O U R   P H I L O S O P H Y

Higher Ground's philosophy is to inspire students to learn and share knowledge. This goal can be seen with our approach to teaching in a comfortable atmosphere and encouraging diversity by allowing tutors and students to express themselves through both personal style and interests.

"The most striking thing about Higher Ground is the atmosphere. I have been working here for about six months now and I still have not completely acclimated myself to the climate shift that occurs every time I ascend the stairs in the entryway. A change in barometric pressure? A shift in humidity? It's hard to pinpoint; however, its effects are far from subtle. People are conversing; minds are moving… everyone engaged in teaching and learning. Through these interactions, people are built up, and Higher Ground as an entity in and of itself grows larger and more encompassing. We are all feeding, with our speaking and listening, our art and thought, a collective energy that permeates this space almost to the point of saturation. The air is infectious and full… reminiscent of some kind of fountain of youth, only not that naïve. I get to come here regularly and hang out. That's my favorite thing about my experience here: that it exists."
                                                                                                  - Mike Incze (Former Instructor)

Our philosophy also includes:

• The needs of the student drive the design of the curriculum.
• We educate the whole student. We embrace progression, evolution, and creation as necessary elements of academic and personal growth.
• We inspire the activation of curiosity--the formation of opinions, observations, and unique voices.
• Our creative tutors work as mentors to create a motivating and energetic learning environment that encourages students to discover and appreciate the connections between academics and "real life."