Augusto Cury's School of Intelligence

3 minutes

The School of Intelligence, based on Augusto Cury's Theory of Multifocal Intelligence, promotes the cognitive development of students through the education of emotions and the mind.

Written and verified by the social educator Natalia Cobos Serrano.

Last update: 27 December, 2022

Augusto Cury is a Brazilian psychologist and psychiatrist that reaffirms the value of teachers. According to Cury, teaching is the most important professional collective in our societies. Teachers share the responsibility of educating the intelligence and creativity of their students. In this light, Cury created the School of Intelligence, based on his Theory of Multifocal Intelligence, in order to make youngsters the protagonists of their own stories.

According to Cury, today’s schools are, in general, failing. Children and teens today are constantly being bombarded by an excess of information. What’s more, they don’t really know what to do with the information they receive. This constant bombardment forces them to exert en enormous amount of effort and energy. As a result, students are unable to learn.

“There are no difficult youth, but rather inadequate education.”
– Augusto Cury –

The starting point: Multifocal intelligence

The basis of School of Intelligence and, in general, all of the background the surrounds it, is Cury’s theory of multifocal intelligence. This theory focuses on analyzing the construction of thought in multiple aspects.

For example, after suffering public humiliation, what will define our pain level won’t be just one dimension, or “focus”, as Cury calls it. Rather, it will depend on multiple factors. These include our personality, our mood at the time, the type of humiliation, the place where it took place, etc.

Ultimately, the Theory of Multifocal Intelligence analyzes the functioning of the mind. At the same time, it analyzes the phenomenons that construct emotions. In doing so, it offers techniques for the formation of thinkers and skills for personal, social, and professional development.

What is Augusto Cury’s School of Intelligence?

In the words of Cury, the School of Intelligence consists of a pedagogy based on the development of social emotional abilities along with knowledge of the mind and behavior.

Fundamentally, the methodology of the School of Intelligence prompts the improvement of the teaching-learning process. At the same time, it aims to improve interpersonal relationships through the education of emotions and the mind.

Accordingly, expanding on the socioemotional realm, Augusto talks of the importance of educating students in an emotional wealth. And this requires creativity and sensitivity, as well as skills like empathy.

“The ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes in order to perceive the hurts and needs of others and having the capacity to transform crises into constructive opportunities.”
– Augusto Cury –

The benefits of the School of Intelligence

Therefore, the School of Intelligence is an educational program that offers multiple advantages. And these advantages can only take place when there are good teachers who are committed to their vocation. So, what are the advantages of the School of Intelligence?:

The handling of emotions and the development of intelligence.
Skills for the construction of healthy relationships and conflict resolution.
The ability to combat and prevent bullying and substance abuse.
Improving school performance and learning.
A creative spirit.
Improved quality of life for all agents that participate in the teaching-learning process. In other words, teachers, parents and, of course, students.

Finally, Augusto Cury’s School of Intelligence is a program designed to be implemented in educational institutions. The purpose of implementing this program is to instill a culture that develops emotional intelligence and mental and social health.