Our Approach to Education

At Paradigm, our “why” is to create true scholars through self-led education. We teach our scholars how to think, not what to think. We call our students scholars because the word scholar implies that they have a choice in their education. By the time our scholars graduate, the hope is that they will understand their role in the world.

We believe that standard schools have adopted educational systems which may manufacture mediocre intellects, devalue the inner life, and suppress students’ essential leadership skills and creativity. That is why we acknowledge the following in everything we teach:

  1. The nobility and growth of the soul
  2. The innate yearning for truth found in each of us
  3. The connection to humanity as well as the past, present, and future through dialogue
  4. Parents are the primary educators of their children.

Because we strongly believe in teaching scholars how to think, not what to think, we don’t use textbooks, we only use classic sources and original works. By applying the concepts learned through history to the present, scholars acquire the ability to shape the future and preserve freedom. Paradigm has prepared a strong classics-based curriculum in order to facilitate the great conversation at the school.

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel” -Socrates

Paradigm’s Foundation

To ensure we are staying true to our staff, families, and scholars, we have set both foundational pillars and fundamental principles that we follow daily. We want our scholars to benefit from our education and give them an even better educational experience.

Our Foundational Pillars

Wisdom

Our curriculum is based on original sources, classic books, and learning by discovery and shared inquiry. The goal is not merely to transfer information, but to teach the students how to think. We focus on building logic and reasoning skills and tying them to real-world applications.

Virtue

Virtue is voluntary obedience to truth and moral law. Paradigm Schools hold to a strict code of conduct, including ten specific values. Students, mentors, and administrators are expected to model principles of integrity.

Relevance

Knowledge is of little use unless it can be applied. Each class is taught with an eye toward application and relevance to the student. Students are taught to develop their own individual mission, harness their talents and knowledge and use them to better their communities.

Our Fundamental Principles

1) The end of education should not be only great test scores or even great careers, but rather free people – people who can

  • Take part in the great conversation of the ages,
  • Internalize the wisdom, virtue, and ability needed to
  • Lead with integrity, and
  • Create a free society.

2) While data is valuable to show indicators of scholar progress, actual change toward greatness is not always discernible in data format. “What is essential is invisible to the eye.” (Antoine de Saint-Exupery) Paradigm serves the soul of the scholar by facilitating its expansion through experiences with truth.

3) Every person has greatness within him or her

  • The Latin root of “educate” means to “lead forth” or “draw out.” This image stands in contrast to the “empty bucket” view of scholars that some educational systems hold. It assumes that the role of education is to draw forth that which is within.

4) Education for freedom includes the quest to find and internalize truth: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Bible; John 8:32)

  • Instead of experts, teachers are mentors, traveling the road towards truth alongside the scholars.

5) Parents have the primary responsibility and privilege to educate their children, and the parents’ involvement and encouragement is critical to the success of the child.

  • Neither the government nor the school is able to adequately supplant the home in the educating of children in critical life skills, habits and beliefs.
  • The government’s role is to create a stable societal framework wherein parents can fulfill their role in educating their children as they see fit.
  • The school’s role is to act as a resource and extension to the parents in the education of their children, to provide:
  • Mentors in the various fields of knowledge
  • Resources in curriculum
  • A common gathering place
  • A legal entity in which to entrust and organize the parents’ monies in order to create educational opportunities.

6) People learn best in a safe and nurturing culture.

  • Paradigm strives to create an environment of love and respect between all people. For optimal growth, scholars need to feel safe physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually, and valued for their unique self.

7) Core values are paramount to a learning culture.

  • Paradigm holds to a code of common values, and to the national motto “In God We Trust”. Scholars may bring their core books and talk about their various beliefs as they pertain to the school discussions. However, no single religion is professed at Paradigm.

8) The culture at Paradigm is one of constant growth; the school and the people in it are in a constant state of becoming.

  • The love of learning is a lifelong pursuit
  • The school is committed to continual growth in serving the people within it, while not losing hold of its founding principles.
  • Each individual should be challenged to grow according to their capacity, and taught to hold themselves accountable for that growth.

9) A leadership education is obtained by the ennobling of the soul through experiences with truth. It is nurtured by shared inquiry and open dialogue (wisdom); common values (virtue); and human experience (relevance).

Ready to Enroll?

Do you think your scholar would thrive at Paradigm Schools? Apply to our lottery for the chance to be eligible for enrollment, or call our registrar at (801) 676-1018 to get information about transferring.

testimonials

  • I love Paradigm. My children have never been happier, and have found a love of learning that was missing in their previous education!

    Julia H.

    I went to Paradigm all through high school. Best experience ever. Not only did it help me focus on my strengths, but it also prepared me for college with its challenging curriculum that makes you think outside the box. The mentors there care about each of their students individually, and want nothing more than the students’ success.

    Jennifer L.

Learn How To Enroll!

Get Info