Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
After returning to the United States from his service in the Vietnam War, Glenn Kimber was concerned at the anti-American sentiment being expressed by many Americans. Research indicated that it stemmed from a lack of education about basic Constitutional principles. This put Glenn on a path to restore Americans' faith in the Constitution.
Glenn began developing a school curriculum that combined Constitutional principles with spiritual and secular learning. This became the basis for the Ben Franklin Academy private schools that flourished throughout the 1990s. Today these private schools are called the Glen J. Kimber Academy.
Kimber Academy is a private school that combines principles of good government and the Constitution with spiritual and secular learning. Each of the four core subjects — math, science, history and language arts — incorporate methods for students to learn to love learning and increase their relationship with God. Similar to the little red school houses of the past, students are divided into only three age groups: Junior A of 5- to 8-year-olds; Junior B of 9- to 11-year-olds; and Senior of 12-year-olds to adults. Parents are encouraged to attend classes to support and learn right along with their students.
Joe Abbott, national director for Kimber Academies and administrator of the Lehi school, says each subject is based around a value designed to help students develop their talents. Classrooms are held Tuesdays through Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and no homework is assigned. The philosophy is that when students love to learn they will eagerly and willingly create their own quest for learning. In order to graduate, students must write from memory 4,000 facts of history, covering 40 significant historical dates. They must also score 62 percent or above in 22 subjects on the GED Diagnostic exam.
Joe said the school's average graduation age is 15.5. The Kimber Academy method and philosophy have been so popular that there are schools in Lehi and Midvale, Utah; in Boise Idaho; and in Moses Lake Wash., with several pending in other states.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
