Category: HeightsCast

In this week’s episode Mr. Michael Moynihan discusses an exercise that allows teachers to isolate the relativistic variable in the moral minds of their students. What is relativism? What is the exercise? And why does any of this matter to those of us just trying to live the good life–however you define that? Mr. Moynihan’s article available here. Check out Mr. Moynihan’s follow-up webinar below: Michael recommended several resources during the webinar.  In particular, C.S. Lewis’ The Abolition of Man, in addition to the same principles presented in fictional form through…

Lower School Head, Colin Gleason, offers some high level thoughts and general considerations for homeschooling families during this, a year that has seen an unprecedented number of new homeschooling families. In particular, Mr. Gleason bears in mind the 2nd graders who are soon to be Heights-bound. What are systems that can prepare our boys for the adventures of the Heights Lower School? Listen in! A huge number of parents are home schooling for the year. We offer some thoughts here for parents finding themselves in the teachers’ seat. Generally: Know…

Why all the tree climbing, virtue talk, and fancy old books? It’s all part of our grand conspiracy to form wise, courageous, risk-takers. Hear our Headmaster, Mr. Alvaro de Vicente, discuss how The Heights goes about teaching boys to manage risk in a virtuous, intelligent manner. The process isn’t mud-free, and we can guarantee mistakes–your sons’ and our own. But the end result, with prayers and God’s grace, is a “man fully alive,” who understands that living isn’t the sole purpose of life.

Dr. Jason Baxter, Academic Dean at Wyoming Catholic College and author of The Beginners Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy offers his thoughts on how to introduce students to the Divine Comedy.  By forcing the Divine Comedy (and many other “Great Works”) on our boys without the proper groundwork, we risk cheating them of a profound encounter.  But there is value, and this is an introduction worth making.  How do we go about it?  Listen in and follow our guide.

Today we feature an interview with Tom Longano, author of two recently published books: The Blue Book of Stories and The Red Book of Stories. A Heights graduate and former lower school teacher, Tom offers his thoughts on children’s literature, reading for boys, and the importance of not just reading books aloud, but actually performing them aloud as well.

Our lives have been altered in ways few of us thought possible before March 2020. As a school, we wouldn’t presume to broadcast our opinions on matters of public policy or medical science. We can, however, at this point speak to the impact of closure and other preventative measures on our boys. No preventative comes without cost, and for a young man in the formative years of his life, these days have ceased being a brief episode, taking on an air of semi-permanence. How is this affecting our sons? Alvaro de…

Heights Headmaster, Alvaro de Vicente, shares his thoughts on friendship. We are told that friendship is one of the highest goods of human existence. Yet, despite our purported ability to find “friends” at the click of a button, building an authentic friendship takes time and effort, especially for our boys. Hear Mr. de Vicente discuss ways that parents can coach, manage, and accompany their sons through the selection or friends, and the building up of friendships that will last a lifetime.  In particular our Headmaster emphasizes the importance of boredom,…

Middle School Head, Andy Reed, offers helpful, practical, guidance for parents seeking to finish the academic year well under these historically challenging days. Mr. Reed offers advice derived from countless conversations with Heights parents striving to form “men fully alive” during a time more insular than days gone by, and days to come.

As parents, one of our primary duties is to help our children discover that gratitude is a path to lasting happiness.  But where is the trailhead and how do we go about getting our boys on the right track, especially in a busy age of myriad privileges that are now assumed to be entitlements?  In such an age, how can we foster a culture of appreciation and gratitude in our homes?

Mr. de Vicente offers his advice to students during these Corona months. Establishing and executing an ordered plan of life is critical for students wishing to grow intellectually, physically, morally, and spiritually. In this interview, our headmaster shares his advice for young men seeking to win in all aspects during this era of distance learning.