2026 Great Hearts National Symposium for Classical Education

The National Symposium theme is “Classical Education and the American Experiment: the Declaration of Independence at 250.” Shortly before his death in 1826, Thomas Jefferson explained that the Declaration’s purpose was “not to find out new principles… but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject… It was intended to be an expression of the American mind.” Great Hearts hopes to approach the semiquincentennial in the same spirit at its 2026 National Symposium. Their goal is to pursue together an understanding of the American mind, by examining how classical learning across the curriculum – from science and math to the fine arts, languages, history, philosophy, and literature – shapes the American experiment in republican government and prepares citizens and leaders for the future.