We are awash in ideas and arguments that create the illusion of logic. But there is a wide gulf between something that feels like it makes sense and something that actually makes sense.

It’s easy to mistake something that feels right for something that truly holds up under scrutiny. That’s why learning to tell the difference between an argument that is correct and an argument that merely sounds convincing is one of the most important skills we can teach. Our reasoning is only as strong as the assumptions it’s built on, and many persuasive tools — from clever phrasing to emotional appeals — can make shaky ideas seem solid. If we want our kids (and ourselves) to navigate life with clarity and confidence, we need to teach them how to think critically, question thoughtfully, and examine the reasoning behind the claims they encounter.

Philosophy is uniquely suited to this task. It doesn’t just teach us what to think — it teaches us how to think. It helps us challenge false assumptions, explore big questions, and reflect on our own beliefs. Teenagers, in particular, are naturally curious and ready to wrestle with life’s deeper questions. Yet we often wait until college to introduce philosophy, missing a golden opportunity to nurture young minds when they’re most open to exploration.

Why the delay? There are a few common barriers: many teachers don’t feel equipped to teach it, the material can be dense, and philosophical inquiry often brushes up against religious beliefs, making it feel taboo in certain settings. But these challenges shouldn’t stop us. Philosophy can be taught as a story — the unfolding history of human thought — and students don’t need to wade through ancient texts to grasp the ideas. What they do need is a classroom environment that welcomes curiosity, supports rational thinking, and encourages questions without fear or bias. That’s the kind of space I’m committed to creating.

Philosophy invites questions that other subjects rarely touch:

• What does it mean to live a good life?

• Do my beliefs align with my values?

• How do we decide what’s true?

• What makes something make sense?

These questions matter. They shape how we see ourselves and the world.

Consider this: A young child starts to question the magic of Santa Claus. She lays out her reasoning, and her parents, smiling, affirm her insight. She feels proud, and the holiday remains joyful. Now imagine the same child, a year older, begins to question the magic of Jesus. She uses the same thoughtful approach — but this time, the response she gets might be very different. That moment can shape her entire relationship with truth, inquiry, and belief. Will her curiosity be celebrated, or shut down? Will her family embrace reason, or retreat into feigned certainty?

Choosing reason isn’t always easy. It asks us to revisit our beliefs, to stay open, and to do the hard work of thinking clearly. But it’s worth it. A life guided by reason is a life of growth, integrity, and understanding. My goal is to help young people start that journey early — before their worldview hardens, and before they’re told that asking hard questions is off-limits.

I believe philosophy is missing from public education because it challenges deeply held beliefs — especially religious ones. From a policy standpoint, it’s easy to see why some would rather avoid that tension. But I believe the opposite: that the path to peace, stability, and a better future lies in honest, open inquiry and objective reasoning.

The Trouble with Faith

At the heart of this school is a simple acknowledgment: most religious worldviews don’t hold up to rational scrutiny. That doesn’t mean we’re here to attack faith or mock belief. We’re not waving signs or picking fights. We’re simply creating a space for those who’ve already begun asking hard questions — and want to keep going.

Religion has offered comfort, community, and purpose to many. But it has also introduced ideas about the world that don’t align with evidence or reason. When faith is taught as the highest virtue — especially faith without reason — it can lead to habits of thought that accept contradiction and celebrate cognitive dissonance. That mindset doesn’t just stay in the spiritual realm. It spills into how we approach politics, science, and society. And when large groups of people are willing to accept ideas without evidence, the consequences can be profound.

We believe that helping students think clearly, question bravely, and reason honestly is one of the most powerful gifts we can offer. It’s not about tearing down — it’s about building up: stronger minds, deeper understanding, and a more thoughtful world.