Michael Walls is the father of a Dominion senior who recently qualified as a National Merit Semifinalist. His son, Matthew, was also one of approximately 4% of applicants accepted by Yale University to enroll in a summer program in astrophysics. Here, he shares some of the reasons he and his wife sought a classical/liberal arts education for their math/science-oriented son.
When it was time for our children to attend high school, we wanted a classical/liberal arts education. So, when we found Dominion, it was a great fit for our priorities—even for our son with a strong inclination toward math and science.
It is true that Dominion does not have the breadth of classes that a STEM-focused school may offer. However, we know that the best STEM students are inquisitive, analytical, problem solvers, and deep thinkers. These are qualities that a classical education at Dominion nurtures in students. If you go back in history, you will find that all the greatest inventors were classically educated; in modern times, many Nobel Laureates in science have been classically educated and are talented in music and poetry. They know how to ask good questions and dissect big ideas. In contrast, if you ask a STEM high school student what they have been reading lately, the answer is often surprisingly hollow. We wanted Matthew to enjoy a more robust education.
I have also seen classically educated STEM professionals achieve top management positions far more easily than those who received a narrower STEM-focused education because their training enabled them to develop good communication skills rather than focusing on the development of merely technical math and science skills.
Once we were at Dominion, we found the science and math high school teachers to be first-rate. They also always give generously of their time to answer specific questions about classwork. They are happy to help with preparation for college admissions testing or to discuss ideas or material not covered in class.
And, while our kids may not be able to pursue the same breadth of math/science classes as they might at a STEM school, Dominion offers classes through AP Calculus and College Physics. These are both advanced math/science courses. The math/science bases are more than sufficiently covered, and what our son has gained in other areas has made for a more complete education than he would have received elsewhere. In addition, because Dominion’s classes are as rigorous or more rigorous than many AP classes, Matthew also took and scored exceptionally on several AP tests for which he did not take AP coursework (including in Physics).
As many parents do, we were also concerned about choosing a high school where Matthew would have better chances for college admissions. Already aware of what it takes to achieve admission to selective universities, we knew Dominion could provide better odds for admission at those schools because Dominion is a small school. For example, because he is in a small class, Matthew was the only National Merit Scholar this year. There were 30-plus National Merit Scholars at a nearby Fairfax County high school. Since competitive colleges generally only accept a limited number of students from each high school, those who fall outside the top ten in larger high schools (even if they are otherwise more qualified than another student at a smaller high school) usually will not have the same success rate at elite universities. Further, Caren Sturgill has been exceptional as a college guidance counselor because she knows our son well. We have found that her college planning advice is highly customized, personal, and relevant.
As you can tell, I am a big fan of Dominion. Each parent needs to find a good fit for his or her child, and that comes down to what you prioritize and value. As parents (myself included), we often focus on the wrong things: whether we are getting an ROI on our child's education or whether our children will get into a certain college or succeed in the working world. At the end of the day, we should be focused on how an education will provide our children with a foundation to become well-rounded and contributing members of society. Dominion has helped my son grow and develop interests in many subjects—even to the point that he is hoping to settle on a college or university that is as strong in the liberal arts as it is in STEM. We believe he has a leg up on living a full and enriching life because of his well-rounded education at Dominion. Even for an aspiring astrophysicist, we would make the same high school decision every time.