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In Praise of the Liberty Way

In Praise of the Liberty Way
In Praise of the Liberty Way
Mike Crane, School Psychologist

Ruminations of a School Psychologist

As I near the end of my first year as a full-time employee at LCS, I reflect on a career spanning 23 years practicing school psychology in the public-school system. My journey has taken me from Massachusetts, where I started, back to my alma mater state of Colorado, across the windy plains of Wyoming, and now, finally, back to the town where I reside. Over these years, public education has changed. Parents have changed. Students have changed. I have changed.
 
Before joining Liberty, I had heard of its scholastic achievements and impressive rankings. I was struck by the SAT averages, the graduation rates, and the notable colleges many alumni attended. I knew a former congressman was somehow involved, and I often heard Liberty praised on conservative AM talk radio. However, what I did not realize was the school’s strong emphasis on character development — and how this focus consistently produces such remarkable young citizens.
 
It all begins with Liberty’s overarching philosophy: “It is the right and responsibility of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.” When I first heard this statement, I was blown away. It was simple yet profound—even more remarkable given it was the guiding philosophy of a public school. Yes, it is the parents' responsibility to raise their children. Imagine if every parent embraced this fully. At Liberty, when parents enroll their children, they acknowledge and accept this responsibility. In doing so, they immediately begin instilling a sense of agency in their children—one of the foundational principles of sound counseling and psychology practice. Not only is this "common sense," it is good psychology.
 
I have long told my students and loved ones, "Every emotion and every action is a choice." You choose to let someone’s words anger you. You choose to retaliate during a recess soccer game. You choose not to study hard enough. You choose to procrastinate and not perform as you should. Again—simple, yet profound. And at Liberty, this mindset is introduced as early as kindergarten. I see it every time I walk into Plato or Aristotle. Kindergartners independently carry their backpacks down the hallway, hang up their belongings, pull out their homework folders, fill their water bottles, find their seats, and begin their bell work—all without adult intervention. If a student drops her or his crayons, teachers consistently insist she or he clean up the mess themselves. This independence builds confidence, self-assurance, and ultimately agency. And if the lesson doesn’t stick right away, students hear it reinforced daily during the principal's morning announcements.
 

Consistency

Consistency is paramount in raising healthy, successful children. All reputable parenting texts stress the importance of routines and consistency, and Liberty models this beautifully. Every time I move between Aristotle and Plato during the week, I am reminded of this. No matter which 5th-grade classroom I observe, I know the students on each side of town are receiving the exact same lesson. Consistency enhances learning, strengthens habits, and fosters predictability. Predictability, in turn, promotes safety and security—freeing the mind to focus, explore, and grow, rather than being distracted by uncertainty. When working with parents, especially those across separate households, I always emphasize the need for consistency, structure, and routine. Liberty excels in this regard.
 

Homework and Workload

Liberty’s curriculum and homework load are undeniably intense—some argue it’s too much. But homework every night doesn’t just reinforce academic skills; it also instills discipline. Learning to work hard at something that may not initially interest you is an essential life skill. Managing homework responsibilities after school forces students to develop time management, organization, and goal-directed persistence—core-executive functioning skills many young people today lack. Many experts (myself included) now believe strong executive functioning is among the most critical predictors of life success. Fortunately, these skills can be taught and honed. Liberty’s rigorous workload plays a vital role in developing these essential skills. Almost all educational disabilities manifest through weaknesses in executive functioning; if children are taught these behaviors early, the impact of a disability can be dramatically reduced. In short, Liberty’s intense workload is not merely academic—it is foundational to preparing students for life.

Dress Code

Amen! I have long believed a sensible, universal dress code is a key component of creating a safe, orderly school environment free of needless distractions. In the past, I often suggested it to administrators, only to be told, "We just don't want to spend precious time fighting with kids and parents over clothes." How dismayed I was at such shortsightedness. Imagine my relief when I learned about Liberty’s commonsense dress code.

A universal dress code is not only common sense—it's good psychology. It fosters discipline, professionalism, and a serious attitude toward education. It also levels visible socioeconomic differences, reducing opportunities for bullying and promoting a greater sense of equality and community spirit. A consistent dress code reduces distractions and allows students and teachers to focus on learning. Liberty’s commitment here is another example of its wisdom.

Technology (or the lack thereof)

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention Liberty’s minimal reliance upon technology in the classroom—including the exclusion of cell phones. Rather than leaning heavily on flashy YouTube videos or visually stimulating tech-driven lesson plans, teachers are empowered to deliver content through dynamic, direct instruction. Though this approach demands more effort from teachers, the payoff in learning and engagement is clear.

After observing hundreds—if not thousands—of classrooms over the years, I can confidently say that a well-organized, passionately delivered lesson by a "sage on the stage" far outperforms any doctored-up, tech-enhanced presentation.

An often-overlooked benefit of Liberty’s traditional teaching model is its positive impact on classroom management. Teachers frequently approach me asking for classroom management strategies, often hoping for a quick fix or magic wand. It's an awkward position for me, because, although I am not their evaluator, the truth is simple: The best classroom management tool is a well-prepared, engaging, passionately delivered lesson. Perfect these, and classroom disruptions diminish dramatically.

In sum, Liberty Common stands as a beacon of what public education can and should be. Its unwavering commitment to parental partnership, character development, consistency, academic rigor, personal responsibility, and common-sense practices like a dress code and limited classroom technology sets it apart. As a school psychologist with over two decades of experience across multiple states, I can say with full confidence Liberty's model is not just effective — it is essential. It promotes resilience, independence, and strong character in its students, equipping them not just for college but for life. I am grateful to be part of such an extraordinary community, and I look forward to continuing to support Liberty’s mission of raising thoughtful, capable young citizens.