How Leadership Education Works
Discover the timeless principles and flexible framework that transforms families and ignites a lifelong love of learning.
The 3 Core Principles
Before we dive in:
There are 7 Key of Great teaching that make up the heart of Leadership Education.
Over time, you'll learn and begin to master all 7 through our books, mentoring, and resources.
But we recommend starting with these 3 Keys — the foundation that will transform your family right away:
Classics, Not Textbooks
Great works inspire greatness. Instead of worksheets and busywork, we study
stories and ideas that shape character,
spark imagination, and last for a lifetime.
Mentors, Not Professors
Real growth comes from guidance and
example, not just lectures. Parents
and mentors walk alongside learners,
modeling curiosity and wisdom.
Inspire, Not Require
We don't force learning through pressure
or coercion. Instead, we live a love of
learning and inspire our children to join us.
The Phases of Learning
Every child learns differently, but they also pass through universal phases of growth.
Leadership Education helps you meet them where they are:
Core Phase
Ages 0-8
Focus: good habits, family relationships, identity, and purposeful play.
Key practice: build a strong foundation of character and family culture.
Love of Learning Phase
Ages 8-13
Focus: joy in discovery, curiosity, and broad exploration.
Key practice: read together, explore interests, and keep learning fun.
Scholar Phase
Ages 13-18
Focus: breadth, classics, mentors, and habits of scholarship.
Key practice: structured study with freedom, great books, and mentor guidance.
Depth Phase
Ages 18-24
Focus: influence, mission, and expertise.
Key practice: go deeper, mentor others, and keep growing. This is where parents thrive too.
Mission Phase
Adulthood
Focus: aligning your strengths, values, and passions
into a clear direction for your life and family.
Key practice: choose a meaningful project, work with a mentor,
and build the habits that support your purpose.
Impact Phase
Grandparenting
Focus: stepping into leadership roles that elevate people, strengthen communities,
and advance truth and freedom.
Key practice: build teams, mentor rising leaders, and engage
in meaningful work that outlives you.
A Living Framework
Leadership Education isn't a rigid curriculum.
It's a flexible, living framework:
Adapt
Families move through different seasons, challenges, and capacities, and this model helps you properly adapt.
The principles stay steady while your routines and practices shift as needed.
Adjust
Children grow at different paces, and Leadership Education honors that.
You can refine your approach as each child moves through phases and develops new abilities.
Focus
Instead of getting lost in checklists, you stay centered on what matters most:
strong relationships, personal mission, and a joyful love of learning.
The Beauty of Flexible Personalization
In most traditional systems, children are expected to fit into a predetermined mold. Leadership Education flips that.
We begin with the child — their gifts, their timing, their curiosity.
Some learners are ready to dive deep early. Others flourish slowly and steadily. Some absorb ideas through stories; others through movement, creativity, or hands-on work.
Leadership Education gives you a path that adapts to your child, without losing the structure and principles that make learning powerful.
Reflection Exercise
Think of a time when you truly loved learning — when a book, a project, or a mentor lit you up inside.
That’s the heart of Leadership Education.
Our mission is to help you bring that spark into your family — and keep it alive for a lifetime.
Ready to Begin?
Start small, grow steady, and discover the joy of Leadership Education.
Common Questions About How It Works
How do I know what phase my child is in?
Phases aren’t about age as much as readiness. Look at their behavior and motivation: are they still playful and curious? Are they craving depth and challenge? The phases are a guide, not a box. The age range given are a rule of thumb, if you're not sure, start with the age framework.
0-8 Core Phase
8-13 Love of Learning
13-18 Scholar Phase
18-24 Depth Phase
25+ Mission Phase
What if my child resists reading or learning?
That’s normal. The principle is Inspire, Not Require. Instead of pushing, model curiosity yourself — read aloud, share your excitement, and let the spark catch naturally. When it does, it is off to the races! The student will own their own education, they will have enthusiasm, and they will have a strong drive to do the hard work.
Can I start this if my kids are already in middle or high school?
Absolutely. Leadership Education meets families where they are. These principles can be applied in public school, private school, or homeschool. If they are transitioning from public school, teens can jump into the Scholar Phase with classics and mentoring right away, while younger siblings can begin in Love of Learning. It’s never too late to start.
Do I need to follow the phases perfectly?
Not at all. The phases are a roadmap, not a rigid plan. Every child and family is different. Your role is to adapt the principles to fit your life and keep becoming the expert on your family.
Q5: Is this just for homeschoolers?
No. While many homeschoolers use Leadership Education, the principles work in any family culture. Whether you homeschool, do private school, or participate in public school, you can build a Leadership Education at home. Ultimately, Leadership Education is about parents being involved in the education of their children.