A timeless approach to education that cultivates intelligent, happy, purposeful, morally grounded young people.

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Deborah Kenny's book stopped me in my tracks. Her humility and passion for excellence literally jump off the page. It is a beautiful book filled with wisdom and depth. I'm a better person for having read it.”

DAVID ADAMS

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE URBAN ASSEMBLY

At a time when parents and teachers are concerned about disengagement, declining curiosity, emotional disconnection, and digital distraction, The Well-Educated Child is a hopeful exposition of what education can and should be.

Drawing on decades of experience in deeper learning practices that are now central to the national conversation, Kenny presents education as soul craft. To understand what a great education should look and feel like, Kenny takes us inside classrooms and describes the experience of students who are intrinsically motivated, challenged, gracious to one another, and inspired to learn.

With wit, wisdom, and warmth, Kenny illuminates how to educate children, based on three concepts: quality thinking, ethical purpose, and a sense of agency. Her approach is both practical and deeply philosophical, drawing on classical literature and inviting students to think independently, seek knowledge, and discover who they are meant to become.

Line of children of a variety of ages wearing backpacks that hold flowers

“Deborah Kenny sounds a clarion call. Read this book and see how, with steely clarity and unwavering moral conviction, even the boldest educational aims can be achieved.”

SAM WINEBURG

MARGARET JACKS CHAIR OF EDUCATION, EMERITUS
STANFORD UNIVERSITY

About the Author

Dr. Deborah Kenny is the founder of Harlem Village Academies and the Deeper Learning Institute, and one of the most influential educators in the country. Deborah has been honored with the Columbia University Teachers College Distinguished Alumni Award, and named on Oprah’s Power List and Esquire’s Best and Brightest, and is regularly featured in national media. She holds a PhD in comparative international education from Columbia University and a BA in intellectual history from the University of Pennsylvania. The mother of three grown children, she lives in New York City.

Deborah can be followed on:

Learn more about the author
Deborah Kenny smiling in a library surrounded by colorful shelves of books.

  • “I have known Deborah for 20 years, I know her genuine care and love for our children. It shines through in every page of this book.”

    GEOFF CANADA

    FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
    HARLEM CHILDREN’S ZONE

  • "The Well-Educated Child will change the way you think not only about education but about life. "

    HUGH JACKMAN

    ARTIST AND PHILANTHROPIST

  • “Part memoir, part roadmap, in The Well-Educated Child, Deborah Kenny shares knowledge and insights that could change the way we educate students for the future.”

    ZARETTA HAMMOND, M.A.
    TEACHER EDUCATOR AND AUTHOR, CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING AND THE BRAIN AND REBUILDING STUDENTS’ LEARNING POWER

  • “Inspirational and practical. A remarkable story of schools that prepare students to lead full and rich lives.”

    RON BERGER

    CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICER, EMERITUS, EXPEDITIONARY LEARNING

  • “This moving and insightful book is truly a gift.”

    PEDRO A. NOGUERA, PHD

    EMERY STOOPS AND JOYCE KING STOOPS DEAN ROSSIER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
    UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

  • “I’m deeply moved by Deborah Kenny’s vision for what schools can and should be. A personal, practical, and compelling guide for anyone who wants to help children reach their full potential.”

    SHERYL SANDBERG

    FOUNDER, LEAN IN

  • “This beautifully crafted, engaging book would make a great book club choice for teachers, administrators and parents.”

    SHELLEY HARWAYNE

    FOUNDER, THE MANHATTAN NEW SCHOOL, SUPERINTENDENT EMERITUS NYC DISTRICT 2

  • “Utterly absorbing. The Well-Educated Child is essential reading for parents and educators.”

    HOWARD FULLER

    DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY, FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF MILWAUKEE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND AUTHOR OF NO STRUGGLE, NO PROGRESS: A WARRIOR’S LIFE FROM BLACK POWER TO EDUCATION REFORM

  • “Deborah Kenny is a once in a generation visionary. She believes that our children deserve the highest quality education and works to ensure they receive it.”

    MELBA WILSON

    FOUNDER MELBA’S RESTAURANTS

Contact

Inquire about teaching at HVA—the only charter schools in New York offering both Montessori as well as the International Baccalaureate.

Learn ABOUT TEACHING AT HVA

Earn teacher certification and a masters degree in childhood and special education while engaging in the study of deeper learning.

VISIT THE DEEPER LEARNING INSTITUTE
Three children with backpacks holding flowers, depicted in a stylized, sketch-like illustration.

INFORMATION REGARDING DR. KENNY OR HARLEM VILLAGE ACADEMIES

Paul LoMedico, Jr.


plomedico@harlemvillage.org

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Nicole Engel 



nengel@harlemvillage.org

BULK BOOK SALES

Interested in multiple copies of The Well-Educated Child for your class, book club or organization?

Email us and we will make it happen!
books@thewelleducatedchild.org