The Great Conversation
The Classics
While John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were formally educated in the classical tradition, other Americans such as Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Abigail Adams participated in the Great Conversation through studying the classics of their own accord. Our nation developed as the discussion coalesced around a study of key works and ideas from the Western Canon. As with our founding generation, a deep study of these classics holds the potential to aid a scholar in becoming a wiser individual, a liberated citizen, and a keeper and defender of the principles of freedom.
Joining the Conversation
Engaging Scholars with American ideals and personalities
John Adams Academy scholars enter into this same Great Conversation through their study of the greatest works, or "classics," of history with an emphasis on the great books of the Western Tradition. Further, in accordance with our Vision of restoring America’s heritage, the American Classical Leadership Education® curriculum of John Adams Academy engages scholars with the uniquely American ideals and personalities that have shaped the truly great American democratic heritage.
American Classical Leadership Education®
Liberty-based education leading scholars to servant leadership
What was it about America that produced such great servant leaders? Some leaders had formal classical educations. Some were self-educated. George Washington independently read the books his brother sent back from England. Benjamin Franklin gave up eating meat in order to afford the purchase of books. Abigail Adams had no formal education but learned from the classics in her family library. Fredrick Douglass fought for his own education, which ultimately led to his liberation from slavery. What they had in common was they were rooted in liberty and engaged the liberal arts through the classics and mentors.
