Leman Academy of Excellence

Where Children Build Knowledge and Character

media@lemanacademy.org

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When it comes to choosing a school for your child in Arizona, it’s a bit like going to a buffet. There are a myriad of choices available: traditional public schools, private schools, charter schools, magnet schools, virtual schooling, microschooling and homeschooling. Not to mention, there are options within options; e.g., several types of homeschooling options. It can be a bit overwhelming for parents to contemplate.

In addition to choosing the type of education parents want for their child, they must consider what their ESA will cover. The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) is the amount of state money spent on a child’s education in a traditional public school. When a parent wishes to remove their child from that school to receive a different type of education, the ESA money follows them. In Arizona, 90% of that money can be used for private schools, homeschooling, and other education-related necessities. In this way, parents have the right to choose how their tax dollars are spent on their child’s education.

Arizona’s ESA for private school education is an average of $9,572. With this amount of funds supporting private school educations, is a charter school option like Leman Academy still an excellent school choice?

In this blog, we’ll zoom in on Tucson and examine the benefits and drawbacks of using ESAs to fund private education in Arizona. First, let’s take a closer look at ESAs and what they are.

What are ESA Grants and Why are They Fueling Private School Growth in Tucson?

The Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) provides parents with their share of tax money used in the traditional school education of their child to pay for private schooling. It can also be used for homeschooling expenses, therapies for special education, tutoring, curricula, and other expenses related to education.

A national leader, Arizona was the country’s first state to allow families, regardless of income, to use public dollars for private school tuition. In the 2023-2024 school year, over 75,000 scholars in Arizona have received ESA awards. Now, President Trump, in his July 4th “One Big Beautiful Bill”, has signed into law a federal tax-credit scholarship program to provide private and parochial school scholarships for families across the nation. As a result of these programs, Arizona has seen, and will likely continue to see, a surge in private school enrollments.

In Tucson, approximately 9% of their K-12 scholars attend private schools, compared to the state average of 6%. Driven by the ESA program and parents’ concerns over public schools’ quality of education, parents are seeking smaller class sizes and stronger academic programs. As a result of this increase in private school applications, Arizona’s private schools have raised tuition between 6% and 20%.

Although ESAs have made private school education more affordable for Arizona families, parents need to take this a step further and examine exactly what costs are incurred in a private school education before they make the choice to send their children to one. 

The Tucson Private School Boom: Hidden Costs and Enrollment Gaps

Before applying for enrollment in a private school, parents should educate themselves on all the costs involved in sending their children to that school. Tuition isn’t the only expense they will incur. There are also fees for textbooks, lab fees, uniforms, extracurricular activities, testing, transportation, and supplies. Furthermore, the ESA grant may not cover all the costs of tuition.

When a school is filled to capacity, families are placed on a waitlist. As spots open up in classrooms, scholars from the waitlist are selected to occupy them. However, a waitlist isn’t a guarantee that the scholar will be given a seat. Some parents will see a rise in tuition costs while on the waitlist, and if their child is selected, they won’t be able to cover the costs. Thus, they are priced out of the option for private schooling.

In Arizona, laws allow private schools to operate without direct supervision from state or local authorities. They’re still required to meet guidelines that apply to school safety and the implementation of special education services; however,  private schools are not required to be held accountable for tuition rates. It’s important to note that even during these volatile times in private school tuition, many schools do offer financial aid to families. In addition, residents of Arizona may claim a tax credit for private school tuition.

Leman Academy’s Commitment to Tucson Families

The Leman Academy of Excellence, a K-8 Classical Education school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, is committed to providing its scholars with an exceptional education. If you’re gazing at the school choice “buffet”, here are four reasons to consider Leman Academy:

1. Tucson and its surrounding areas are home to four Leman campuses: Central Tucson, East Tucson, Marana and Oro Valley. Additionally, Leman’s Virtual Academy is also headquartered in Tucson. Any scholar in the state can attend Leman virtually. 

2. Leman Academy teaches with the Classical Educational model based on the Trivium. A well-rounded, values-driven curriculum sets Leman apart from other schools, with its scholars acquiring excellent critical thinking abilities and a strong character foundation.

3. Leman Academy is a charter school — no tuition is charged. There are no surprise fees, and Leman is fully public and fully accountable.

4. Leman serves scholars from all of Tucson with diverse enrollment and open access for families from every background.

Conclusion: Think Beyond ESA

While an ESA is a huge driving factor of school choice, it isn’t guaranteed to cover all the costs you would need to send your child to a private school, and it doesn’t promise that your child will be accepted into a private school of your choice.

It’s even more important for you to consider the quality of the education you wish your child to receive. If you’re dining at a real buffet, you’ll select the food choices that provide you with a well-rounded meal. In the same way, it’s critical to consider your child’s needs, talents, and strengths and find a school that can offer exactly the type of setting your child needs.

The Leman Academy of Excellence offers a stable, proven, and tuition-free alternative that continues to grow with Tucson’s families in mind.

Schedule a tour, attend an info session, or explore how Leman Academy can meet your family’s needs, without the high cost.

Simplified Summary

ESA grants give families money from the state to help pay for education. This article explains how ESA programs work and how they affect school choice.

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Of all the occupations in the country, the one with the highest level of burnout is teaching. As many as 44% of teachers report that they always or very often feel burned out at work, according to a Gallup poll. Young teachers, recently graduated and dreaming of changing children’s lives, are run over by the pressures of teaching. Though they expect to work hard with lesson planning and grading, they find themselves entrenched in unexpected work, too — counseling students and parents, trying to make it work with inadequate resources, teaching large classes without time to attend to each student’s needs, dealing with discipline issues, experiencing lack of autonomy, pressured to raise tests scores, not having sufficient administrative support, working with poor funding, and a lack of community support.

Colorado, like states everywhere, employs many talented teachers equipped with inspiring ideas and innovative teaching strategies. Yet, when they’re hired to teach, they’re not permitted to use those talents either for a lack of time or lack of alignment with their curriculum. Colorado traditional school teachers are looking for opportunities to make their work impactful in their scholars’ lives. They’re seeking a viable educational structure and more support from their peers, administrators and parents.

In this blog, we’re going to explore one model of education that offers teachers a refreshing alternative to the constant, hamster wheel-spinning environment of the traditional classroom. We’re going to discover how Classical Education, with its anchor in logic, character education, and critical thinking objectives, offers a welcome return to purpose.

What is Classical Education and Why Does it Matter to Teachers?

Classical Education is a model for teaching grades K-12 through three stages of learning: the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages. The Grammar Stage is for scholars in grades K-6, and it emphasizes gathering and storing knowledge over all the subjects covered: mathematics, science, history, geography, languages, and language arts.

When scholars reach the equivalent of seventh grade, they begin studies in the Logic Stage. Here, even though they’re still gathering knowledge, they use abstract thinking to explore information critically; scholars analyze, compare/contrast, synthesize, and evaluate. They participate in Socratic discussions to share insights, opinions, and arguments over their study material.

In the Rhetoric Stage, during high school years, scholars continue the work they did in the Grammar and Logic Stages, but they also develop persuasive arguments supporting their stances on issues. They write essays and deliver presentations to communicate their thoughts. This three-stage educational process is called the Trivium.

By reading classical literature and discussing the issues contained therein, Classical Education scholars practice deep thinking, respectful dialogue, and develop their own personal thoughts on moral behavior.

This educational approach matters to teachers because with Classical Education, they find purpose and intention in teaching. They’re not merely attempting to get their scholars to pass tests with sufficient scores. In this school setting, teachers are more flexible and can teach with their own innovative strategies. They find once again the passion for teaching they had when they were hopeful college scholars.

The Leman Academy Difference in Colorado

To illustrate how refreshing the Classical Education model is for teachers, let’s discover the Leman Academy of Excellence, with a campus in Parker Bayou Gulch, Colorado. Within the academic structure of this school, teachers find a clear structure, a comprehensible and feasible curriculum, a shared educational philosophy, and plenty of guidance and mentorship. This is a school where teachers are supported as educational leaders and parents are viewed as partners.

New teachers at Leman are assigned a mentor for support and guidance. No teacher is left to figure things out on their own. The school’s administration likewise supports teachers’ efforts with a climate of respect.

Core Classical Pillars That Strengthen the Teaching Experience

When scholars enter the Logic Stage of the classical model, they’re encouraged to ask “why” questions about the material they’re studying. In this manner, gateways to lively and engaging discussions are opened. All scholars in the class may contribute to such discussions. Scholars aren’t sitting passively while a teacher “talks at them” as is so frequently the case in a traditional setting. Teachers are empowered to design lessons that connect the facts they’re teaching to scholars’ reasoning and critical thinking.

Critical thinking is further encouraged by asking open-ended questions. Instead of merely reading Hamlet’s soliloquy, scholars are encouraged to discuss whether Hamlet should avenge his father’s death by killing Claudius. Discussions such as this influence scholars’ developing moral values and strengthen their character development. Scholars learn how to think, not just what to think.

Furthermore, an emphasis on character development in the classical model reduces unwanted behavioral issues and supports a positive classroom environment. Scholars learn that their teachers don’t simply deliver content, but that they’re dynamic role models of responsible citizens in society.

