very few have had the privilege of choosing their own government. It was this profound reflection on liberty and public virtue that inspired Dean Forman, founder of John Adams Academy, to ask a similar question about our modern society: How few people have even had the chance to choose their own school?

In a nation defined by freedom and liberty, the right to choose how we educate ourselves and our children should be paramount. This foundational belief is the driving force behind John Adams Academy, an institution built on the pillars of the classics, strong mentorship, the restoration of America’s heritage, and the principles of servant leadership. When the academy first began, the founders anticipated perhaps a hundred interested families. Instead, they quickly discovered a deep, widespread hunger for this specific kind of values-based education, with hundreds of families eagerly stepping forward.

From Students to Scholars

One of the most striking differences in this educational model is a simple but powerful shift in vocabulary: the children are not called students; they are called scholars.

The word "student" often carries the heavy connotation of duty—a passive recipient of information fulfilling a mandatory obligation. A "scholar," on the other hand, is someone who is fundamentally inspired. Scholars follow their passions. They pursue the things they love with a desire to magnify their knowledge, continuously improve themselves, and expand upon the foundation they are given.

Discovering the Unique Genius Within

The ultimate goal of a classical education is to help every scholar discover their special virtues and personal excellence. There is a unique genius inside each of us—a specific blend of talents, passions, and perspectives that no one else in the world possesses.

To unlock that genius, the focus must shift from rote memorization to genuine intellectual independence. The philosophy is not to tell young minds what to think or when to think, but rather to teach them how to think. By learning to ask critical questions and thoroughly analyze the world around them, scholars build a framework for lifelong learning.

Ultimately, this approach to education is not just about personal advancement. By restoring classical principles and prioritizing servant leadership, we prepare a new generation to take their unique genius out into society to serve and help others—equipping them to take not only the country, but the world, by storm.