Classical Virtues in the Bronx? The Vertex Academy Model

MCC Podcast

In this episode of the MCC Learning Institute podcast, Dr. Richard Fodor, Head of Research, and Dr. János Setényi, Director of the Institute sit down with Ian Rowe — American education entrepreneur, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies in the Bronx.

Together, we explore the foundations of Ian’s philosophy of education, shaped by his parents’ immigrant journey and his belief in the American Dream as a source of agency for young people. We discuss the mission of Vertex Academies and its focus on the classical virtues of Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom, as well as the broader role of charter schools in the U.S. education system.

The conversation also touches on major debates in history education, from the 1619 Project to Howard Zinn, and asks how teachers can balance an honest reckoning with injustice while still helping students see America as a country of opportunity. Finally, Ian reflects on his early work with Teach For America and what lessons it offers for education today.

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation about classical ideas of education, the challenges of history teaching, and the future of opportunity in America’s schools.

Ian Rowe - cofounder of Vertex Partnership Academies

Dr. Richard Fodor - Head of Research

Dr. János Setényi - Director of the Institute

Az MCC Podcast adásaiban érdekes emberekkel izgalmas témákról beszélgetünk. Feldolgozzuk a közélet, a gazdaság, a társadalom fontosabb aktuális történéseit, de olyan kérdéseket is napirendre veszünk, mint például a művészet, a család vagy a vallás. Vendégeink között oktatóink, kutatóink, vendégelőadóink kapnak helyet. Mindenkinek kellemes időtöltést és szellemi feltöltődést kívánunk.