These core pillars of  Classical Education make teachers’ experiences personally rewarding, meaningful, and joyful.  

Why Colorado Teachers Thrive at Leman Academy

One of the drawbacks of teaching in a traditional school is that teachers don’t feel they’re given a voice in designing the educational experience. They’re not given autonomy to use their innovations in designing lesson plans or contribute to curricula.

But in the Classical Education setting at Leman Academy, teachers discover they do have a voice in shaping curricula and school culture. In fact, they’re encouraged to collaborate, to share ideas and experiences.

Teachers find ongoing professional development opportunities at Leman as well. Teachers are shown how the classical model is used to provide scholars with the full range of scholarship acquisition: from acquiring knowledge, to sifting that knowledge with critical thinking, to imparting that knowledge to others.

Leman Academy thrives with strong leadership and collaboration across all of its campuses in Arizona and Colorado.

Final Thoughts: A Meaningful Path Forward for Educators

Amid the crises and burnouts happening in today’s traditional schools, teaching at a school like Leman Academy is like moving away from brutally hot sunshine and seeking shade under a breezy elm tree. Classical education offers stability and depth in working with our youth and helps teachers rediscover joy, clarity, and purpose in education.

Learn more about teaching opportunities at Leman Academy’s Colorado campuses and how to join a values-driven team.

Simplified Summary

Classical education helps teachers guide scholars through strong academic lessons and character development.

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At no time in history has the issue of school choice been a hotter topic. On July 4th of this year, the federal government passed a law that includes a national private school choice provision. As part of “One Big Beautiful Bill”, and signed by President Trump, this provision marks the first nationwide private school choice program funded by the federal government.

All over the country, school choices have increased over the last several decades. In fact, in just the last year alone, 60% of parents in the U.S. have searched for new schools. Many are overwhelmed because they want the very best opportunities for their children, but aren’t sure which choice would provide them. Parents can choose their neighborhood public schools, charter schools, private schools, virtual schools, or homeschooling for their children.

In this blog, we’ll look at a simple, side-by-side comparison of the most impactful differences between charter schools and private schools. We’ll compare:

  • Funding and Costs
  • Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy
  • Enrollment and Admissions
  • Accountability and Oversight
  • Teacher Certification Requirements

Definitions at a Glance

What is a charter school?

A charter school is a publicly funded school that is tuition-free for parents. It’s independently run and often provides scholars with an innovative curriculum that is not available in traditional public schools.

What is a private school?

A private school is an independently operated school that is privately funded — families must pay tuition for their children to attend. Some private schools are secular, and others are based on a set of religious tenets.

Funding and Costs of Charter vs. Private Schools

Charter schools are funded by the same government money that funds traditional public schools, except for local property taxes. Charter schools do not receive funds from property taxes or school levies. However, they do receive assistance in the form of grants, donations, and community support.

Private schools charge families tuition. Parents may use school vouchers to help pay the tuition; however, they usually do not cover all the costs incurred. Parents incur extra fees for the classroom, extracurricular activities, music programs, testing, technology, textbooks and supplies, transportation, and uniforms.

Curriculum and Teaching Philosophy

One of the reasons charter schools have become such a magnet in recent years is their innovative and unique curricula. Unavailable in the traditional schools, scholars in charter schools immerse themselves in a fine arts curriculum, or Classical Education, or a STEM-focused ideology, just to name three examples. There are many more teaching philosophies and focuses within our charter schools. Even though these curricula have a different emphasis than that of traditional schools, they do align with state standards and offer studies in core subjects.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is an example of a charter school thriving with a Classical Education approach in teaching. This time-tested approach, used since the days of the ancient Greeks and only changed at the beginning of the 20th century, immerses scholars in classical literature, Socratic discussions, and practices in rhetoric. Leman Academy is a K-8 charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, and has a virtual school available to any student residing in Arizona.

On the other hand, private schools are not required to follow the state’s curriculum, but have the freedom to design their own. However, they must adhere to the same operational standards that apply to traditional school districts. Their curricula and philosophies vary from school to school. For example, some private high schools are focused on college-preparatory education, and others are more focused on a science-oriented curriculum. Others are affiliated with a particular religion and include studies in theology.

With such a variety of schools to choose from, parents desiring the best for their children have many options to consider.

Enrollment and Admissions

Once parents have chosen the school they believe will be the best fit for their child, they will need to consider the school’s enrollment and admissions requirements. These also differ between charter and private schools.

Most charter schools have an open-enrollment policy, which means they will accept scholars from anywhere in their state, unlike traditional public schools, in which scholars are assigned to their neighborhood school.

If the demand for a space in the school is high, charter schools select scholars based on a lottery system, and most charter schools have a waiting list when the school has been filled to capacity. The lottery system ensures a random selection. Thus, charter schools are populated by scholars from many different backgrounds.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is a charter school highly sought out by parents in Arizona and Colorado. With locations in Tucson, Oro Valley, Mesa, and Sierra Vista in Arizona and Parker in Colorado, along with a virtual school available statewide in Arizona, Leman Academy is highly accessible for families.

In contrast, private schools are selective in their admissions. They may require interviews and admissions tests. In general, private school populations will not be as diversified as charter and traditional schools. Before emotionally or financially investing in their choice of a private school, parents should thoroughly investigate the school’s enrollment and admissions policies. Since they’re selective, even after adhering to the requirements, there isn’t a guarantee that their children will be accepted.

Accountability and Oversight

The main difference between charter and private schools as to what is taught and how well scholars are learning is who is governing them.

Charter schools answer to their state board of education. In this way, they have the same criteria to meet as the traditional public schools. But in addition, many also have to be accountable to another authorizing board specific to state charter schools. For example, in Arizona, charter schools must meet the criteria of both the Arizona State Board of Education and the Arizona State Board of Charter Schools. School metrics are reported and posted publicly for the community by these governing boards.

However, private schools are not held accountable by their state; there is no public oversight required of them regarding their curricula, teacher certification, and testing standards. But private schools do have to adhere to the state’s oversight regarding scholars’ health and safety and meet minimum operational standards. And, as per federal law, they’re not supposed to discriminate against people based on race, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Having said that, private schools are selective regarding who is admitted.

Teacher Certification Requirements

All teachers in the traditional school districts are required by their state to have received teacher certification. Certificates are given to individuals who have completed teacher training and/or are experts in the subjects they teach.

Out of the U.S., 37 states require teaching certification for charter school teachers. A school’s charter, however, may contain a waiver in the charter contract for state certification, as is the case in Colorado. Regardless, most charter schools do require a bachelor’s degree, and like traditional schools, they will hire teachers who are experts in their field. But 13 states don’t have to comply with a certification standard.

Teachers aren’t required to hold a teaching degree in the private school setting. The criteria they must meet vary from school to school, depending on the school’s focus and educational philosophy.

If you’re a parent considering a school choice, it’s important to consider the training, experience, and professional development opportunities of the school’s teaching staff.

Why a Charter School May be the Right Choice for Your Family

Charter schools are less selective than private schools and do not require tuition. They offer innovative curricula, have well-trained teachers, and are more accountable to authorizing bodies of oversight than traditional schools. It’s worth it to explore the different charter schools in your area to find one that fits your child’s needs, talents, and skills.

The Leman Academy of Excellence, with its Classical Education approach, helps students develop critical thinking skills, leadership skills, confidence, and a solid foundation in academics. It’s a tuition-free school with several campuses throughout Arizona and Colorado.

Final Thoughts

As a parent, it’s important to explore all the options available for your child. Consider your child’s needs, your family values, and educational priorities. Look into the school choices in your area, and find out what they have to offer. When you have investigated the choices available, you’ll find the right fit for your family.

Explore Leman Academy Campuses or Request More Information about Leman.

Simplified Summary

This article explains the differences between charter schools and private schools so families can better understand their options.

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 “A shockingly large share of graduating high-school seniors are not prepared to go to college.”

— Chester E. Finn, Jr.; “The Fog of College Readiness”, 2017

Colorado is one of the leading states blazing a new trail for high school graduation requirements. With the lasting effects of the post-COVID era and new technology constantly revising the educational landscape, high schools across the country are changing graduation requirements to best prepare their seniors for life beyond high school.

Making sure that scholars are prepared for the world when they leave school is largely based on success in the early grades. Learning to read well, developing critical thinking skills, and problem-solving abilities are foundations upon which future learning competencies are based.

The Leman Academy of Excellence, a tuition-free K-8 charter school with campuses in both Arizona and Colorado, is riding the wave of change; they are preparing their young scholars for the rigors of academic learning they’ll encounter in high school and beyond. Teaching with the Classical Education model, Leman Academy emphasizes training young minds to think independently and decisively. Scholars at Leman study classical literature and engage in Socratic discussions. From the very beginning, they’re provided the tools with which to build strong academic foundations.

