Lessons from Privilege: The American Prep School Tradition

by Arthur G. Powell

Around 10,000 tax dollars will put a child through many public schools for a year. About 10,000 private dollars will put him through prep school. Why, then, is one system troubled and the other thriving, one vilified and the other celebrated? In this book, a renowned historian of education searches out the lessons that private schooling might offer public education as cries for school reform grow louder.

Lessons from Privilege explores a tradition shaped by experience and common sense, and guided by principles that encourage community, personal relationships, and high academic standards. These "basic" values make a profound difference in a time when popular culture, which mocks intellectual curiosity and celebrates mental passivity, competes so successfully for students' attention.

Arthur Powell uses the experience of private education to put the whole schooling enterprise in fresh perspective. He shows how the sense of schools as special communities can help instill passion and commitment in teachers, administrators, and students alike--and how passion and commitment are absolutely necessary for educational success. The power of economic resources, invested fully in schools, also becomes pointedly clear here, as does the value of incentives for teachers and students.

Though the concerns this book brings into focus--for decent character and academic literacy--may never be trendy or easily applied, Lessons from Privilege presents sensible, powerful, and profitable ideas for enhancing the humanity and dignity of education in America.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1997

Reviews

[Patrick Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite dated, but I don't know if there's anything equivalent that's been published since.

[Eliezer Sneiderman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1996 the book is a bit dated today. Powell's interest in examining the Prep School was really to get insights into Education in general. He was hoping that there would be lessons learned in the Prep School that could be ported to the general public.

Much of what takes place in a Prep School is unique to that environment. The level of personal attention and personalization that one receives in a Prep School is unattainable outside of this environment. Class size, load, and advisement all work together to create an academically motivated community.

Imagine a school where everyone knew your name? Today's independent schools do that.

One of the interesting side facts that I saw in this book was Powell's theory as to why schools seek to attract Jewish students. "Without a significant population of Jews, it is difficult to create a community that is truly academically interested." It appears that there is something left over from the value, "Torah L'shmah" - Learning for its own sake - that shapes the Jewish approach to education. It will be interesting to see, as the Jewish community assimilates, if those values can be supported.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this about five years ago but I'm starting it again. There are some great insights here for independent school educators.

Finished my second reading... I'm glad I spent the time to read it again. It has more meaning for me now than it did originally because I can put the whole as well as it's parts all in better context. Independent school educators should read this.

[Tori · Rating 1 out of 5]

So boring. I had to read it for class and absorbed almost nothing from reading this because it is so boring. That's all I can say. Skipped the middle about SATs and didn't get past page 200, which was far too many pages.