We live in an era of constant, rapid evolution where moral values frequently shift or get swept aside. Amidst this turbulence, a fundamental question persists and remains as valid and vital as ever: How can parents and educators nurture children who will carry forth knowledge and, more importantly, develop an unwavering foundation of character that will enable them to serve others and lead effectively for a lifetime?
Many parents today are looking for an education for their children which is far from simply an information-gathering exercise. Instead, they want a place where their child is known, where their character is formed, and where they learn the principles of a virtuous life.
Maeser Prep is a classical charter school that emphasizes education for character, not merely information.
We believe as Karl G. Maeser did, that “Education awakens the power within to do good.” This belief is the foundation of Maeser Prep’s classical education and our school’s emphasis on the importance of virtue.
As a classical charter school Utah parents choose, Maeser Prep’s educational approach prepares students to excel in the college and career path of their choice. Students at Maeser Prep develop strong habits of intellectual thought, integrity of character, a spirit of service, and a commitment to leadership.
Our focus on education for virtue ensures that academic instruction and character formation complement each other. The Great Books of history and primary sources of Western Civilization encourage students to consider the questions of humanity, both past and present. The Socratic Method of teaching encourages intellectual humility as students develop the ability to search for truth in discussion. The process also develops intellectual virtue—curiosity, diligence, and intellectual honesty.
In our small community, students are challenged to engage in critical thought and discussion with teachers and peers as mentors rather than listeners as spectators. They are taught how to read, think, write, and speak on classical themes and texts. Students also learn the importance of Latin to the development of the English language and logic.
Beyond the classroom, our Winterim program offers students experiential learning in the world and a chance to put virtue, leadership, service, and character into practice. In our Honor Code community, we work hard to build relationships of trust, integrity, respect, and responsibility between and among all faculty, students, and staff.
We are committed to education for character and character building at a high level, preparing students for a successful future of character driven leadership and service learning, not just to college and career, but to life and community service. They are smart, thoughtful young people with a sense of purpose.
Community Impact: Shaping Virtuous Citizens and Leaders
The influence of Maeser Prep is found far outside our school. We are shaping a generation of virtuous citizens and leaders with the intellectual strength and moral courage to confront a complicated world. Our students are welcomed by top universities, a sign of our excellent college prep school in Utah County program and our focus on developing well-rounded students. Our graduates score an average SAT of 1330 and have a 95%+ graduation rate — but these figures aren’t why parents choose our college preparatory school in Utah. What they care about most is our school’s record of cultivating students who value Truth and honor their commitments, students who possess the moral courage to stand up for what they believe in and the wisdom to know when to change their minds. Our school’s alumni often share how Maeser Prep gave them a lifelong love of learning, a love of honesty, and a habit of thoughtful critical analysis and adaptation. These are the people we become when we come together as a community — faculty, students and parents — to pursue scholarship and virtue as a shared endeavor.
Results and Evidence: An Established History of Quality
Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy is widely considered to be a model of academic excellence. According to U.S. News & World Report, it is the #1 Charter high school in Utah County. Our students have been accepted into the finest universities in the country and receive generous financial awards. We have a reputation for academic rigor — a reputation supported by consistent data — but it goes hand-in-hand with our focus on character. Because our students are encouraged to be grounded in the principles of Truth, Honor, and Virtue, they do their work with greater integrity, diligence, and seriousness of purpose; they accomplish far more than they would if left to their own devices.
FAQ
Q: What is classical liberal arts? A: A classical liberal arts education uses a time-tested and widely accepted method to develop well-rounded, virtuous adults. The focus in the program is on cultivating intellectual and moral virtue. The curriculum includes an exposure to the liberal arts — humanities, social science, natural science and math — which promotes critical and clear thinking, disciplined reading and writing and reasoned conversation with others. We encourage our students to study primary sources and Great Books with the goal of answering timeless questions, like Who am I? Where did I come from? What should I do now?
Q: How does the Socratic Method build virtue? A: The Socratic method helps students develop intellectual humility and the discipline of careful reasoning. It encourages active listening and the respectful dialogue necessary for healthy civic debate, while also empowering individuals to speak their minds confidently and respectfully. It is the means by which we cultivate these intellectual virtues, which, when internalized, help us become better adults.
Q: What place do Truth, Honor and Virtue have in life at Maeser Prep? A: Our school motto of “Scholarship and Virtue” — and, in particular, our commitment to Truth and Honor, are at the heart of everything we do. We build virtue and instill honor through our curriculum, faculty and staff interactions with students, our Honor Code, student honor councils and the school’s overall learning community. These values teach students integrity and academic honesty, encourage respect for others, and help students learn to be truthful and do the right thing — even when no one is looking.
Q: Is Maeser Prep only for students who are academically gifted? A: We offer a high-quality rigorous academic experience for students seeking self-directed education and intellectual challenge at our college preparatory school in Utah County. We encourage students with a self-motivated attitude, a curious mind, and a love of discovery to apply and join our school community of scholars dedicated to learning and virtue.
Find out how our school inspires intellectual curiosity in your child.
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