With the view that success in secondary education and in life depends greatly on scholars’ academic achievements in the early years, we can zoom in on how Colorado’s new requirements are being met. We’ll go into depth with the following:

  • An Overview of Colorado’s New Graduation Requirements
  • Why Early Preparation is More Important Now Than Ever
  • How Leman Academy Builds a Future-Ready Foundation
  • The Life Skills That Support Graduation and Beyond
  • How Leman Academy Bridges K-8 to High School Success
  • The Long-Term Impact of a Classical Education

An Overview of Colorado’s New Graduation Requirements

In the effort to prepare high school graduates for the future of higher learning, joining the military, or setting out on a career path, Colorado passed Bill 07-1118 in October 2021. Students planning to graduate must prove their competencies across a range of skills, including entrepreneurial, personal, civic, and professional skill mastery. Referred to as a “Menu of College and Career-Ready Demonstrations”, the state provides school districts the right to accept certain options from this menu, to require higher scores from the tests they accept, and to create their programs as long as they comply with the minimum education minimums stated in the Bill.

Set by the state of Colorado for its high school graduates, proof of readiness can be provided by these standards of competency:

  • An Accuplacer score* of 241 on reading or 236 on sentence writing
  • An Accuplacer score of 255 on arithmetic or 230 on quantitative reasoning, algebra, and statistics (*Accuplacer is a computerized assessment test)
  • An ACT score of 18 in English and 19 in math
  • A level of Bronze or higher in ACT Workkeys (assessment for job skills)
  • An advanced placement exam with a score of 2 or higher (range is 1-5)
  • A score of 31 or higher on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
  • Passing grades for students in concurrent enrollment with college courses
  • A district capstone project
  • Industry certificate for readiness in reading, writing, and mathematics
  • An International Baccalaureate (IB) exam with a score of 4 or higher (highest is 7)
  • An SAT score of 470 in reading and 500 in mathematics
  • A collaboratively developed, standards-based performance assessment

The Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) in Colorado is a multi-year process that allows scholars to explore career and academic options. School leaders and faculty, in collaboration with school counselors, use ICAP as a tool for reflecting on how a scholar’s post-secondary and workforce readiness (PWR)  is accomplished.

At the heart of all these efforts is the goal that scholars will effectively and successfully transfer their school-acquired skills and knowledge to real-world applications.

Why Early Preparation is More Important Now Than Ever

What neurological and cognitive scientists know for a fact, and what teachers have long suspected, is that when a child receives high-quality education at an early age, he or she is set up for better learning as they grow older. 90% of brain development happens in the first five years of life. Hence, positive outcomes in scholars’ academic lives are dependent upon the quality of instruction they receive when they’re very young. The ability to demonstrate keen critical thinking skills likewise begins early, in elementary school. Critical thinking skills are the skills people use to analyze and evaluate information and then make informed decisions and judgments. In addition, the ability to develop self-discipline begins at a young age, too.

The years between kindergarten and eighth grade are the greatest for growth and change in children, not just their physical size but also their mental development. Learning to write fluently, develop logical thinking, and solve problems takes many years to develop. Schools must provide children with plenty of opportunity, guidance, and support in the early years to ensure they have the best chance possible for academic success in high school and beyond.

Research supports the fact that childhood experiences in school have a significant influence on future development and well-being. When scholars are not supplied with a strong foundation in their early years, they will likely struggle to meet high school benchmarks required for graduation.

How Leman Academy Builds a Future-Ready Foundation

The Leman Academy of Excellence is a tuition-free, K-8 charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado. It teaches with the Classical Education model, which is based upon the Trivium and its three age-related, distinct stages: the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages of learning. A unique aspect of this model of teaching is that it helps scholars learn how to think rather than merely imparting to them what to think. With studies focused on classical literature and history, scholars engage in active discussions and collaborative projects to evaluate the thoughts, decisions, and ideas that shaped Western Civilization.

Classical studies in math and science help scholars develop logical reasoning and problem-solving skills. With logical thinking and its use in dissecting information, identifying correlations, identifying patterns, and applying deductive and inductive reasoning, logical thinking is an essential skill for scholars to have in their tool belts.

The Leman Academy’s Classical Education model also equips scholars with well-developed characters. They learn responsibility, perseverance, and integrity in both active and passive processes. Actively, scholars discuss the virtues and morals they find in classical literature, and they form opinions about people’s ideas and historical events. They share their opinions in Socratic discussions and written essays. In a passive or more private nature, Leman Academy encourages its scholars to manage their time, develop positive social interactions, and participate in class and school activities. In this way, scholars form personal habits and discipline that lead to success in high school, college, and in life.

Life Skills That Support Graduation and Beyond

Highlighted in Colorado’s new graduation requirements are the skills that promote real-world readiness. Critical thinking, effective communication, excellent problem-solving, and the ability to work well within a team are some of the real-world skills for which scholars need to prepare.

The Leman Academy of Excellence integrates readiness skills development within its school curriculum. Scholars, even from the early grades, participate in giving presentations to their classes, thus growing skills in both public speaking and rhetoric. Leman teaches research skills and administers many writing assignments that help scholars hone their resourcefulness and expressiveness in communication.

In addition, Leman instills habits early in scholars’ lives: setting goals, managing time, and developing a growth mindset. By teaching how to think, Leman encourages open minds, curiosity, and questions. These traits form the foundation of a mind that is open to growth and encouraged to learn.

Civic responsibility, virtue, and leadership are all part of the Classical Education model, and Leman Academy provides scholars with an abundance of exposure to these characteristics through a comprehensive study of classical literature and discussion.

Given the depth of intellectual participation, Leman Academy and its Classical Education model provide an ideal education for real-life preparation in today’s world.

How Leman Academy Bridges K-8 to High School Success

Leman Academy’s education is more open than that of traditional public schools. In classroom discussions, scholars strive to share what they’re thinking and what they believe. They learn in a collaborative setting where scholars contribute, support, and motivate each other. In contrast to most traditional school settings, where scholars listen to lectures, Leman’s scholars are eager to share and participate in their learning.

Leman’s scholars excel no matter where they attend high school after eighth grade. They enter high school ahead of their peers in reading, writing, and math benchmarks. 54% of scholars at Leman tested at or above the proficiency level in reading, and 46% at or above the proficiency level in mathematics. In fact, the scholars at Leman are a whole year ahead of their peers in math, having started the first-grade curriculum in kindergarten.

With confidence and a love for learning, Leman’s scholars are in a position to meet and exceed the ICAP competency expectations. Leman’s alumni are performing well in high schools across Arizona and Colorado and are prepared to meet or exceed graduation requirement expectations with clarity and purpose.

The Long-Term Impact of a Classical Foundation

When children begin school with Classical Education, they form thinking and learning habits at an early age. The child’s brain is more malleable than an adult’s brain and is subject to learning more quickly. When habits are formed at an early age, they are likely to remain as children grow older. A classical foundation raises them with long-range critical thinking skills and life-long habits that impact their later school years, college, and career.

By building positive character traits in children via Classical Education, scholars become morally grounded and develop strong leadership skills. Thus, graduating from a Classical Education school, they take much more with them than just having completed the correct number and type of credits. They take with them an inner, well-developed core of strength, confidence, and a compass pointing them toward success with future endeavors.

Conclusion

It’s commendable that the Colorado Department of Education is raising the bar on requirements to help graduates become ready for post-graduate demands. However, traditional public schools, no matter what their graduation requirements, will not be able to raise the standard of quality education as high as Classical Education does. That’s because of the way the classical model is structured; with the Trivium, scholars begin to hard-wire knowledge and thinking processes from the earliest grade levels.

The Leman Academy of Excellence offers a tuition-free classical education that lays the groundwork for stellar academic, personal, and professional success.

Explore how Leman Academy prepares young scholars not just for high school but for life.

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Albert Einstein once said that it was insane to expect different results when we keep trying the same thing over and over again. We have long known that our country’s education system needs to be improved to help scholars achieve academically and in the world. But despite new reading programs, new math programs, new approaches in science, etc., we’re still not improving our educational outcomes.

What many parents today want is a new model of education. Parents want education reform to include personalized curriculum and subject mastery. They want to move away from standardized testing and the one-size-fits-all type of education we see in our traditional public schools.

During the COVID pandemic, parents had a first-hand look at the type of education their children received as they learned remotely from home. This led to many parents questioning the current model of traditional education, and many more seeking a Classical Education model. Since the pandemic, hundreds of new classical schools have opened across the country.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is one such school. A tuition-free, K-8 charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, Leman Academy’s time-tested classical model provides scholars with a deeply ingrained education that relies more on developing thinking skills and less on preparing for standardized tests.

As we delve into this subject, we can take a closer look at why families are opting for Classical Education and how it’s different from the modern curricula found in traditional schools.

What is Classical Education?

What is Classical Education, and why are parents flocking towards it? The popularity of this educational model is growing by about 5% every four years in this country. Most schools now have a waitlist of families hoping to enroll their children in these schools. Why?

The classical model is based on a three-part learning system called the Trivium. Comprised of the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages, the Trivium aligns with the development of children’s mental capacities. For example, in the early elementary years, children’s brains are actively “soaking up” information. Thus, in the Grammar stage, scholars use songs, chants, and stories to commit a great range of information to memory.

