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
Students

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.

Orchestra student playing violin
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

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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Kindergarten: Ready? Get set. Go!
Kindergarten: Ready? Get set. Go!
Posted on 3/05/2024
Each fall, a new wave of MacLaren’s youngest students arrive on campus, wide-eyed and excited for the adventures ahead. There is perhaps no other academic year in which students make such a big leap in physical, social-emotional, and language skills than in Kindergarten. There are many ways parents and guardians can help prepare their children for a smooth transition into this important year. ...
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The Great Conversation: Complicated Translations of The Odyssey
The Great Conversation: Complicated Translations of The Odyssey
Posted on 2/19/2024
The Great Conversation is a monthly post featuring contributions from MacLaren's faculty. This month, Mr. LaBadie shares thoughts about the complicated translations of The Odyssey. ...
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Kodály Method: Lower School Daily Music Training
Kodály Method: Lower School Daily Music Training
Posted on 1/29/2024
Lower School students at MacLaren receive six years of daily music training using the internationally-recognized Kodály method. Named for a Hungarian composer and teacher, Zoltán Kodály, the method is designed to help students fall in love with music, using the human voice as the primary instrument. ...
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Project Week: Learning for its Own Sake
Project Week: Learning for its Own Sake
Posted on 1/22/2024
As students brought in their Project Week Projects, one teacher overheard some juniors talking about their eleventh-grade research project on Thucydides’ The Peloponnesian War. One group had built a map of Greece which was so large that it required two sawhorses to hold it. They had researched the intricacies of a particular battle, and the physical map allowed them to demonstrate the troop movements. As this group was sharing with thei ...
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What is a Liberal Arts Education?
What is a Liberal Arts Education?
Posted on 1/15/2024
Reading our mission statement, one might observe that it says nothing whatsoever about getting into a great college, having a successful career, or getting high test scores. Of course we are happy for our students to have those experiences, but we believe that humans ultimately desire more—are meant for more—than these exterior goods. ...
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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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