able to use their critical thinking, verbal skills, moral character, virtue, and knowledge to become strong, successful, and independent people after high school graduation, and during their years of college.

We are not merely preparing our students for college or universities; we are preparing our graduates for life as responsible people with the ability to think critically, to speak with honesty, to act with honor, and to live virtuously, in service of Truth and others through our pursuit of the ideals of Truth, Honor, and Virtue.

See how Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy can awaken the spirit of our children to do good and to grow in wisdom and knowledge and to live a life of honor and virtue. Attend our upcoming Open House.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is classical education different? Classical education is about teaching kids how to think, not what to think. It emphasizes teaching from the primary sources, through the Socratic method, in an integrated program of learning of the liberal arts, that emphasizes learning virtue and acquiring wisdom.
2. How does Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy teach virtue and character formation? Character development is at the heart of the Maeser mission, and is encouraged daily through the classical liberal arts curriculum (literature, history, science and foreign languages), class discussions of classic literature and philosophical principles, the Maeser Honor Code, and by the teachers who model virtue and encourage every student in their pursuit of the virtues of Truth, Honor and Virtue.
3. Is the Socratic Method right for my child? The Socratic method of learning is an integral part of classical education, and encourages students to be active learners and discuss, question, and debate in order to find truth and develop their own opinions, and their individual voice.
4. What is your college preparatory program? The Maeser Preparatory Academy college prep program is focused on teaching the fundamentals of thinking, reading, writing, and communicating for success and life. Our school has a track record of high academics, critical and analytical thinking skills and strong verbal and communication skills for success at top-tier universities.
5. Why small classes? Small classes allow for individualized learning, greater participation, a sense of community among classmates, and a stronger relationship between teacher and student.