As children’s minds develop during the middle school years, and they’re capable of more abstract thought, the Logic stage steps in to apply critical thinking to the information they acquired in the Grammar years. Here, scholars analyze, compare and contrast, categorize, synthesize, and evaluate information.

In the final stage of the Trivium, scholars apply their knowledge and critical thinking skills to the formulation of opinions, arguments, and debates during the Rhetoric stage. In this stage, all the work they have acquired thus far in the classical model comes together to produce well-informed, persuasive thoughts and ideas, and the ability to communicate them well.

Classical Education scholars build their repertoire of knowledge by reading classical literature and engaging in Socratic discussions about the themes and principles contained therein. By reading and discussing the ideals that shaped Western Civilization, scholars frame their thinking independently — they’re taught how to think rather than told what to think. The classical model also provides critical thinking development in its core subjects of mathematics, science, history, and the study of other languages.

One more aspect of this model that makes it different from the traditional model of education is the emphasis on character education. While reading and discussing the themes of classical literature, scholars begin to form their own banks of moral values. They discuss what they think is right or wrong and develop their own ideas. Embracing the virtues of wisdom, honesty, perseverance, and justice is derived from the classical model.

Now that we’ve seen what the classical model of education delivers, let’s take a look at the modern curriculum used in our traditional schools so we can compare the two.

What Defines a Modern Curriculum?

A survey taken two years ago demonstrated that 81% of employers agree with this statement: “I think getting a college degree today is worth it, despite the money and time needed to do so.”

Having parents and scholars expect to attend college to get good jobs leads to a mindset of “climbing a ladder” to the top. The modern curriculum in our traditional schools provides the ladder; scholars learn the material, take the test, pass, and move up to the next rung. Thus, education becomes a means to an end instead of providing time for more engagement with the process.

This model of achieving A so you can get to B and eventually get to C permeates many areas of learning in traditional schools’ curricula. Referred to as “skill-based learning”, scholars first learn the basics, for example, terms and definitions. Then, they’re shown how to apply the new information, and finally, they demonstrate being able to apply it independently. What they learn, however, has limited depth because higher-order thinking skills are not engaged. We see this type of learning reflected in standardized testing, where teachers “teach to the test”. We also see it in science, technology, engineering, and math programs (STEM). Concepts are taught to be tested and passed so scholars can move on. In other words, STEM learning material is not developed to include critical thinking, e.g., analysis, discussions on alternative strategies, and the moral implications of using certain technologies.

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is another facet of modern curricula. A relatively new term, SEL focuses on managing emotions, making responsible decisions, and developing healthy relationships with others. Emphasizing that scholars identify feelings and look at situations from others’ perspectives, schools hope to pacify troubled emotions that lead to disruptions, anger, and assault in schools.

In modern curricula, we also find a greater use of technology, more now than ever. Although technology has time-saving benefits, concerns have arisen over the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in aiding scholars’ work. In addition, technological advancements have contributed to shorter attention spans and fragmented knowledge. According to an article on Medium, the average human attention span has shrunk to 8.25 seconds, which is shorter than that of a goldfish. Furthermore, people have difficulty focusing on screen material due to its many visual distractions.

Traditional schools’ modern curricula emphasize skill-based learning, social-emotional learning, and extended use of technology. This model skims the surface of scholars’ cognitive capacities and results in a limited depth of thinking. Scholars then graduate using only superficial thinking abilities. Concerned parents want a new model of education. Many are finding it in Classical Education.

Why Some Parents Are Making the Switch

Unlike modern curricula in traditional schools, Classical Education emphasizes mastery over the subjects studied, not simply exposure. Through Socratic discussions, scholars are trained to think more deeply using higher-order thinking skills. It’s only after careful analysis, comparisons, evaluations, and synthesizing ideas that they develop wisdom, make informed decisions, and exhibit good leadership.

Classical education’s curricula encompass a rich cultural history with a study of timeless classical literature that helps scholars foster a deeper understanding of the world. With its focus on virtue and integrity in a calm, ordered learning environment, classical classrooms are antithetical to traditional classrooms for their stability in an over-stimulated age.

With its in-depth academic pursuits, strong character development, and a setting that instills a non-hurried atmosphere, many parents are making the switch from traditional schools to those offering Classical Education.

Why Classical Education is a Better Choice

Benjamin Bloom was an American educational psychologist who designed a pyramid to represent the way people learn. The bottom layer of his taxonomy pyramid is memorization, followed by translation, interpretation, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation at the top. Today, we find slight variations of this pyramid, but the steps in the learning process are the same. A learner must complete the bottom step first and then proceed through each step until the material is mastered.

The curricula in traditional schools, the modern curricula stop short halfway up the pyramid and oftentimes don’t thoroughly complete the first few steps. It teaches scholars how to apply new information and provides plenty of practice to do so. But the last three pyramid levels are the critical thinking levels. In contrast to modern education, Classical Education takes its scholars to the top; i.e., they take their learning material through the wringer of comparing and contrasting, analyzing, putting things together in new ways to see if it still works, and evaluating the results. Thus, in a more thorough manner, scholars are learning how to think, not just what to think.

Such skills prepare classical scholars for any career path they choose. After completing their journey up to the top of the pyramid many, many times, they have trained their minds to think through all facets of a concept and to make wise judgments and decisions based upon this thinking. Reasoning skills such as these will serve them well in any occupation after graduation.

Classical Education schools also demonstrate a balance in the use of technology. Inherent in the curricula is time spent on discussion, debate, and studying literature and languages. As more time is spent on these activities, less time is devoted to the use of computer programs and time on the internet. While they don’t view technology as detrimental, they place a higher value on the foundational learning that comes from social interaction and collaboration.

Finally, Classical Education is a better choice than modern curricula because it feeds scholars’ curiosity and desire for more information. In other words, it creates lifelong learners. Not only are classical scholars learning the subjects they’re studying, but behind the scenes, they’re learning that they enjoy finding out new things and expanding their knowledge.

How Leman Academy Brings Classical Education to Life

Scholars attending the Leman Academy of Excellence, a tuition-free Classical Education charter school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, experience such curriculum highlights as learning Latin, the study of classical literature, and history-centered instruction.

With teacher-led learning and rich discussions, scholars share insights and opinions on the history and events that make up their classical studies. These types of discussions compel scholars to make their own moral decisions, thus building strong personal character.

Unlike learning in a traditional classroom, scholars in classical schools don’t learn in isolation. For instance, they aren’t required to simply read an assigned chapter and take notes during a lecture. Instead, they’re encouraged to engage with each other and share their thoughts and ideas. At Leman Academy, this social integration of learning is what brings it to life and forms long-term memories of the material learned.

“Leman Academy of Excellence is my favorite school in Parker, Colorado. We had the opportunity to try a private school and another charter school before Leman and our kids have thrived and excelled in Leman the most.”

— Joy E., Leman Parent

“We’re so grateful we found Leman. Rigorous academics, responsive staff, and the classical approach is phenomenal. Both my kids are thriving.”

— Stephanie S., Leman Parent

“We absolutely love this school! After trying a few other charters, we landed at Leman and could not be more thrilled.”

— Ksena M., Leman Parent

Conclusion

In an era when traditional modern education is leading to parental dissatisfaction, more and more parents are turning to schools that utilize the Classical Education model of learning. Parents are finding that the classical model provides their children with a much more meaningful and lasting educational foundation. Classical scholars graduate as accomplished, lifelong learners.

Schedule a tour with The Leman Academy of Excellence and learn how their Classical Education model can spark your children’s academic growth!

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Learning to read is one of the most difficult cognitive achievements people ever have in their lives, yet children must master this feat in their first five or six years. Children must first learn the letter-sound relationships of the alphabet letters, then begin to decode simple words. The importance of learning to read well cannot be overstated — when scholars do not know how to read well, it impacts the remainder of their scholastic lives and beyond.

The state of Arizona took steps to ensure its scholars met reading standards in 2013 with their “Move on When Reading” law. This legislation prevents promotion from the third grade for any scholar who doesn’t master sufficient reading benchmarks on the state’s assessments.

In this blog, we will evaluate Arizona’s progress after twelve years since this law was implemented. We’ll also take a look at how schools other than traditional district schools, such as The Leman Academy of Excellence, not only meet Arizona’s reading achievement goals but exceed well beyond expectations.

What is Arizona’s Reading Framework?

The National Assessment Education Panel (NAEP) scores the nation’s reading level achievement for scholars in the fourth, eighth, and twelfth grades. The latest average score for fourth graders’ reading ability in 2024 is 215 out of a possible perfect score of 500. As a nation, we are aware of a serious reading deficit among our youth, but in 2013, Arizona implemented its Reading Framework, aka their “Move on When Reading” law, to address this problem.

Components of Arizona’s reading law include:

  • Core reading programs in schools with at least seven and a half hours per week of reading instruction
  • The implementation of reading intervention programs for struggling readers, based upon screening twice per school year
  • Progress monitoring tools
  • Professional development plans
  • Dyslexia training for staff
  • Explicit evidence-based reading instruction and independent reading time

Arizona’s “Move on When Reading” (MOWR) law allocates an average of $145 per K-3 student for staffing, instructional materials, assessments and professional development per school year. Both traditional public schools and charter schools are required to submit literacy plans for approval by the state to access these funds.

