Grade 6-12 international or domestic students studying in the U.S or overseas
One-on-one and small group (Max. 7 students/class)
Class Introduction
The John Locke Essay Competition Prep course has 8 different sections: philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, law and junior prize tailored to student’s needs. Each session will assist students with writing an essay in response to one question in the list provided by the Institute.
The John Locke Institute encourages young people to cultivate the characteristics of great writers: independent thought, depth of knowledge, clear reasoning, critical analysis, and persuasive style. Students are challenged to explore various questions beyond their school’s curriculum. Previous years, our students were successfully shortlisted, earned High Commendation awards, Third Prizes and Grand Prizes in John Locke Essay Competition.
This course is designed to help high school students hone their writing skills and prepare for the prestigious John Locke Essay Competition. The competition challenges students to think critically and write a compelling essay on a topic related to philosophy, politics, economics, history, psychology, theology, and law. Throughout this course, students will learn how to analyze and evaluate complex philosophical and political ideas, develop their research and writing skills, and craft a well-supported and well-written argumentative essay.
Our experienced teachers will guide students through brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising their essays. They will provide personalized feedback and suggestions to help students improve their writing and critical thinking skills. By the end of the course, students will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to produce a high-quality essay that meets the John Locke Essay Competition requirements. They will also be better equipped to engage with complex philosophical and political ideas and articulate their thoughts effectively in writing.
Outcome
- Receive personalized feedback and suggestions to improve their writing and critical thinking skills.
- Gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to produce a high-quality essay.
- Be better prepared for the John Locke Essay Competition and other similar academic pursuits.
- Understand and analyze complex ideas effectively.
Class Sessions
| Subject Categories | Prep Classes | Teacher Background | Class Schedule |
| Economics | Class A (group class + one-on-one class) | Previously an economics professor at Trinity College. His students received the Grand Prize, Shortlists, and Commendation Awards. | 2 group classes, 2 hours each class. In total, 4 hours of group classes; 8 one-to-one classes, 1 hour each class. In total, 8 hours of one-to-one classes; Total 12 hours of class. |
| Class B (group class + one-on-one class) | Previously an economics professor at Trinity College. His students received the Grand Prize, Shortlists, and Commendation Awards. | 2 group classes, 2 hours each class. In total, 4 hours of group classes; 8 one-to-one classes, 1 hour each class. In total, 8 hours of one-to-one classes; Total 12 hours of class. | |
| One-on-one classes | Economics professor with over 20 years of teaching experience, adept at guiding students in economic research and academic paper publication. Has numerous publications in international academic journals on economics and finance. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on student’s specific situation and needs. | |
| History | Class A (group class + one-on-one) | A former history professor at the University of Virginia and a distinguished scholar in historical research. His students have achieved Third Prizes and High Commendation Awards in the John Locke competition. | 2 group classes, 2 hours each class. In total, 4 hours of group classes; 6 one-to-one classes, 1 hour each class. In total, 6 hours of one-to-one classes; Total 10 hours of class. |
| One-on-one classes | A former history professor at the University of Virginia and a distinguished scholar in historical research. His students have achieved Third Prizes and High Commendation Awards in the John Locke competition. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on student’s specific situation and needs. | |
| Junior Prize | Class A (group class + one-on-one) | Currently an AP English Literature teacher at a public high school, with several students achieving Commendation, Distinction, and Merit awards in the John Locke Essay competition. | 4 group classes, 1.5 hours each class. In total, 6 hours of group classes; 4 one-to-one classes, 1 hour each class. In total, 4 hours of one-to-one classes; Total 10 hours of class. |
| Group B class (group class + one-on-one) | Currently an AP English Literature teacher at a public high school, with several students achieving Commendation, Distinction, and Merit awards in the John Locke Essay competition. | 4 group classes, 1.5 hours each class. In total, 6 hours of group classes; 4 one-to-one classes, 1 hour each class. In total, 4 hours of one-to-one classes; Total 10 hours of class. | |
| One-on-one classes | Top 30 Boarding High School Teacher. Award-winning Coach where students have won multiple Highly Commended Awards and other outstanding awards in the John Locke Essay competition. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on student’s specific situation and needs. | |
| One-on-one classes | Award-winning writing competition instructor. Prior Head of English Department at a top 5 private K-12 school in Massachusetts. She has coached many students to achieve high commendations and other outstanding awards in the John Locke Essay competition. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on student’s specific situation and needs. | |
| Politics | One-on-one classes | Political Research Scholar and former professor at the University of Virginia. His students have achieved Third Prizes and High Commendation Awards in the John Locke Essay competition. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on student’s specific situation and needs. |
| Law | One-on-one classes | Scholastic National Silver Medal Instructor. Multiple Competition Award-Winning Coach. University Writing Instructor. Her students were in the Short List for Law category and received High Commendation Awards. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. |
| Psychology | One-on-one classes | A former Psychology and Neuroscience professor with nearly 30 years of experience, she has taught at a prestigious U.S. private university and published extensively in top journals. Now a research mentor for high school students, she supports academic competitions like John Locke and IPsyO, drawing on her deep expertise and leadership in the field. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. |
| Theology | One-on-one classes | A seasoned philosophy professor with nearly 20 years of experience, he holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and specializes in AI ethics and American Pragmatism, holding a PhD in Philosophy. He has led research at Stanford’s AI Lab, published in top journals, and guided students in academic writing competitions like John Locke. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. |
| One-on-one classes | A veteran philosophy teacher at St. Paul’s School with over 15 years of experience, he specializes in Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Environmental Philosophy. A published author and former Chair of the APA High School Philosophy Committee, he holds a PhD from Boston University and has received multiple teaching awards. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. | |
| Philosophy | One-on-one classes | A seasoned philosophy professor with nearly 20 years of experience, he holds a Ph.D. in philosophy and specializes in AI ethics and American Pragmatism, holding a PhD in Philosophy. He has led research at Stanford’s AI Lab, published in top journals, and guided students in academic writing competitions like John Locke. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. |
| One-on-one classes | A veteran philosophy teacher at St. Paul’s School with over 15 years of experience, he specializes in Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Environmental Philosophy. A published author and former Chair of the APA High School Philosophy Committee, he holds a PhD from Boston University and has received multiple teaching awards. | At least 10 hours of class, with the option to add more hours depending on the student’s specific situation and needs. |
Feedback
Students and their parents will receive brief feedback after each class regarding the student’s general participation in class. Students will also receive feedback on graded assignments via email.
Need to prepare?
To best prepare for this program, we recommend reading:
