Most of what our Founding Fathers thought was essential to a good education is barely taught in schools anymore:

• Classical languages
• Religion
• Theology
• Biblical literacy
• Penmanship
• Cursive writing
• Calligraphy
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Syntax
• Vocabulary
• Etymology
• Memorization
• Recitation
• Dictation
• Logic
• Formal reasoning
• Rhetoric
• Oratory
• Public speaking
• Debate
• Dialectic
• Persuasive writing
• Essay composition
• Letter writing
• Philosophy
• Metaphysics
• Epistemology
• Ethics
• Moral philosophy
• Natural law
• Virtue
• Character formation
• Moral reasoning
• Civics
• Constitutional history
• Founding documents
• Political philosophy
• Natural rights
• Duties of citizenship
• Classical literature
• Epic poetry
• Poetry memorization
• Shakespeare
• The Great Books
• Ancient history
• Greek and Roman history
• Medieval history
• Church history
• Western civilization
• Chronological history
• Historical biography
• Geography
• Map reading
• Mental arithmetic
• Arithmetic drills
• Euclidean geometry
• Mathematical proofs
• Astronomy
• Natural history
• Music theory
• Choral singing
• Hymnody
• Drawing
• Fine arts appreciation
• Aesthetics
• Physical education
• Calisthenics
• Self-discipline
• Etiquette
• Manners
• Courtesy
• Respect for elders
• Personal responsibility
• Prudence
• Temperance
• Fortitude
• Justice
• Intellectual humility
• Independent judgment
• The pursuit of truth
• The cultivation of wisdom
  //

Nothing to add. Every item here starts with learning to read well. Then a great teacher asks the right question, and it passes from a person to a child. In a class of six, the teacher hears every recitation and catches every stumble. Whoever has the best teachers wins. //

Republican authors (Cicero, Plutarch, Sidney, Cato's Letters) and Enlightenment political thinkers (Locke, Montesquieu)

They would want us to remain obsessed with understanding the conditions required for self governance — the civic virtue and political system