Current Performance in Arizona Schools

Arizona’s MOWR law predicts that 72% of their third graders will be proficient in reading by the year 2030 and 90% proficient by 2039. From 2009 to 2019, Arizona was one of only nine states to demonstrate significant increases in early elementary reading proficiency; NAEP scores rose from 210 to 216. However, when the COVID pandemic began, NAEP scores in language arts fell from 46% to 35%.

Today, the state continues recovering from the COVID-era setbacks, with recommendations from the Department of Education:

  • Require that all local education agencies (LEA) submit annual literacy plans every year
  • Use the collected data to shape reading instruction needs and policy
  • Expand parental notification of reading progress
  • Provide $650,000 every 3 years for literacy resources and training
  • Budget $8.1 million to deploy 75 literacy coaches to serve 60,000 students in 150 schools
  • Institute a policy that would reward and incentivize schools for student growth in early literacy

Despite the energized efforts at the state level for literacy improvement in Arizona schools, the fact is many schools face challenges in meeting these goals. Teacher shortages impede learning, with nearly 78% of Arizona’s teaching positions now vacant.

Additionally, an estimated 25% of Arizona’s public schools are not using the Department of Education’s core reading program as outlined in the Move on When Reading policy. Some schools are not required to submit their literacy plans annually, which creates data gaps in monitoring efforts.

Another challenge in reaching literacy goals is that with today’s technology, many students arrive in college without ever having read an entire book. Reliance on screen-based instruction for reading has had harmful effects and must be balanced with print literature for a well-rounded literacy education.

Why Early Literacy Still Falls Short in Many Public Schools

Despite a state-required literacy plan, public schools still fall short in the success of early literacy learning. One detriment to success is the fact that some literacy teachers proceed without a systemic teaching strategy. They will teach phonics concepts in random, unconnected, and inconsistent methods that result in learning gaps and confusion among their scholars. Furthermore, many teachers still rely too much on context cues and picture prompts, which causes scholars to guess at unknown words rather than apply their phonics decoding skills.

Families supportive of teachers’ efforts to instruct their children often begin helping out at home with phonics instruction, but trail off as other family members’ needs and schedules compete. Without daily routines in school and at home, scholars’ opportunities for learning the necessary phonics skills are short-changed.

Early literacy goals are also subject to getting cut off due to time spent on test preparation. Test prep activities take time away from the much-needed learning experiences that help academic achievement. With a scarcity of time already in place for teaching core subjects, test prep only exacerbates this problem. The same can be said for over-emphasis on any one type of activity, such as STEM, that reduces the time for explicit phonics instruction in the early grades.

A final consideration of why literacy education falls short in our public schools is the high variability of instruction implementation from school to school and district to district. Teachers and schools within districts are not all on the same page when it comes to structured teaching. Inconsistency in phonics instruction sometimes varies widely between different schools and districts.

How Classical Education Approaches Literacy Differently

Until a few years ago, most reading instruction in schools was based on word-cueing systems and whole-language approaches. These reading strategies involved guessing unknown words by the context in which they were used and memorizing how whole words looked. Today, classrooms are seeing the return of a phonics literacy approach, which is teaching scholars to decode words by their letter-sound relationships.

Classical Education embraces the time-tested practice of using phonics with content-rich literature. Featuring classical and moral stories as well as poetry, literacy development is grounded in time-honored texts. The English language is complex; a systematic, explicit teaching strategy is necessary to help scholars learn phonics, pronunciation, and spellings and to become familiar with exceptions to most spellings. With a strategic, consistent plan and by encouraging scholars to read aloud, teachers guide them toward mastery in literacy.

In addition to phonics, grammar and vocabulary development are emphasized. Classical Education also encompasses public speaking for young scholars — they’re given many opportunities to prepare and present topics to the rest of the class.

With the smaller class sizes in classical classrooms, more time and attention can be given to scholars to foster reading fluency and comprehension.

How Leman Academy Supports Strong Literacy Outcomes

The National Reading Panel and its Science of Reading strategy synthesized research-based findings on how people learn to read. Having instilled five pillars for the successful development of reading ability, Classical Education embraces these pillars in its curricula for teaching literacy. The five pillars are:

  • Phonetic Awareness
  • Phonics
  • Fluency
  • Vocabulary
  • Comprehension

The Leman Academy of Excellence, a Classical Education school, fosters literacy by emphasizing books that bring subjects to life for the reader, writing in copybooks, and narrating what they have read in their own words.

Using classical literature that stresses moral topics and critical thinking, for example, Aesop’s fables, early readers are shown how to decode words with letter-sound relationships. From simple to more complex words, grammar scholars build their vocabularies, read more fluently, and are then able to comprehend what they read. Tied to topics of history and morals, scholars’ writings demonstrate mastery of phonics and spelling.

With a high level of parent involvement at school and at home, Leman’s scholars’ reading and writing progress is transparently monitored.

Why Parents Are Choosing Alternatives to Public Schools

Among teaching shortages, inconsistent implementation of strategies in literacy teaching, and time spent on test preparation, parents are looking for an alternative to traditional school models to help their children learn to read and write. The early elementary years are the most critical because any reading delays during these years make it difficult for scholars to catch up later on.

Parents want an education model with a clear, proven literacy strategy. They want their children to grow into exceptional readers with the ability to not only comprehend what they read but also apply higher-order thinking skills such as inference, reasoning, logic, and conclusion.

The Leman Academy of Excellence is a tuition-free Classical Education charter school teaching K-8 in Colorado and Arizona. Leman Academy also offers virtual education for students anywhere in the state of Arizona. Leman excels with superior literacy outcomes, with 67% of scholars scoring at or above the proficient level of reading. Compare that to the state of Arizona’s NAEP score of 46.4% in 2024, which was lower than the national average.

Conclusion

Arizona’s Reading Framework, with its Move on When Reading law implemented in 2013, is ambitious. Many traditional schools are falling short of the goals outlined in this legislation.

However, if you’re a parent who’s looking for a different educational model, check out The Leman Academy of Excellence. They’re rising to the challenge and exceeding with clear, results-driven reading instruction.

Explore How Leman Academy Can Help Your Child Become A Confident, Proficient Reader!

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The bar is dropping. Passing criteria for high school graduations are lowered like the height of the stick in a limbo contest. Symptoms of this problem are seen in such incidents as removing advanced placement or honors classes from school schedules, lowering grading standards by not including homework in final grades, and lowering test standards. These are all misguided aims at creating student equity, but lowering the bar does not help underachieving students; it only hurts these struggling students.

As parents witness their children dropping further behind, there is a call for a return to structure and more meaningful learning. Parents are calling for more challenging learning goals to prepare their children for college and for life.

Many solutions have been brought to the table, such as increased compensation for teachers, greater budgets for schools, and more available help for struggling students. But one particular solution is on the rise — reinstating Classical Education as a foundation for learning. It’s considered a holistic, “back to the future” style of learning that develops thinking skills and character in the scholars who learn with the method.

Leman Academy of Excellence is one such institution utilizing Classical Education. A K-8 school with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, it also offers virtual schooling for scholars who reside anywhere in the state of Arizona.

Why the magnetism toward Classical Education? In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons and demonstrate why it is foundational to a quality education.

Reviving Academic Excellence

Classical Education’s success is inherent in the design of the Trivium, the blueprint for the model. Divided into three age-related segments, the Trivium outlines the method of mastery for scholars based on their mental development and acuity. The first stage, the Grammar Stage, is for children from five to eleven years old. At this age, children’s minds are “sponges” soaking up a plethora of information from a wide range of exposure. In the Grammar Stage, children are busy acquiring knowledge, memorizing and recalling information.

When the child reaches the age of twelve, he enters the Logic Stage. This is the “middle school” age when scholars’ minds begin to expand to include abstract thinking and can hold onto more complex thoughts simultaneously. At this point, the Trivium directs scholars to higher-order thinking, such as analyzing, comparing and contrasting, synthesizing, and evaluating ideas.

Finally, the high school years are aligned with the third stage, the Rhetoric Stage of the Trivium. As its name suggests, in this stage, scholars become vocal, expressing their opinions, developing arguments, and debating their ideas.

In this way, the Trivium makes students masters of their subjects of study: mathematics, writing, reading, history, science, and humanities. Classical Education contains a rich, content-driven curriculum rooted in the liberal arts.

Unlike today’s public school districts’ education, Classical Education focuses on lifelong learning and cultivates a genuine love for learning.

Developing Critical Thinkers

In the previous section, we examined the blueprint of the Trivium, the model of Classical Education. Now, let’s look at how these stages work together to create well-educated scholars.

In today’s district schools, their goal is to prepare scholars for careers, and that’s not a bad goal, but it’s often pursued to the detriment of teaching them how to think. Knowledge is taught and retained for the purpose of passing tests. For some schools, this goal is extremely important because higher test scores translate into more state funding for the schools. But Classical Education pursues a different goal; it teaches students how to think, not what to think.

