Academics
Philosophy and Broad Educational Goals:
The primary focus of the philosophy of the Majestic Ranch Academy is academic
excellence. We will not compromise with mediocrity, no matter what the occasion
or excuse. We categorically reject the lax standards that have infected American
public education, and affirm that the greatest satisfactions are to be found in
the hard work necessary to reach standards of excellence. Our community explicitly
declares its expectations of this hard work and high standards from all students
and employees.
First, as educated human beings, students are to be prepared to take full advantage
of every opportunity for personal development that our society offers. Exposure
to the riches of our civilization, including literature and the arts, is a "basic"
component of education.
Second, as citizens students must be prepared for discharging the duties and
responsibilities of good citizenship. This is because, in our democracy, the citizens
are the rulers, with the office holders as temporary instruments of their rule.
No one can graduate from our high schools without knowledge of the history of
our country and the western civilization of which it is a part; the skill necessary
to analyze historical and contemporary issues: and understanding of the values
and ethics on which our country was built.
In this context, students should learn the virtues - courage, prudence, moderation,
and justice - and the civic virtue of service to and participation in ones community.
Third, as productive individuals, students should be skilled in writing, speaking,
and computation, in reading, listening, and analysis. Specific skills are also
to be taught for employability, but the basic skills should be emphasized as giving
students the ability to adjust to changing markets and the obsolescence of specific
jobs.
In summary, the goal of the education program is to help all students develop
to their fullest potential academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.
The future of this country rests in the quality of the education its youth receives.
To meet the needs of all students, there should be programs to encourage students
to remain in school. These should be designed to increase learning, not to lower
standards. They should help the individual student grow fully in as many areas
as possible, to build a feeling of self-worth and self-confidence, and to develop
a desire for knowledge that will make learning a lifelong activity and better
prepare the student for the future.
Finally, our philosophy regarding decision making: while the Administrative Staff
must ultimately make and be responsible for decisions, this should be done with
maximum input from teaching staff, group living staff, support staff, parents,
and students. The same provision for input applies to decisions appropriately
made by the administrative staff. This assures greater wisdom in the making of
decisions, and great success in their implementation.
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