Cicero Learning, founded by Paul Bennett, was developed to redefine education. Their model is a classic one-to-one teaching approach, but adapted for modern lives that require flexibility.
The program is designed for families who want freedom in the classroom and academic rigor. To achieve this, Cicero connects students with expert teachers who design personalized courses for them to ignite their curiosity, deepen their understanding, and support their long-term intellectual growth.
Cicero was born out of Bennett’s personal experience. He says, “[He and his spouse] wanted to travel the world and work from anywhere, but with kids between the ages of 5 and 18, what do we do about school? Viola, Cicero was born.”
Given the research demonstrating that one-to-one instruction can improve academic outcomes and the need for a changing classroom environment, Cicero Learning emerged from development.
The alternative learning program holds one central principle: when teaching is tailored to the individual, learners engage more deeply and achieve at a higher level.
This practice enables teachers to meet their students where they are currently and guide them forward with specific intention, rather than shuffling them toward the average.
At Cicero, there is no standard student, because the program rejects the idea of a one-size-fits-all education. The curriculum favors the individualized instruction model, in which teachers design courses based on each learner’s interests, learning pace, and educational goals. The purpose is to create an educational experience that is relevant to the learner and challenging, rather than rigid or generic.
In addition to its curriculum specificity, it was also developed to address mobility and flexibility issues in education. Cicero aims to let students “learn from anywhere”, so families can be traveling, worldschooling, or simply seeking the flexibility of alternative schooling.
Through the Cicero model, teachers seek to provide world-class education with one-to-one learning, allowing families to be untethered from a physical school or building and enabling learners to explore the world while maintaining academic continuity and rigor.
Cicero claims to provide pathways to top outcomes, with learners engaged in the curriculum and succeeding. The company says that graduates of the program have gone on to attend leading universities. In the spirit of the curriculum, Cicero demonstrates that personalized, flexible education can open doors at the highest levels.
At Cicero, the educational relationship between teacher and learner is prioritized through a personalized curriculum and a one-to-one methodology. In the program, they emphasize that great teachers deliver content to students and act as mentors.
Additionally, the program upholds the principle that meaningful education occurs through dialogue, guidance, and partnership in learning. The system seeks to understand learner interests and build a curriculum based on that, while fostering discussion. This creates a learning system that values the mentorship aspect of learning, using guidance to build a trustworthy relationship.
This system is meant to guide students through the content, challenge them to do more, and inspire them to dream big. The mentorship approach to teaching may build deeper trust, creating a safer environment in which to challenge learners. It can encourage their curiosity, fostering the inspiration and creativity of young learners. Finally, the sum of these traits can develop confidence as independent thinkers.
Cicero Learning operates as an alternative to conventional education, bridging the classroom and the world with flexibility that aims not to compromise on quality education.
The Cicero model builds curriculum in the learner’s interest, tailoring work to the student so they are engaged and developing personally. The system builds mentorship experiences between teacher and learner to facilitate deeper learning and critical thinking.
For families seeking a more thoughtful and effective approach, it offers a model built around how learners grow.
