Anonymous
10/31/2025 13:19
Subject: Re:Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:St Anselms Abbey. It is really surprising to us as non Catholics how much intellectual independence and critical thinking our son learns and sees there. For the things that limit a catholic education when not Catholic (views on some social issues) we fill in the gap. We have found families to have a wide range of backgrounds and opinions too. Since it is too small for cliques, I have not seen them.
The one common denominator is the "second tier" schools of every style are much better at fostering intellectual independence and critical thinking. The etablishment schools, whether Catholic, Progressive or etc, tend to veer towards groupthink.
What do you mean?
Anonymous
10/31/2025 13:02
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We're considering shifting our son to private school for middle school and high school. As a family value, we care about schools that emphasize independent and critical thinking rather than just "accepting" what one is told. We also value hard work and children learning that it is okay to go "against the mold" and pursue one's passions (e.g., it's okay to try starting a business before/instead of college; it's okay to make mistakes and pivot).
As we're starting to explore private schools, many of them tell us they promote independent and critical thinking. Do people find that is universal at private schools? Or are they just telling us what we want to hear? We're in Bethesda and we have easy access to the beltway and could go into DC and Virginia or stay in Maryland. Any private schools people recommend we check out?
Thank you in advance!
I think there are two subjects that are critically important for independent thinking. One is Physics and another is History. Look for a school that teaches these two subjects well and offer at least two years of Physics (one regular +AP) and a school offers courses in Ancient History, World History, beyond American History.
If not, encourage your students to read the history.
I would also add English Lit. If a school doesn't care about fiction then it likely doesn't promote independent thinking.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 12:59
Subject: Re:Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:St Anselms Abbey. It is really surprising to us as non Catholics how much intellectual independence and critical thinking our son learns and sees there. For the things that limit a catholic education when not Catholic (views on some social issues) we fill in the gap. We have found families to have a wide range of backgrounds and opinions too. Since it is too small for cliques, I have not seen them.
The one common denominator is the "second tier" schools of every style are much better at fostering intellectual independence and critical thinking. The etablishment schools, whether Catholic, Progressive or etc, tend to veer towards groupthink.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 12:46
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Burgundy Farm for middle. They do a great job especially with their Humanities curriculum
Anonymous
10/31/2025 11:36
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Parent of Abbey graduate, I agree that it taught independent thinking grounded in knowledge. We are not religious either.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 11:30
Subject: Re:Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
St Anselms Abbey. It is really surprising to us as non Catholics how much intellectual independence and critical thinking our son learns and sees there. For the things that limit a catholic education when not Catholic (views on some social issues) we fill in the gap. We have found families to have a wide range of backgrounds and opinions too. Since it is too small for cliques, I have not seen them.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 10:57
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Lowell School. Teaching children to think critically is part of our mission.
You forgot to include your commitment to treating teachers like garbage and covering up for vicious bullies.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 10:37
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:GDS
Not really. There is only one side to every argument at GDS. Doesn’t encourage rigorous debate.
Anonymous
10/31/2025 10:08
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
GDS
Anonymous
10/31/2025 09:34
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:We're considering shifting our son to private school for middle school and high school. As a family value, we care about schools that emphasize independent and critical thinking rather than just "accepting" what one is told. We also value hard work and children learning that it is okay to go "against the mold" and pursue one's passions (e.g., it's okay to try starting a business before/instead of college; it's okay to make mistakes and pivot).
As we're starting to explore private schools, many of them tell us they promote independent and critical thinking. Do people find that is universal at private schools? Or are they just telling us what we want to hear? We're in Bethesda and we have easy access to the beltway and could go into DC and Virginia or stay in Maryland. Any private schools people recommend we check out?
Thank you in advance!
I think there are two subjects that are critically important for independent thinking. One is Physics and another is History. Look for a school that teaches these two subjects well and offer at least two years of Physics (one regular +AP) and a school offers courses in Ancient History, World History, beyond American History.
If not, encourage your students to read the history.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 11:33
Subject: Re:Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Field is the best at this. They’re intentional about teaching kids “how to think, not what to think” (HoS says this all the time).
We have found this to be very true at Field.
Anonymous
10/29/2025 10:27
Subject: Re:Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Field is the best at this. They’re intentional about teaching kids “how to think, not what to think” (HoS says this all the time).
Anonymous
10/29/2025 00:40
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:On this thread, I think progressive schools perform poorly in terms of critical thinking for one simple reason. They do not encourage free exchange of ideas or debates of opposing ideas. They are mostly about blocking dissent. So I wouldn’t be very optimistic with critical thinking in progressive schools.
I agree with this. But this isn’t how progressive education was founded. It shouldn’t be an ideology.
Got it!
People keep thinking it's an ideology rather than a style of pedagogy, which is what it is. A progressive school refers to the style of instruction (more experiential/less drill and kill).
Anonymous
10/28/2025 23:01
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:On this thread, I think progressive schools perform poorly in terms of critical thinking for one simple reason. They do not encourage free exchange of ideas or debates of opposing ideas. They are mostly about blocking dissent. So I wouldn’t be very optimistic with critical thinking in progressive schools.
I agree with this. But this isn’t how progressive education was founded. It shouldn’t be an ideology.
Got it!
Anonymous
10/28/2025 22:57
Subject: Private Schools that Emphasize Critical and Independent Thinking
Anonymous wrote:On this thread, I think progressive schools perform poorly in terms of critical thinking for one simple reason. They do not encourage free exchange of ideas or debates of opposing ideas. They are mostly about blocking dissent. So I wouldn’t be very optimistic with critical thinking in progressive schools.
I agree with this. But this isn’t how progressive education was founded. It shouldn’t be an ideology.