Scholars of Classical Education engage in reading and discussing classic literature, which contains rich language and is heavily laden with complex plots. Characters in this literature echo our human tendencies, desires, dreams and goals and are often seen engaging in struggles with morality, law, or authority. Socratic discussions ensue, seeking to answer timeless questions and encourage scholars’ development of virtue, moral reasoning, strong communication, and analytical thinking. In this manner, scholars learn how to weigh opposing thoughts and make informed decisions. Such training and practice produce citizens who know how to think and be decisive. Classical Education today produces societies’ leaders of tomorrow.

Reinvigorating Scholars

Historical events also play an important part in Classical Education. Students are encouraged in the Grammar Stage to learn names, events, and dates of important turning points in history. In the Logic Stage, they study the actions taken by national leaders and discuss different ways events could have been managed. For example, was the Trail of Tears necessary? How could the white man have lived alongside the Cherokee and Chickasaw peacefully? What problems have resulted from moving the county’s indigenous peoples to reservations in the West? When scholars reach the Rhetoric Stage, they might take this discussion further and form an argument for not moving them, citing resources to support their claims. By encouraging scholars to form their own ideas and shape their opinions on humanitarian issues, Classical Education helps them to find purpose and personal identity through education.

Classical Education offers a structured environment yet leaves room for inspiration. When scholars are encouraged to form their own opinions and ideas, a sense of self-value is likewise encouraged. Reinvigorated, they see themselves as people with something to say, and they develop confidence. They also deepen their own sense of virtue, valuing a moral character. They become inspired by the adults they see themselves becoming.

The Leman Academy Difference in Colorado

Classical Education is being valued as a true model for learning once again. This method of teaching is on the rise — at a 4.8% annual growth rate, it outpaces most education sectors. One of the nation’s forefront Classical Education schools is Leman Academy of Excellence. With campuses in Arizona and Colorado, Leman Academy is making a difference in education. According to the U.S. News & World Report,  Leman Academy of Excellence scored 54% at or above the proficient levels for reading and 46% for math. Compare that to the national averages of 38% and 33%, respectively. Colorado scholars in public district schools scored 34% in reading proficiency and 33% in math proficiency.

“Amazing school. Excellent curriculum and the school is tuition-free.”

— Leman Academy Parent

“Excellent. We absolutely love this school. Character development integrated into a classical approach is a rare find these days. The quality of education is excellent.”

— Leman Academy Parent

Conclusion

Children spend 13 years of their lives in school, learning and training for life as adults. Classical Education, under the Trivium, is an integrated and consistent approach that powerfully transforms young minds and hearts to become thinkers and leaders in the world. Raising the bar in education is something we must do as a society to better prepare our children for the lives ahead of them. We must answer the call to better education, and Classical Education gives us a time-honored, exceptional path to take.

Schedule a Visit and Experience Classical Education Firsthand at Leman Academy!

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When you hear a stampede in the next five years, don’t think of either horses or zebras. Think Generation Z. They’re the individuals who will make up over one-third of our workforce by the year 2030. Just as our society has changed drastically over the last 20 years, so have the demands of our workforce.

Currently, the skills gap is widening rapidly in the workplace; this means the difference between employees’ skills and those needed by employers does not match — only 30% of today’s employees possess the skills to perform their jobs effectively. Is this the fault of school educators or graduation rates? No, it’s simply the result of changes in workplace needs, outdated training strategies, and high turnover rates on jobs. So, what kinds of skills should today’s schools focus on to best prepare their scholars for successful careers?

It’s no longer enough for students to concentrate solely on academics or job-specific knowledge because the impact of evolving technology requires sets of skills that go beyond these knowledge bases. Today, workers need skills in addition to their knowledge base to be successful; they need soft skills, and they need technological skills. Which type of skill matters the most?

To find out, let’s explore workplace needs for the 21st century and see how we can prepare today’s scholars for the needs of a rapidly changing workplace. In this blog, we’ll examine:

  • Definitions of Soft Skills and Technological Skills
  • The Importance of Soft Skills in Today’s World
  • Why Technical Skills Still Matter
  • Why Scholars Need Both Types of Skills
  • Tips for Parents and Educators
  • How Leman Academy of Excellence Approaches Skill Set Development

 What are Soft Skills and Technological Skills?

Soft skills can be defined as those that help people get along well with their coworkers, clients, and other job-related personnel. Skills such as the ability to network, communicate, engage in teamwork, and use critical thinking are those that are called “soft skills”.

LinkedIn recently published a list of the top 15 soft skills needed for success in the working environment. They predict that by 2030, 70% of traditional skills used on the job will have changed. Their recommended number one skill that all workers should embrace is AI literacy. Skills that follow AI literacy are conflict mitigation, adaptability, process optimization, and innovative thinking. People develop soft skills through social interaction, character building and real-world life experiences. They can’t be explicitly taught but are acquired through a person’s conscious shaping of his or her behavior.

Technological skills, however, can be taught. These are the abilities to manage and interact with computer-based technology. Examples include coding, math proficiency, data analysis, cloud computing, and digital marketing. Such skills are usually taught in academic settings.

The Importance of Soft Skills in Today’s World

According to a Pew Research Center, 35% of post-Covid employees are working remotely full-time, and 41% work in a hybrid arrangement, with some work in the office and some at home. In these situations, where work is discussed via phone, text, and email, there’s a significant need for workers who can develop positive communication skills and build relationships with coworkers.

Due to this trend, most employers today are prioritizing soft skill abilities. Some even view it as more important than work readiness, with a “hire for attitude, train for skill” approach.

The benefits of soft skills include stronger leadership, improved problem-solving, better teamwork, and enhanced efficiency and productivity.

Despite the importance of soft skill abilities, LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner has stated that the lack of soft skills currently makes up the largest skill gap in the U.S.

Why Technical Skills Still Matter

Although today’s workforce places a higher importance on soft skills now more than ever, technical skills are still needed to fill the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields in modern industries. Having acquired these skills, graduates are finding occupations as data engineers, software engineers, network/cloud architects, cybersecurity specialists, systems engineers, programmers, and analysts.

Digital literacy, the ability to work using computer technology, is paramount in today’s workforce. In this tech-driven world, the importance of digital literacy cannot be overstated. Even for people who do not work in technological fields, it’s important for people to know how to protect themselves by safeguarding their personal data, recognizing phishing attempts, and understanding cybersecurity risks.

Bridging the Gap: Why Today’s Scholars Need Both Types of Skills

Although both technical and soft skills are desired in today’s modern workforce, they’re not absolute. Most occupations require a mixture of both to be successful in work. Today’s employers are seeking a hybrid skillset in their candidates to develop a talented workforce.

Strong hybrid skillsets are found in such tasks as AI prompting, asynchronous communications, software debugging, and quality assurance.

How can today’s schools prepare scholars for these skill sets? Classrooms can foster skill growth by engaging scholars in discussions, projects that require collaboration, and organizing scholar presentations. By encouraging participation in interactive learning, practicing real-world problem-solving scenarios, and emphasizing the importance of ethics, empathy, and leadership, teachers guide scholars in developing soft skills as well as technical skills for the modern workforce.

Tips for Parents and Educators

Just as learning to read, write, and calculate can be encouraged in the home environment, so can soft skills be nurtured at home. As a parent, you can encourage your children to practice good communication skills when they answer the phone and take messages, provide opportunities for your child to develop skills working within a team, and help them develop empathy for others.

Likewise, technical skills can be encouraged at home, too. Provide supervised time for your children to “work” on the computer. Many children enjoy computer games and, in this way, learn their way around technical jargon and keystrokes. Special coding classes for kids are available, too. You can check out Coding with Kids, CodaKid, and coding summer camps.

By practicing both soft and technical skills at home, you prepare your children to be well-rounded adults.

How Leman Academy of Excellence Approaches Skillset Development

Leman Academy of Excellence, a Classical Education K-8 charter school with campuses in both Arizona and Colorado, promotes development in both soft and technical skills.

Character development is a fundamental goal of the Classical Education model. Virtues such as wisdom, courage, and justice are intertwined with the academic curriculum. Scholars study classical literature and then follow up with discussions about the virtues integrated into the literature. At the rhetorical stage of classical learning, scholars adopt positions on social issues and present their arguments.

In addition to soft skill development, Leman Academy supports logic, reasoning and hands-on learning in fields that contribute to the development of technical abilities. Its emphasis on critical thinking and analytical skills are imperative for solving complex technical challenges. Leman also offers extracurricular activities, including clubs, projects and activities in which scholars explore the uses and benefits of technology.

Conclusion

Preparing scholars for the future workforce involves preparing the whole child. While most public schools emphasize acquiring knowledge with the goal of passing exams, it’s important to shape our scholars’ abilities to communicate well and be fair, kind, and supportive of others in their endeavors. It’s likewise crucial to help our scholars grow with the technological skills they’ll need to excel in the adult world. All of these factors, knowledge, social skills, and technical skills are necessary in nurturing today’s youth for them to be successful in life.

