In a world drowning in information and temporary fads, how can we ensure that youth gain not just information but the insight to recognize the truth, integrity to live rightly, and the virtues that lead to happiness? In many places, specialized and fragmented learning are the norm. Students learn about a particular occupation and are expected to fit into the next slot within a larger economic machine.
But what about those things that are beyond the compartments, the virtues that connect us to the world? What about an integrated curriculum such as the one found at Maeser Prep, a classic charter school in Utah? Here, the study of history, literature, philosophy, and the arts are not treated as distinct subjects. Instead, students in classical education engage in the study of each subject in conjunction with others, and the connections between the topics become clear. A deep connection is created that transcends what each subject offers independently.
For example, studying the classical education of Greece not only involves the reading of Homer in literature class; it also involves studying the Greek political world in history and the ancient texts in philosophy. Students also study art and architecture. This type of education allows us to engage in deeper, more meaningful studies that ultimately connect us to the world in which we live. The integrated curriculum is more than an educational model in Utah; it’s a virtue based education that equips students for the challenges that await them in real life.
This type of classical education is exciting because there is so much to learn and discover together. A student of classical education studying the American Revolution would learn about the various people and events of the time in history class; they’d read primary source documents like The Declaration of Independence and Paine’s Common Sense in English class; and they’d discuss the ideas behind the Declaration in a Socratic seminar/philosophy class. The history and the literature come to life because it’s the study of truth, virtue, and honor.
Students at our Utah classical charter are part of the learning community because class sizes are small enough for every student to be known. The faculty are experts in their field, passionate and dedicated to the goals of Maeser Prep Academy. The discussion-oriented classroom promotes lively, spirited, and often heated debates. Students learn to think critically about the information they are taught, how to express their ideas logically, and how to respect the views of others even when those views are different from their own.
The integrated curriculum doesn’t exist just in the context of the school and the students; the community comes together to learn and to work together to achieve the shared goal of the school. It’s community based education in Utah for the good of all. Parents are encouraged to read the same works their children are studying, thereby adding depth to family conversation and enhancing the character formation process that is so vital to the school culture. Events, conversations, and study serve to engage the entire school community in the pursuit of forming character and the training of virtue.
Proven Outcomes: Developing Leadership
The fruits of this integrated, character-centered education are abundant: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy has earned numerous awards and is ranked #1 in the state of Utah by U.S. News. Our students earn 100% of the college acceptance letters they pursue, and their SAT scores average a 1330, all while being able to write strong essays and receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships. Their academic preparation, moral character, and intellectual discipline serve them well in every arena. With a 95% graduation rate and an average SAT score of 1330, our graduates are prepared to go on to college and life. They are equipped with truth, honor, and virtue and are able to face the future with excellence.
Karl G. Maeser’s vision, “Education awakens the power within to do good,” serves as the foundation for this integrated educational approach. Students are prepared not just for academic achievement but for life. Our graduates go forth as ethical leaders in the communities to come.
FAQ: What is an integrated classical education?
What is the integrated curriculum? The term “integrated curriculum” describes how our school organizes what is taught; history, literature, philosophy, and the arts are taught in concert with one another. This is an approach to the study of history, literature, and language, in which the themes and connections are emphasized rather than the details.
For example, students study the Roman Empire as a unit, studying its literature, philosophy, and history within that context, instead of taking different courses on Roman literature and Roman History. How does an integrated classical education prepare students for university life and success? Students develop critical and analytical thinking and learn to think holistically and synthesize vast amounts of information. Our students enter college prepared not only with solid academic preparation, but also with well-developed writing and verbal communication skills and the ability to make connections between ideas, disciplines, and concepts. A school like Maeser is best suited to prepare Utah County students for success in college.
Is this a classical education for all students? Our classical approach offers an excellent opportunity to any student. While we do offer rigorous preparation, our school’s emphasis on depth over breadth, critical discussion, character formation, and a student’s pursuit of their own intellectual journey appeals to all students, regardless of academic or extracurricular strengths. Students who love vigorous class discussion, love literature, and have an interest in the great ideas will thrive at Maeser.
How do you teach virtue and character formation in this kind of educational setting? The integrated curriculum provides students an opportunity to read and discuss great ideas from a Christian worldview, and thus offers students an opportunity to learn the truth about themselves. By reading primary source text about historical figures, students are presented with an example of how to live a truthful life, and are presented with difficult questions about honor, responsibility, and sacrifice in the pursuit of truth. These discussions are woven into the entire learning journey.
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