The Scholé Way

The ancient Greek word scholé means leisurely learning or set-apart, undistracted time to study the things most worthwhile, often with one’s friends. Ironically, scholé is also the root word for our English word “school.” While much of modern education has become increasingly frenetic and stressful, the tradition of scholé offers another way—the scholé way, which is a harmony of active and restful learning, of academic work and academic leisure. The classical tradition of education is oriented toward the full formation of a human soul rather than merely practical training for a job. This time-honored understanding of education provides space and occasion for wonder, contemplation, and conversation. Instead of merely covering material, it privileges pondering, savoring, lingering, and relishing as genuine student activity. In this book, Dr. Perrin describes the tradition of restful learning, or scholé, and offers practical suggestions for how to restore it in our schools and homeschools.