See How The Leman Academy of Excellence Prepares Their Scholars for Success

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Colorado is home to one of the most extensive school-choice landscapes in the country. Parents seeking a school to match their children’s needs and styles of learning can choose between traditional public schools, charter schools, private institutions, online programs, and homeschooling. As an open enrollment state, scholars can enroll across district boundaries to attend the school of their choice. 

In nearly all cases, the driving factor for school choice is the underperformance of neighborhood district schools. Charter schools outperform traditional public schools in state assessments, including those in high-poverty areas. Since charter schools are also tuition-free public schools, families are withdrawing their children from traditional schools to enroll them in one of Colorado’s 269 charter schools. 

Charter schools teach the core subjects as required by the state, but each school is free to design its own curriculum and pedagogies. Also, with fewer scholars in their classes, they receive more time and attention. Thus, with flexibility in educational design and smaller class sizes, parents find these schools to be a better match for their children’s needs.

This blog will highlight the differences between traditional and charter schools and explain why a charter education would be advantageous for your child. You’ll read about:

  • Charter Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools: Key Differences
  • Higher Academic Standards and Student Success
  • Personalized Learning and Smaller Classes
  • A Focus on Charter Education and Stronger School Culture
  • Addressing Colorado’s Educational Challenges
  • Why More Families are Choosing Charter Schools

Charter Schools vs. Traditional Public Schools: Key Differences

Grant, Seth, and Sydney live on the same suburban street, but they all attend different charter schools. Grant, a sixth-grader, spends most of his time absorbed in science, technology, engineering, and math in a STEM-based curriculum at his school. 

Seth, who benefits best from tactile and hands-on materials, learns with a Montessori program in his school. 

Sydney attends a classical education charter school where she studies humanities and applies critical thinking and problem-solving skills in her learning journey. 

Each child attends a charter school, but their paths of learning differ widely because charter schools are free to design their own teaching approaches.

In contrast, traditional public schools must work with a rigid curriculum in which certain subjects are taught a certain way. Teachers don’t have the class time to explore innovative teaching methods. In their classrooms, one size must fit all. 

You might be wondering how charter schools are held accountable since they have these freedoms. The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) contracts with the state’s charter schools. These contracts grant autonomy in areas like curriculum and staffing, but require them to meet specific academic, financial, and organizational obligations to ensure their responsibility for student outcomes. 

Another major difference between the two types of schools is that charters consistently demonstrate higher proficiency on state assessments in English Language Arts and Math. Showing up to a 5% lead on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS), scholars are mastering these subjects. 

A final key difference is the manner in which their education is funded. In Colorado, The Public School Finance Act ensures funding for both types of schools. They both receive state funding based on Per Pupil Operating Revenue, which is determined using the enrollment numbers from each school. 

Financial support for traditional schools is supplied via a combination of state funds and local revenue, including property taxes. Traditional schools also have access to local bond measures and levies that support capital projects such as school maintenance and the construction of new schools. 

In contrast, charter schools don’t receive property tax funds. Instead, the state provides additional support to offset the difference. Nor can charter schools hold levies for capital support. 

They do, however, receive grants and donations from corporations, organizations, and individuals, which provide an additional boost to their financial base. 

Even though charter schools have different funding structures than traditional schools, they are tuition-free public schools and are free for scholars to attend. 

Higher Academic Standards and Student Success

Scholars at The Leman Academy of Excellence, with campuses in Arizona and Colorado, have shown tremendous success in their standardized test scores for 2025. In Parker, Colorado, 57% of scholars achieved a proficiency level or higher in reading, surpassing the state average of 45%. In mathematics, 40% of Leman’s scholars were proficient compared to the state average of 32%. 

How are Leman Academy’s scholars able to perform so well? There are several reasons. Here are a few: 

  • With a rigorous Classical Education model, scholars at Leman follow the Trivium, which includes the Grammar stage for ages 5-11 and the Logic stage for ages 12-14. Leman’s schools teach grades K-8, but scholars are adequately prepared for the Rhetoric stage in their high school years. 
  • Leman also offers a unique approach to mathematics; scholars begin the first grade level of math in their kindergarten years. By eighth grade, they’re studying Algebra I, which is normally covered in the freshman year of high school. 
  • Debate classes and the study of logic occur during the Logic stage of the Trivium, when scholars learn the art of reasoning and argument. With a focus on critical thinking, they become independent thinkers and effective communicators. 
  • The Classical Education model incorporates the Socratic Method of teaching. It challenges scholars to learn new information, delving deeply into subjects, by asking questions and leading discussions. 
  • Lastly, Leman’s Classical Education approach encourages academic achievement with the Trivium through its integrated studies in humanities, philosophy, literature, mathematics, science, and languages. Leman ranks in the top 30% of public schools in Colorado, reflecting the school’s commitment to academic excellence. 

Personalized Learning and Smaller Class Sizes

Many charter schools place a cap on enrollment to ensure smaller class sizes. In this way, teachers can spend more one-on-one time with their scholars. This way, they’re better able to identify their challenges and learning styles more easily. In a classroom with fewer students, teachers can provide customized support for those who need more help and those who need more advanced material. 

In addition to smaller classes, charter schools are free to design their own curricula to align with their individual philosophy or teaching method. Teachers practice innovative teaching and personalized learning, giving scholars abundant opportunities to learn at their best. 

The impact of a personalized education in a charter school can be felt for a lifetime. Follow these two charter school alumni to understand how it affected them: 

  1. When Maya was 17 years old, she enrolled in New Dawn Charter High School in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to her enrollment, she was behind in credits and struggled with attendance. Her experience in a traditional large class left her feeling disconnected and alone. But Maya discovered a completely different atmosphere at New Dawn. There, she received tailored support and mentorship, individualized learning plans, and flexible scheduling. Not only did Maya catch up academically, but she began to enjoy learning again. 
  2. In 2017, scholar Raven Osborne earned a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University Northwest a few weeks before graduating from high school. He attended 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Indiana, and with a combination of personalized education plans and dual credits earned in high school, he received his high school and college diplomas in the same season. 

Every scholar has his or her individual strengths. Charter school teachers are better able to encourage them to develop their strengths and make the most of their time in school. 

A Focus on Character Education and a Stronger School Culture

Scholars spend an average of 32.5 hours each week in school. In the school setting, they engage with many other people at any given time, creating an environment ideally suited to learning how to be kind, ethical, and supportive people. Character education, the building of core values such as respect, honesty, responsibility, fairness, and compassion, gives scholars a moral compass to guide their behavior both in and out of the classroom. 

Young people enrolled at The Leman Academy of Excellence follow six virtues that are woven into the curriculum and daily interactions: caring, citizenship, perseverance, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness. Along with these virtues, scholars study moral dilemmas within classical literature and historical texts, which lead them to a deep understanding of ethical principles. 

At Leman, parents are considered “partners” in their children’s learning. As a cornerstone of student success, parental involvement has a healthy impact on their children’s academic and character growth.

Addressing Colorado’s Educational Challenges

If you live in Colorado and you’re exploring school choice options, discovering what charter schools have to offer your children may be your solution to underperforming traditional schools. Given the benefits of the attention teachers can give your child, an interesting and challenging curriculum, and a strong emphasis on academics and character development, your children might thrive in a charter school environment. 

Furthermore, charter schools can extend their access to quality education to communities that face barriers to scholastic resources, such as well-funded schools and libraries. They are geographically dispersed throughout Colorado, serving families in over 70 regions in urban, suburban, and rural areas. A wide distribution of charter schools allows families from low-income areas to have school choices.  

A tremendous amount of support for Colorado’s charter schools comes from the state’s governor, Jared Polis. His commitment to school choice is seen in his opposition to House Bill 24-1363, which would weaken school choice. Revoking and not renewing some existing charters, this bill threatened to weaken charter schools’ ability to appeal local school board decisions to the state board and eliminate waivers to certain state statutes. Facing wild opposition from parents, school administrators and other charter school advocates, the bill was defeated by an 8-3 vote. 

As you can see, the communities and the government in Colorado strongly support your choice of a charter school education for your children.  

Why More Families are Choosing Charter Schools 

As traditional schools struggle to provide a quality education, Colorado has witnessed an accelerated demand for charter school education. From 2011 to 2022, the number of students enrolled in charter schools increased 65% and continues to do so. Let’s hear why they chose charter schools:

“My son Griffin was falling through the cracks in the large school setting of our district school.  But, after enrolling him in the Denver School of Science and Technology, he experienced a smaller class size and hands-on structure that significantly increased his academic performance. His younger brother, who struggled with math, earned high academic honors in mathematics at DSST.” 

— Denver Parent

“A parent at French American School of Denver values the school’s dual language immersion program. Marie Elalem shared that her son wakes up excited to attend school daily, thriving in the French immersion environment. Another parent highlighted the school’s creative projects and global perspective, noting the unique opportunity for their child to learn a second language in a tuition-free setting.”  

— From the Community

If you would like to enroll your child in one of Colorado’s impressive charter schools, first find out the enrollment procedures and dates of your chosen school. Once you’ve applied, if the amount of applications exceeds the number of seats available, the school will use a random lottery to fairly select the candidates for open spots. After that, any child not selected will be put on a waitlist. 

