Written by Rowenna Thorson
St. John's is not the perfect school for every student in America. It is an incredibly specific education; it calls for a certain type of mind to follow the program to completion, and even more importantly, the desire and drive to do so is essential. For the students who spend four years grappling with the serious, earth-shattering ideas that make up the St. John's Program, it is the most enjoyable, valuable, and crucial experience of their lives. It is not only rewarding throughout the process, though. It leaves students feeling prepared for whatever life has in store. The academic rigor combined with the sense of community, and the huge variety of experiences that are available instills a sense of confidence and self-worth in students.
Hour after hour, day after day, year upon year is spent exercising the activity of <em>λογος</em> - speaking, writing, explaining, discussing, communicating. So many ideas and avenues are explored. Students are faced with challenges, both academically, socially, intellectually, and philosophically. At St. John's, everyone is involved in the same pursuits academically. They share classes, discussions, mealtimes, and close quarters. The same students party together, read together, and talk together. Every student can relate to every one of his or her classmates, simply due to their shared experiences. This closeness is such a strength, and while it can be difficult—you might want to strangle that guy in your core group if he brings up Plotinus one more time—it ultimately enhances the overall experience exponentially.