As school leaders, we’re all familiar with the pressure of grades, test scores, and college prep. But what if the ultimate goal of education is something more profound? We had a fantastic conversation with Anthony Urti, Head of School at Delaware Valley Classical School, who challenges us to look beyond the report card and focus on cultivating wisdom and virtue. He shared his thoughts on bridging the gap between what we espouse as educators and what our students actually experience.
Spotting the ‘Classical Disconnect’
Urti calls it the ‘classical disconnect’: the gap between our movement’s ideals and our classroom realities. Do we say we want students to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty, but in practice, are we just pushing them to cover the curriculum? We aim for teachers to be mentors, but do they function more like managers and evaluators? The goal is to raise thoughtful students who contemplate deep truths, not just robots who know how to get an ‘A.’ It’s a provocative question for all of us: Are our daily practices truly reflecting our school’s highest mission, or is there a gap we need to address?
Building Virtue Beyond the Gradebook
So, how do we track something as intangible as virtue? Urti admits it’s challenging to grade, but it’s not impossible to cultivate. At his school, they embed character formation into the very rhythm of the day. This includes starting each morning with a short liturgical worship service, incorporating singing throughout the day to form the soul, and systematically memorizing scripture and the catechism. They create service opportunities and foster a culture where teachers know students well enough to have meaningful conversations about character. The key, he notes, isn’t to eliminate grades but to ensure they aren’t the ‘penultimate thing.’ The real focus is on challenging students to pursue excellence and grow into the virtuous citizens and leaders we hope they’ll become.
Ultimately, the journey of education is about forming the whole person. As Urti wisely put it, ‘It’s good to be content, but it’s not great to be complacent.’ Let’s take that to heart. Let’s constantly and creatively seek new ways to deliver on our school’s mission, ensuring that we aren’t just teaching subjects, but are truly shaping souls for a lifetime of wisdom and purpose.
Click here to listen to the full podcast episode.