Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer
"Don't read this book unless you're ready to have your life disrupted and forever changed."
- Heidi Anne
"Children are natural learners - full of curiosity and excitement about the world around them. They are not afraid to fall down or make mistakes. They are not afraid to ask question after question and explore deeply to discover new answers. Most even believe they have superpowers that could change the world. This is the energy we work to fuel at Acton Academy."
Courage to Grow is the intimate origin story of Acton Academy, one of today's most innovative schools with a model quickly spreading around the globe. If you have ever wondered if there are more powerful ways for young people to learn, step aboard for a behind the scenes tour of how Acton Academy unlocks the genius in every child, while embracing personal accountability and forging character.
"THE must-have book for any parent or anyone else who cares about education."
If you're ready to:
At Acton, we cultivate self-directed learners. A self-directed learner is guided by his or her interests and is able to set and achieve learning goals, research questions, solve problems, participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.
We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.
Acton learners measure themselves on effort, mastery, and leadership. Additionally, Acton learners use portfolios, real world exhibitions, peer reviews, goal monitoring, and other meaningful evidence to show progress on their journey. For years, learners took a once-a-year standardized test, progressing 2-3 grade levels per year on average.
Yes. We are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools.
We believe each of our students will find a passion - something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people's day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child's eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero's Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people's lives.
Acton Academy admits learners and affiliates of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.