Smart & Good High Schools - The Flippen Group

Work of excellence is transformational. Once a student sees that heor she is capable of excellence, that student is never quite the same.There is a new self-image, a new notion of possibility. After studentshave had a taste of excellence, they’re never quite satisfied with less.—RON BERGER, An Ethic of ExcellenceThe good-to-great companies placed greater weight on characterattributes than on specific educational background, practical skills,specialized knowledge, or work experience.—JIM COLLINS, Good to GreatThe aim of education is to guide young persons in the processthrough which they shape themselves as human persons—armed withknowledge, strength of judgment, and moral virtues—while at thesame time conveying to them the spiritual heritage of the nation andthe civilization in which they are involved.—JACQUES MARITAINIf we lived alone, we wouldn’t need the virtues of fairness and compassion.If children could raise themselves, we wouldn’t need thefamily virtues of commitment and fidelity. If wealth could simply befound, we wouldn’t need the virtues of initiative and industry to createand sustain wealth. If our society were homogeneous, we wouldn’tneed the virtues of tolerance and respect for legitimate differences.If our political institutions were authoritarian and a few of us were fitto direct the lives of the rest of us, we wouldn’t need the virtues ofpersonal responsibility and active citizenry. The facts of our sociallife give us the broad contours of a conception of good character. Itis the character required for a democratic society.—WILLIAM GALSTON, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRSI am an idealist at heart. I agree with Gandhi’s philosophy: “You mustbe the change you want to see in the world.”—A HIGH SCHOOL BOYCompassion for others gives my life a sense of purpose. What are wehere for, if not to improve the overall condition of mankind?—A HIGH SCHOOL GIRLviiSmart & Good High Schools