An assignment given to eighth-grade students at the Mount Vernon School in Atlanta asking them to rate Adolf Hitler’s characteristics as a leader sparked outrage among parents and students due to its suspected anti-Semitic nature. The questions included asking students to rate Hitler as a ‘solution seeker’ and an ethical decision-maker, with options ranging from ‘Lacks Evidence’ to ‘Exceeds Expectations.’ Many viewed the assignment as glorifying the warmongering totalitarian leader and were concerned about the potential anti-Semitic implications of the questions.
While some students defended the assignment as a way to encourage critical thinking and explore different perspectives in history, others found it troubling and inappropriate given the historical context of Hitler and World War II. Parents were also upset about the questions, with some former students noting that they did not receive similar assignments during their time at the school. Despite the controversy, Mount Vernon officials removed the assignment from the curriculum and issued a statement explaining that it was meant to boost students’ knowledge of historical events and the manipulation of fear by Hitler during the Treaty of Versailles.
The principal of Mount Vernon, Kristy Lundstrom, met with school officials and a concerned rabbi to discuss the impact of the assignment and plan a thorough review of the situation. She acknowledged the sensitivity of discussing Adolf Hitler and the traumatic events associated with World War II. The private school, which serves more than 1200 students from preschool through Grade 12, emphasizes inquiry, innovation, and Christian values in preparing students to be college ready, globally competitive, and engaged citizen leaders.
Despite the school’s attempts to explain the assignment as part of an exploration of World War II events, many parents and students found the questions about Adolf Hitler to be inappropriate and potentially anti-Semitic. Concerns were raised about the glorification of a dictator responsible for the Holocaust and the need to approach such sensitive topics with care and sensitivity. While some defended the assignment as an exercise in critical thinking and historical analysis, others felt that the questions were out of line and should not have been included in the curriculum.
Following the backlash, Mount Vernon officials removed the assignment from the curriculum and worked with school leaders and community members to address the concerns raised by parents and students. The school’s mission of preparing students to be engaged leaders grounded in Christian values was called into question by the nature of the assignment, prompting a reevaluation of how historical topics are presented and discussed in the classroom. Moving forward, the school will likely implement new guidelines and protocols for addressing potentially sensitive or controversial subjects to avoid similar incidents in the future.
