ESCONDIDO TUTORIAL SERVICE

REVIEWS

Ashley Carr March 6, 2019
I don't know where to begin? I'm still learning to articulate what exactly it is ETS and Mr. H did for me, and as I get older the extent to which I realize its/his impact simply continues to expand. It would not be an understatement to say that ETS was the most formative influence in my growth as a young person apart from my own family.
Something I have always appreciated and admired about Mr. H is that he embodies, to the best of his ability, what he believes to be good and true, and his belief and life reflects a careful synthesis of all the most beautiful and meaningful parts of the Great Books tradition, so that the community he has formed at ETS is nothing short of inspiring. I couldn’t help but love to learn! I was breathing the air of that place, and paired with the timeless lecturers that are the Great Books authors and the engaging method with which Mr. H drew us into the implications of the texts we read, I was caught up into an irresistible love of the good, the beautiful, and the true. Once I read Plato—and Mr. H asked us to consider, “What if Beauty isn’t in the eye of the beholder? What if all beautiful things in our world are beautiful because they partake in Beauty itself?”—there was no going back. I was sold: hook, line, and sinker.
I think this is why he can’t keep his alumni from showing up years later to breathe in the air of the Hall, the learning and discussion, the music, the dancing, and the powerful, rich, heartfelt prayers which close out every event.
I continue to find inspiration from Mr. H and this program as I now make my own halting, stumbling efforts at teaching. I am beginning to understand the extent to which Mr. H has honed his craft and thought deeply about these texts, as I make attempts to do the same. As a fourteen year old, I had no idea what I was being given, but now I realize that what I was given in ETS was a priceless gift, and I am so very grateful for it.
City: Escondido, CA
Jonathan Palmer February 24, 2019
Escondido Tutorial Services had a tremendous impact on my education and, I believe, who I have become in the world. While I have no doubt forgotten many details already, the broad exposure to Western thought and the unique experience presented to discuss both with Mr. Hinrichs and with my peers as we wrestled with ideas and philosophies has shaped my understanding of current events and my ability to engage modern ideas. The opportunity to study these books, especially starting at such a young age, was so unique - and it's an opportunity I will value for my entire life.

While the Great Books Tutorials were the primary focus of my time with ETS, the impact on my life extends much deeper as I enjoyed international travel, British Literature, and an introduction to woodworking that allows me to enjoy that hobby to this day.

Mr. and Mrs. Hinrichs themselves offer wonderful examples to their students of passionate and engaged lives filled with hobbies, beautiful things, and beautiful people. If you have the opportunity for ETS to be a part of your child's education, don't pass it up.
City: Grass Valley, CA
Rachel Cochrane February 2, 2019
I cannot put into words how much ETS and Mr. H influenced my high school experience. Not only did they provide me with a solid foundation in the liberal arts, but it taught me to examine my convictions and initiated a lifelong process of learning. I did not merely read a bunch of old books, I read the story of humanity and discovered my place in it.
City: Murrieta
Francis Pedraza February 1, 2019
Keats\' poem on first reading Homer describes exactly what it was like for me, at the age of 12, to sit in on Mr. H\'s introductory lecture to The Illiad: I was transported to another world; a world of myth and adventure, full of promise, whispering of fate and destiny, of temptation and wisdom, and of inspired human potential. The five years that followed gave me the ultimate primer on Western thought, and I have never stopped reading the classics of philosophy, literature, politics, economics or history. The ancient Hebrews would place honey on the Bible and have their children kiss it, to know the sweetness of knowledge and wisdom. I have remained a man of the book; I still read about a book a week -- and it has made all the difference. I credit all of that to one man\'s decision to teach. Thank you!
City: New York
Robert Thompson December 23, 2018
Please ignore my last review. It turns out, i'm back into ETS because it is that great.
This class will make you laugh, cry, and maybe go crazy. Whether reading about Odysseus calling people palm trees or how ignoring birds may kill you, you will always have a good time in class.

The events Mr. H puts on are second to none. His events range from Christmas caroling to Greek dancing. You can't miss any of these events. If you do miss a ETS event you will regret it for the rest of your life. (I am not kidding here.)

