About Ashbrook
Emphasis on Critical Thinking
At Ashbrook School we teach children HOW to think
One of Ashbrook’s most distinctive features is our emphasis on critical thinking. In the words of our Founder, David Gore, we don’t teach students what to think, we teach them how to think: analytically, creatively, and (maybe most importantly) independently.
From the earliest grades, students are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and evaluate evidence. Whether they’re interpreting a historical document, solving a complex math problem, or analyzing a literary theme, Ashbrook students are taught to go beyond offering or accepting surface-level answers.
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Socratic discussions, debates, written reflections, and cross-disciplinary projects are all part of the toolkit students use to more fully interrogate the topics they are studying. We place high value on reasoning, logic, and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively. Students learn how to structure an argument, weigh competing perspectives, and revise their views in light of new evidence.
This emphasis on thinking for oneself creates learners who are both intellectually gritty and intellectually humble. They don’t settle for easy answers, and when they learn something, they are able to understand how they learned it, and how they learn best, in general. Combined with our character education program and their own unique set of family values, the ability to think critically allows our students to evaluate the thoughts of others and determine their own opinions (and to muster the support for those opinions!).
In a world where information is everywhere and AI is pervasive, room left in civil discourse for the wise, patient, and logical argument will become increasingly important. It is in this environment that Ashbrook students learn the importance of being thoughtful decision-makers and lifelong learners.