The Leman Academy of Excellence hosts open enrollment that typically runs from November 1 to the end of December each year. For the year 2025, an open enrollment is also held January 22 until August 2, 2025. To enroll in Leman, go to the Douglas County School District (DCSD) open-enrollment page and set up an account. Use the portal to select The Leman Academy of Excellence as your school of choice. 

Conclusion

Public education in Colorado is improving with the increasing demand for charter schools. 

Take advantage of Colorado’s school choice landscape and find the best school for your children. You’ll be setting them off onto a lifelong path of opportunity, achievement, and success. 

Learn More About Leman Academy and How It Provides a High-Quality, Tuition-Free Education in Colorado!

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What method of teaching has been in practice for two and a half millennia, has developed the minds of some of our country’s greatest leaders, and is still in practice in many of today’s schools? The Classical Education model of teaching has played a substantial role in shaping Western Civilization, transmitting knowledge and values across countless generations.

Rooted in ancient Greece, Classical Education was the foundation of learning laid by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Based on a three-part approach to learning known as the Trivium, it’s made up of  the Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric stages of learning. Classical Education is characterized by developing scholars’ minds, bodies, and spirits through an integrated curriculum of math, science, history, geography, languages and literature. It emphasizes character development and critical thinking, encouraging scholars to discover what is true and beautiful in the world.

As the Industrial Revolution was well underway at the start of the 20th century, methods of teaching began to shift from classical models to progressive models to prepare young people for careers in the industrial world. 

Likewise, with the Technological Revolution of today’s world, schools seek to prepare scholars for careers in STEM: science, technology, engineering, and math. Modern educators frequently view classical learning as outdated; however, this is a misconception because the classical approach teaches lifelong skills such as how to analyze, question, and reason. 

When scholars receive a classical background, they develop strong communication skills, cultural literacy, moral and ethical grounding, and the appreciation of enduring human curiosity. These are skills that prepare young people for lifelong success, equipping them for college and careers, regardless of their chosen fields for study. 

Here is a breakdown of the many benefits young people receive in the classical setting:

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • Effective Communication and Persuasive Writing
  • A Strong Work Ethic and Self-Discipline
  • A Love for Lifelong Learning
  • Ethical Leadership and Character Development
  • College and Career Readiness

Let’s take a closer look at each exceptional benefit that your child could develop in a classical education classroom. 

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Critical thinking, the ability to analyze information objectively and form reasoned judgments, is developed in classical learning by engaging with classical texts. Such great works as The Iliad, The Odyssey, Beowulf, and Dante’s Divine Comedy are dense and layered with meaning. Through lively Socratic discussions, scholars explore such human concerns as justice, virtue, and freedom. They write persuasive essays defending their ideas using advanced thinking and reasoning.  

From examining classical literature and engaging in discussions, scholars develop the abilities to think logically, argue persuasively, and solve complex problems — key skills for successful careers. How does this model of education foster independent thought? Let’s look at a couple of examples: 

1. Scholars in the classical education setting learn how to write and speak persuasively. When they study Rousseau and Augustine, they discuss the age-old topic of “Is man inherently good or evil?” With evidential support from the texts they’ve studied, scholars generate and defend their own well-thought theses. 

2. In another example, class discussion arises over the study of Sophocles’ Antigone, regarding whether it’s moral to defy state law to follow divine law. This leads to a rich conversation about ethics, duty, and integrity. Critical thinking and character development frequently walk hand-in-hand during such deep discussions.

Effective Communication and Persuasive Writing

If you choose a Classical Education setting for your child’s schooling, your child’s high school years will align with the Trivium’s Rhetoric stage. At this time, all the knowledge and analytical thinking he or she has explored up to this point will serve as a foundation for this stage. 

Scholars in Rhetoric learning use their previous learning, along with a study of the humanities, to formulate opinions on various issues. They practice communicating their thoughts through compelling speeches and written essays that propose, defend, and argue their points. These skills will serve them well later in college and in their careers. 

For example, these young adults will be able to craft superb essays on their college applications. They’ll know how to express themselves on job applications and in professional settings. They’ll also have experience in decision-making and public speaking, which will make them an excellent fit for leadership roles in their chosen professions. 

Effective communication is a highly sought skill that professionals desire in their business settings and one best prepared for in a classical setting. 

Strong Work Ethic and Self-Discipline

The Classical Education model raises the bar of academic expectations. It ensures scholars will learn to think thoroughly and completely, from gaining knowledge to applying it, as well as analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating, and creating it. As they repetitively take these rigorous steps to mastery, the trait of perseverance is carved into their work ethic. 

When you explore Classical Education, you’ll notice how scholars begin with foundational knowledge before they progress to advanced concepts. This begins with the Grammar stage, the first step in the Trivium. It coincides with early and intermediate grade levels, ages 5 – 11. During this stage, scholars commit a wide breadth of knowledge to memory using songs, chants, rhymes, and games. 

Moving into the Logic stage, with their ability now to use abstract thinking, this absorbed knowledge will be called forth to be analyzed, compared, contrasted, and explored.

Progressing from the Logic stage to the coinciding high school years of the Rhetoric stage, scholars use their foundational knowledge plus their critical thinking skills to form opinions,  judgments, and beliefs. They debate, learn to persuade, argue, and promote their ideas. 

As you see, the structure of the Trivium is aligned with age-related brain development and the thinking skills of its scholars. In this way, they interact with knowledge as they’re able to, and aspire to achieve the level of their potential. 

With spirited discussions and classical literature requiring deep thinking, scholars engage with rich, timeless ideas. They learn that their education is part of a bigger story. Motivated by the “big picture”, they intrinsically manage their time, developing a strong work ethic. 

A Love for Lifelong Learning

Instead of viewing each school subject — literature, history, philosophy, languages, mathematics, and science — as its own isolated segment, classical scholars see these subjects as interrelated. For example, scholars might read Pliny the Younger’s account of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in ancient Pompeii. Here, they might learn how the ancient people of Pompeii lived, the geography of the area, the political and moral aspects of Roman rule, the science of volcanoes and the math used to interpret the science. 

So many benefits are available to scholars through the classical model, including a passion for learning. Classical scholars learn to appreciate learning by becoming personally engaged in the pursuit of knowledge. They can satisfy their curiosities about the world and follow up with in-depth studies of their subjects. Thus, they discover connections between their subjects,  presenting them with coherence and coordination in their minds. 

As this sense of coordination grows, scholars develop an enhanced mental agility, which is an important skill to have in today’s ever-changing job market. In the working world, professionals need to adapt to change, acquire new skills, and embrace new technologies. High-quality professional performance is dependent upon workers having a broader perspective. The classical model adequately prepares young people for the professional world. 

Ethical Leadership and Character Development

Just as important as the acquisition of knowledge and the ability to think critically, Classical Education seeks to cultivate virtue. Virtue is the habit of right thinking and doing the right things. Throughout the three stages of the Trivium, lessons in virtue are discussed at levels appropriate to scholars’ ages. 

By studying classical literature along with discussions and deep contemplation, scholars develop what C.S. Lewis called the moral imagination. This is the ability to empathize and envision a just society. Scholars learn from both ancient and modern examples of statesmanship, service, and sacrifice. They learn to understand what is moral, good, and true. Such study guides them to become moral, just, and ethical leaders as adults. 

Some examples of leaders in history who were classically trained were Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, Ernest Hemingway, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, as well as most of the Founding Fathers. 

College and Career Readiness: A Competitive Advantage

Top universities in our country seek to enroll scholars who can think analytically, argue persuasively, and communicate clearly. Through the Logic and Rhetoric stages of the Trivium, classical scholars develop these very skills. They know how to lead discussions, think independently, and contribute original insights. 

Likewise, professional industries seek employees with these skills. There is a high demand for well-rounded and articulate leaders who possess excellent communication skills and decision-making abilities. 

Take a look at how Classical Education has benefited these people in their academic and professional journeys:

“Compared to modern education models, which revolve around standardized testing and memorizing pieces of information, the classical method emphasizes gaining wisdom and growing holistically through discussion and apprenticeship.”

— Patrick Henry College Alumnus 

“They are not just book lessons, but life lessons I will take wherever I go. They have shaped my life and helped me become the person I am today.”

— St. Ann Classical Academy Graduate

“My classical education at CCA taught me to think critically and challenged me to develop

 ideas on my own. It not only set me ahead of the majority of my freshman college class, but it also cultivated in me a love for learning that will go with me throughout my adult life”. 

— Christ Classical Academy 

Conclusion

Traditional public schools prepare their scholars for passing tests, promotion to the next grade, and graduation. In contrast, a Classical Education prepares people for success in life. Having acquired exceptional skills in communication, analytical thinking and the development of an ethical character, classical scholars are ready to take on all that college, careers and life brings to them. 

If you’re on the fence about what type of education is best for your child, consider the benefits of a Classical Education and how they prepare your child for a life well-lived. 

Learn More About Leman Academy’s Classical Curriculum and How it Prepares Scholars for Lifelong Success! 

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