Please do yourself a favor and join ETS as soon as possible.
City: Murrieta
Veronica Hammerling December 10, 2018
ETS has been such a gem in my education. I am so grateful that I have this opportunity to study these books and ideas that our culture has labeled "too hard" or "unnecessary" for middle or high school students. Whether the the said books and ideas be Euclidean geometry, singing in harmony, or Greek philosophy, Mr. Hinrichs has recognized their value in a wholesome education,
Mr. Hinrichs's teaches in a manner that helps cultivate appreciation and enthusiasm for the subject at hand. His examples, be they parties vs muggings, or romantic roadkill, offer an witty way to grasp some of the concepts in the seemingly daunting reading lists, and bring life and meaning to every classroom discussion.
When I first joined, I thought one would sit in for class, give a brief nod to fellow students, and go home. And I am so glad that I was wrong. ETS provides a wonderful community of smart, thoughtful, caring young men and women who are on this journey with you. I know quite a few students and alumni from various years, and they seem more like family than classmates, and Mr. H is more of an uncle than just a teacher. The events held are a great way to have fun dancing, singing, and competing with friends in a very constructive way.
I hope you join this community, for it is definitely helping me to grow in mind and soul, and prepare to set out on the pilgrimage of Christian adulthood.
City: Escondido
Zack Lucia December 4, 2018
There are so very many positive points to make about the Great Books experience, and how ETS excels in teaching this subject, that it is quite hard to be web review brief.

I am a proud GBT alumni, to say this experience was a foundation of my education is an understatement. At its core, this program teaches the value of establishing a worldview; a framework of ideas by which we intake, and exhale, the world around us. At its heart, ETS is committed to encouraging students to uncover Truth - through all the activities you see listed on this site.

What other educational programs have that as their mission?

Attending GBT prepared me for wrestling, enjoying, weeping and living as a human more than any other education experience I've had to date (yes, college included). ETS teaches students how to learn - and we never, ever stop learning.
City: Los Angeles, California
Annie Olson December 4, 2018
Going into GBT, I was a little nervous. I expected that I would be expected to understand the difficult books we read right off the bat. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Mr. Hinrichs does not expect that of us at all. If we don't understand, we are encouraged to take a step back and think about what we already know and then if we are still confused, Mr. Hinrichs will ask us questions so that we can come to the conclusion ourselves. We are able to laugh and learn at the same time with Mr. Hinrichs' contextual jokes and commentary. I love GBT and it has greatly influenced the way I look at, not only reading but learning as a whole.
City: San Diego
Malaina Feeley December 4, 2018
I really like GBT! This class is nothing like any others I've taken, as it makes not only reading, but everything we learn about through the reading very interesting and meaningful. I love discussing the books in class and finding the deeper meanings hidden in them. It is not just like most classes, where you read the text, answer questions, and forget about everything after. In GBT, you read the text, then you answer, discuss, and think about questions. The discussions give meaning to what we are reading. We come back to these questions when reading other books as well, so all of the things that we learn about are not forgotten; the information in them can be utilized in the future.
City: Menifee, California
Ella Wagner December 1, 2018
Mr. Hinrichs is by far my favorite teacher/tutor I've ever had the pleasure of learning from. He makes the vigorous reading material easy to understand, and he makes the more boring parts of books very enjoyable. I thoroughly enjoy each and every aspect of ETS, it fills all of the gaps that my normal high school education is lacking in. My favorite part of GBT is the sense of Christian community that is so easily seen throughout each class and event. Everyone is so respectful, kind, and altogether lovely to be around. Being able to discuss and talk about the hard topics that we study in GBT, is something that I would have been able to do without Mr. Hinrich's classes. The atmosphere that Mr. Hinrichs provides in GBT is both fun and warmhearted, while also being thoughtful and Christ-centered. I would highly recommend GBT for any student who can be ready to learn with a good, hard-working attitude, as well as wishes to be a part of a more Christ-centered community.
City: Escondido
Colleen Blockhus November 15, 2018
When I first found out that I was taking an online Great Books class, I expected a sterile, academic environment with more intellectual stimulation than personal connection. I could not have been more wrong. Studying the Great Books means discussing the ideas that really matter, which leads to deep friendships and true fellowship. In addition, Mr. Hinrichs intentionally fosters an informal, genuine community in his classes, unifying his students in the quest to not only seek truth, but to also encourage and better one other. Whether we're discussing Platonic Forms or bunny smoothies, there's always something beautiful, meaningful, and hilarious in each and every conversation. My Great Books friends are my family, and Mr. H. is the wise and witty father who brings us all together. If anyone is looking for a community of curious, respectful, and deep-thinking teens, I'd suggest you look no further. Come join the ETS family!
City: Sugar Land, Texas
Karen Near Wells November 8, 2018
We were looking for a great books education; we fell into a great community of humans who love words and beauty and music and deep fellowship and even deeper thinking. Thank you Mr and Mrs H for all you gave to our family. All four of my children spent some time under your tutelage. They are better thinkers and better humans. ETS provides a vision of a noble life and thoughtful pursuit of the Truth. Onward and Upward.
City: Morgan Hill, California

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