Liberal arts for all

We are a K-12 charter public school rooted in the liberal arts, dedicated to the pursuit of learning for its own sake in all subject areas. We believe all students deserve to be part of "the great conversation" that has endured for centuries, and that, with their participation, will last into the future.

Students dressed up for fourth-grade Medieval Curricular Day
Student and teacher discussing Project Week project

Community of Learners

We believe learning happens best in a community. Students at MacLaren learn to question, propose solutions, and deepen their understanding together in mutual respect. They come to see that they learn better with others than alone.

The Arts

At MacLaren, arts are not electives or specials. All students are immersed in creating beauty daily, be it in studio art, art history, Kodály choir, orchestra, or drama.

An orchestra student playing her cello.
Student Athletes

Athletics and Clubs

Highlanders bring their pursuit of excellence to the court and field.

Our clubs and sports programs offer venues to pursue wonder and excellence for its own sake, whether it’s learning the art of photography or how to shoot a basket.

MacLaren Library

The Great Conversation: Unwritten History
The Great Conversation: Unwritten History
Posted on 10/21/2024
The Great Conversation is a monthly post featuring contributions from MacLaren's faculty. This month, Mr. Humber shares thoughts about the need to study the lives of ordinary people in order to truly understand history. ...
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Orchestra Program: Creating Beauty All Together
Orchestra Program: Creating Beauty All Together
Posted on 10/08/2024
All students in MacLaren’s Upper School learn to play stringed instruments together in the school’s orchestra program. Starting as beginners in year one, they progress over seven years to performing masterworks by some of the finest composers the world has given us. One of the unique aspects of this program is that it is part of the school’s single-track curriculum, so truly all students experience making music together as part of the ...
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The Importance of Reading Original Texts
The Importance of Reading Original Texts
Posted on 9/23/2024
At MacLaren, a hallmark of our K-12 curriculum is an emphasis on reading original texts. By original texts, we mean original works of literature, not summaries, abridged versions, or versions that have been altered in order to be easier to read. We also mean primary source documents from history. Reading original texts is indeed the central focus of our Humane Letters courses, but students in every grade are introduced to original texts ...
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The Great Conversation: Roosevelt Montás's Argument for the Liberal Arts
The Great Conversation: Roosevelt Montás's Argument for the Liberal Arts
Posted on 9/09/2024
The Great Conversation is a monthly post featuring contributions from MacLaren's faculty. This month, Mrs. Rector shares thoughts about Roosevelt Montas's book "Rescuing Socrates" and his arguments supporting a liberal arts education. ...
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Culture of Error: A Springboard to Deeper Inquiry
Culture of Error: A Springboard to Deeper Inquiry
Posted on 5/15/2024
You will often hear the term “a culture of error”* used in MacLaren’s classrooms. Creating a culture of error might seem surprising and even counterintuitive given the emphasis we also place on excellence and growth. But these ideas are closely related. At MacLaren, we attempt to create a culture in which students feel that it is safe to struggle and see the growth and improved understanding that result. ...
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Single-Track Curriculum: A Rich Education for All
Single-Track Curriculum: A Rich Education for All
Posted on 3/19/2024
MacLaren’s K-12 curriculum is sequenced and single-track. This means that all students in the school take the same classes and are not tracked by ability. This also means that students do not take elective classes other than modern language courses in tenth through twelfth grade. There are many reasons for this approach. One is that it ensures basic ordered knowledge; a sequenced curriculum allows students to grow in sequenced skills i ...
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"One of the best decisions we have made for our children’s education is sending them to Thomas MacLaren School. The curriculum, though rigorous, is preparing our children, not only for college, but a lifetime of knowledge and character. This school offers every student a well-rounded liberal arts education, challenging each student to do their best and be their best." - Sharon T., parent

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