Adam Taylor on Boys' Education and the 'Medieval Model'

"Are you a classical school?" It's a question many parents and educators will have to answer at some point. St. Martin's Academy in Fort Scott, Kansas, likes to say they're not exactly classical—more like medieval. At St. Martin's, a boys' boarding school and working farm for grades 9-12, Adam Taylor and a team of educators seek to nurture authentic masculinity, awaken wonder, and heal the imagination. This week on HeightsCast, Mr. Taylor talks with us about the vision of St. Martin's, and gives us ideas we can take into our own understanding of boys' education. Chapters: 3:35 The medieval model 7:12 The path to "Dean of Magistri" 14:38 Nurturing authentic masculinity 19:14 Healing the imagination 25:00 Boys need reality and heroes 33:49 Soulcraft: the role of work at St. Martin's 36:54 Forms of manly friendship 40:57 Time management for teachers 45:35 Recommended reading Links: St. Martin's Academy in Fort Scott, Kansas "The Necessity of Chivalry" by C. S. Lewis The Tuft of Flowers by Robert Frost John Senior and the Restoration of Realism by Fr. Francis Bethel Poetic Knowledge: The Recovery of Education by James S. Taylor Beauty for Truth's Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education by Stratford Caldecott Beauty in the Word: Rethinking the Foundations of Education by Stratford Caledcott Featured opportunities: Parents Conference: Fostering Our Sons' Faith at The Heights School (April 12, 2025) Teaching Essentials Workshop at The Heights School (June 16-20, 2025) Also on the Forum: Breathing Narnian Air: Loving Modernity as a Medievalist featuring Jason Baxter Shaping Your Son's Moral Imagination featuring Alvaro de Vicente On Moral Imagination, Part I featuring Alvaro de Vicente