The Curriculum

Liggett's approach centers on learning by doing, building upon experiences that create additional learning opportunities. Students learn how to learn, rather than what to memorize in order to pass tests. Our approach builds upon each year's work, with the goal of helping the child develop a deeper level of understanding of the material through experiences. This approach is more individual outcome based. We believe education doesn't need to be reformed rather it needs to be transformed. The key is to personalize education not standardized. To build achievement on discovering the individual talents of each child and to put the students in an environment where they want to learn and where they can naturally discover their true passions. The creative capacity is not just some talent inside of us, but the capacity to embrace the life outside of us and touch it, feel it, hear it, see it and listen to it. 

Joseph Healey, Ph.d

Joseph P. Healey has been the Head of School at University Liggett School since July 2007. He is a nationally known educator, speaker and author on the topic of independent school education. Dr. Healey has enjoyed a long career in secondary and college education. Prior positions were Head of School at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School in New York City from 1998 to 2007, Headmaster of the Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania from 1992 to 1998 and the Dean of the College of Hobart College in Geneva, New York from 1983 to 1992. 

Dr. Healey has been a trustee at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania; the Springside School for Girls in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; the Haverford School in Haverford, Pennsylvania; and also a Director of the Miller, Anderson, Sherrerd Funds.