Category: Article

Last night my wife Janet and I were chatting when she said something that made me jump up from my chair, snatch from its place a well-thumbed book, and start flipping through the pages. “Why is that?” she said, “…if it’s true. Why is the ‘faker’ the one with the broad theories and the ‘expert’ the one who hesitates except to answer narrow questions?” I knew the chapter, the author, I wanted; the white-bordered purple cover with the 15th-century illuminated manuscript detail, the smooth feel of the clean-cut seven hundred…

At The Heights, boys write their own poetry and perform famous poems from the past. Having taught Literature here for the past six years, I can confidently assert that poetry has a pride of place in our Literature curriculum. I give you my thoughts on the why and the how of teaching poetry. Our culture has no idea what poetry is anymore. We have watered the definition down to include everything from saccharine Hallmark cards to misogynistic and violent rap. Poetry is the exquisite expression of timeless truths, compelling stories, or…

Andy Reed, head of The Heights Middle School, gives his perspective on how to forge a young man’s academic habits — includes academic examination of conscience!

Some tips from a fifth grade teacher at The Heights School about how to help your sons get the best out of their summer vacation!

A colleague recently circulated a link to this article on Adam LaRoche, former Chicago White Sox second baseman, who, when asked by his manager to stop bringing his son to practice, quit the team–and $13 million.  We’ve had a great internal debate about Mr. LaRoche’s decision: on one hand, he quit something he loved to raise his son as he wished.  On the other, perhaps he could have been a better example by going to work and making the most of his talents?  We’ll let you know when we settle this one… likely not for…

As we came near Advent once again, I found myself preparing my students for this liturgical season. I told them that it’s not just “the time leading up to Christmas,” as if it were a mere counting down the days until the Day. The etymology of the word Advent is illustrative: ad means “to,” or “towards,” and venire means “to come.” Hence, Advent is about Someone who is to come to us – it is the season of preparation for the Coming of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Following my in-class…

Progress reports went out recently and, naturally, this leads to questions about how to improve poor or mediocre performance. Even students that are doing well should not rest on their laurels; the year is young and grades are not an end unto themselves. Homework provides an ideal focal point for parents seeking to improve their boys’ academic performance. Specific and measurable resolutions are possible for young men in all three categories: below average academically, average, and above. Our goal in this post is not to provide the goals necessarily, but…

“Collars buttoned, shirt-tails in, shoes tied before entering my classroom.  Understood?” “Yes, Mr. Moss.” “Please do not use pens for any notes taken, or assignments given in this class.  Pencils only.  Understood?” A brave soul raises his hand:  “Sir, Mr. Gleason has already banned pens from the Valley.”  (i.e., a charitable form of “Obviously, Sir.  This isn’t our first time around the block.”) I love the unity of mission here–it is so much easier to reinforce an already established rule than to introduce a new one into the system.  The Heights is a place…

As the summer comes to an end and the first day of school approaches, here are seven ways to finish strong, and get a great start to the school year!

“Pride”;  “I bleed [insert mascot and color]”; “I am [insert school or adjective]”; “I will”–and the list of t-shirt slogans we see around campus goes on. Of course, there’s nothing intrinsically evil about these slogans, but we should think on them. The not-so-subliminal messages are an important element of a multibillion-dollar clothing and marketing industry that is working, deliberately and with great sophistication, to shape (some might say, claim) your son’s self-identity. UA, Nike, and the rest of them want your son to identify primarily as… drum roll, please: “ATHLETE.”  For, if…