Jason Caros on American Classical Education

About Our Guest

Jason Caros serves as the headmaster at Founders Classical Academy. He graduated from Florida State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts with concentrations in History and Religion. He also holds a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

Mr. Caros was a high school history teacher and a district-level curriculum administrator for more than fifteen years. In 2012, he was selected by Hillsdale College's Barney Charter School Initiative and Responsive Education Solutions to serve as the first headmaster of Founders Classical Academy, a K-12 grade classical charter school in Lewisville, TX. Mr. Caros attributes the growth and success of the school to the efforts of an excellent faculty and staff, supportive parents, dedicated students, and the work of its parent organization, Responsive Ed. In addition to his headmaster duties, Mr. Caros loves to teach his high school Western Civilization I class. Mr. Caros lives in Flower Mound with his wife and children; his daughter is a Founders alumna, and his son attends Founders as a rising junior.

Show Notes
In this episode, Adrienne and Trae meet with headmaster Jason Caros to discuss the American Classical Charter School model. Founded initially as a Barney Charter School Initiative in American Classical Education, Founders Classical Academy in Lewisville, Texas, is an example of a thriving charter school. They are part of the Responsive Education Solutions (RES) charter schools community with a mission to provide education options that promote a free society with moral and academic excellence.

Mr. Caros shares stories about how a love of learning and reading paired with patriotism bring his community together. Mr. Caros describes how commencements, holiday programs, and events focused on civic virtue give shape and meaning to the life of his school.

Furthermore, Mr. Caros explores the qualities of a good teacher pertaining to the classical categories of Logos, Pathos, and Ethos. Mr. Caros explains how the stability of his school rests on consistency in the faculty and maintaining ongoing alumni relationships.

Some questions in this episode include:
What are the qualities of a good headmaster?
How do you foster deep conversations in pursuit of the highest good in your particular context?
What is at the heart of American Classical Education?
How do you retain teachers?
How do you support your faculty?

Resources and Books & Mentioned In This Episode

Dante’s Inferno by Dante Alighieri
Paradise Lost by John Milton
The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri
Shakespearean Plays by William Shakespeare
The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
Republic by Plato
Cicero by Plutarch
The Roots of the American Order by Russell Kirk
Video: Jordan Peterson interviews Yeonmi Park
The Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States of America
The Restoration of Christian Culture by John Senior
Norms and Nobility: A Treatise on Education by David V. Hicks

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Credits:
Sound Engineer: Andrew Helsel
Logo Art: Anastasiya CF
Music: Used with permission. cellists: SaraSant'' Ambrogio and Lexine Feng; pianist: Alyona Waldo

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