We are a school of Philosophy.
We promote Culture.
We practice Volunteering.
A Gym for the Mind in Ravenswood
Serving the Chicago community since 2005.
We are a non-profit school of philosophy. But we aren't a university. We don't hand out degrees, and we don't focus on memorizing dates. We exist to provide a space where busy Chicagoans can slow down, ask big questions, and find practical wisdom for modern living.
20 Years in Chicago
New Acropolis Chicago opened its doors in 2005. In a city that is constantly changing, we have remained a constant. We are an all-volunteer organization, run by people who live and work right here in the city.
We settled in Ravenswood because we believe in the power of neighborhoods. We wanted to be a place where you can walk in off the street, have a cup of tea, and have a conversation that actually matters.
1. Fraternity (Unity)
To promote an Ideal of international fraternity, based on respect for human dignity, beyond racial, sexual, cultural, religious, social or other differences.
We don't care about your job title, your bank account, or who you voted for. We care about you. We strive to build a community where people treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of our differences.
2. Knowledge (Curiosity)
To encourage the love of wisdom through the comparative study of philosophies, religions, sciences and arts, in order to promote the knowledge of the human being, the laws of Nature and the Universe.
We are "Eclectic." That means we don't think one culture has all the answers. We study the wisdom of the East and West—from Plato to Confucius, science to art—to find the common threads of truth.
3. Development (Growth)
To develop the best of the human potential, by promoting the realization of the human being as an individual and his or her integration as an active and conscious part of society and nature, in order to improve the world.
We believe that if you want to change the world, you have to start by changing yourself. Our classes and volunteering projects are designed to help you unlock your potential and build inner character.
What We Believe Our school is built on three pillars that guide everything we do:
Local Roots, Global Reach
While we are deeply local, we aren't alone. New Acropolis Chicago is part of an international federation founded in 1957.
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50+ Countries: From Brazil to Japan.
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40,000+ Volunteers: A worldwide network of friends.
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60+ Years of Experience: We’ve been refining our method for decades.
This connects our students in Chicago to a global dialogue about the future of humanity.
External Resources & Global Network
Explore More About New Acropolis
✅ New Acropolis USA Website – Explore our national initiatives.
✅ New Acropolis International Website – Learn about our global movement.
✅ New Acropolis News – Stay updated with philosophy in action.
✅ New Acropolis Schools Around the World – Discover our presence worldwide.
✅ Founder and International Directors – Meet the leadership that guides us.
✅ New Acropolis International Photo Contest – PhiloPhoto – See philosophy expressed through photography.
