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Category: Commentary

Unlocking Students’ Potential: How Ascend Trains Young Adults to Thrive

Jonathan Brush

In a world where traditional college is often seen as the default next step after high school, an increasing number of students find themselves overwhelmed, directionless, and uncertain about their…Continue readingUnlocking Students’ Potential: How Ascend Trains Young Adults to Thrive

Reclaiming What Was Normal Yesterday: Choosing Timeless Values in a Culture That Forgot Them

Jonathan Brush

“You’re going to have to do things that were normal until yesterday—and that means being radically countercultural.” That’s the challenge I put forward in a recent episode of the Unbound…Continue readingReclaiming What Was Normal Yesterday: Choosing Timeless Values in a Culture That Forgot Them

What School Didn’t Teach You: The Real Problem with “Real Life” Readiness

Jonathan Brush

“I came out of high school knowing how to prove a triangle is a triangle… but I don’t know how to do my taxes.” That quote came up early in…Continue readingWhat School Didn’t Teach You: The Real Problem with “Real Life” Readiness

Struggle Well: Why Doing Hard Things May Be the Best Path After High School

Jonathan Brush

“It all comes down to the ability to actually do something that is difficult and learn from it.” That line kicked off a recent episode of the Unbound Podcast, and…Continue readingStruggle Well: Why Doing Hard Things May Be the Best Path After High School

Working with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Jonathan Brush

None of the common problems many educators talk about—like widespread AI cheating or student disengagement—match what we see at Ascend. Our students are different. We don’t have the kind of…Continue readingWorking with the 1% (Part 3): Doing Something Different Is Hard — But That’s Why It Matters

Working with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope

Jonathan Brush

In my last article, I talked about a university professor who shared a sobering view of what he sees in today’s college students—apathy, detachment, lack of basic responsibility, and an…Continue readingWorking with the 1% (Part 2): Rescuing Potential and Rebuilding Hope