The Acton Model

Our Model

We believe that learning to be, learning to learn, and learning to do are more important than learning to know.

300+
Campuses Worldwide
30+
Countries
9/10
Families Recommend Acton
Inside the Studio

A Day in the Life

A day in our Studios is creativity within constraints: large blocks of time for work and play with clear but broad guardrails, equipping young people to manage their time, set goals, and track progress.

Daily Schedule

8:00
Drop-off / Free Time
8:30
Daily Launch
Socratic Discussion
8:45
Core Skills
Goal setting, math, writers' workshop, reading, civilization discussion. "Brain Breaks" throughout.
11:30
Lunch / Free Time
12:30
Quest Launch
Socratic Discussion
12:45
Quest
Hands-on work, team-based challenges, sciences, coding, entrepreneurship, art & music, history, report on goals.
2:45
Studio Maintenance
3:00
Closing Group
Socratic Discussion
3:15
Pick-up

The schedule is flexible to accommodate different learning needs. Students can rearrange work blocks and choose from a variety of work options based on personal goals, passions, and commitments.

What Acton Is Not

A Different Kind of School

Most schools were designed to produce compliant workers. We were designed to raise heroes.

Traditional
Traditional School
Acton Academy
Learner-Driven
The Goal
Learn to know and obey — pass tests, earn grades, follow the curriculum
Learn to learn, do, and be — find a calling that changes the world
Who Drives Learning
The teacher sets the pace, the topic, and the standard
The learner sets goals, tracks progress, and owns the journey
Motivation
External — grades, gold stars, fear of failure
Internal — curiosity, mastery, belonging, and a sense of purpose
Mastery
Move on when the semester ends, regardless of understanding
Move on only when mastery is demonstrated — badges and exhibitions, not tests
Role of Adults
Lecturers and authority figures who deliver content and discipline
Guides who ask questions, not give answers — Socratic, not directive
Age Grouping
Same-age cohorts — everyone on the same page, at the same pace
Mixed-age studios — older heroes mentor younger ones; everyone grows
Character
An add-on, if it happens at all
The whole point — grit, courage, integrity, and servant leadership are the curriculum
Real-World Readiness
Prepares for the next test, the next grade, the next institution
Prepares for a calling — apprenticeships, business launches, public exhibitions
What Makes Us Different

21st Century Learning

We believe that learning to be, learning to learn, and learning to do are more important than learning to know.

The latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.
Hands-on project-based quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world.
Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self-governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.
Professional tools for art, engineering, tech and storytelling in place of worksheets and busy work.
Written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and honestly resolve interpersonal problems.
Progress & Growth

Measuring Mastery

Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges and taking part in public exhibitions.

01
Badges & Tracking
Learners use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in Servant Leader Badges.
02
Public Exhibitions
Young heroes deliver public exhibitions of their work at the end of each four to six week sprint.
03
Peer Reviews
Self-management and self-governance skills are measured by peer reviews at the end of each session.
Measuring Mastery
Culture & Character

A Learner-Driven Community

Our young heroes learn in tightly bound communities with extremely high standards of excellence, where self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily.

Contract of Promises
Learners create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.
Running Partners & Squads
Running Partners and Squads encourage younger and older heroes to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.
Servant Leader Badges
Servant Leader badges celebrate warm-hearted and tough-minded decisions that build character.
Learner-Driven Community
Ages & Studios

Four Studios, One Journey

From the youngest Sparks to Launchpad learners preparing for the real world, every studio builds on the last.

Spark Studio
Ages 4–7
The Spark Studio
Harness curiosity.
Like Maria Montessori, we believe even the youngest child has important work to do, even if the work is imaginary play or working with wood scraps, ladders, and old tires to build a castle. The Spark Studio is best imagined as a garden where learners embrace Montessori work and Spark Play to learn real-life skills and develop the independence, focus, and kindness needed to enter an Acton Elementary Studio — each prepared to discover a calling that will change the world.
  • Grow curiosity through hands-on projects and outdoor adventure "Spark Play".
  • Explore mindfulness, natural interests, and music, and have a LOT of fun.
  • Build the foundations of independent learning, reading, writing, communication, and math.
Elementary Studio
Ages 7–11
The Elementary Studio
Accomplish important work and play well with others.
An Acton Elementary Studio is like a close-knit neighborhood where learners tackle important work, solve problems, collaborate with peers, and engage in increasingly challenging games.
  • Ask great questions.
  • Have fun and welcome others.
  • Set and track goals.
  • Build a solid foundation in math, reading, writing, and Civilization.
  • Explore, are curious and develop a love of learning through hands-on project-based learning.
Middle School Studio
Ages 11–14
The Middle School Studio
Learn to work hard.
Acton Academy Middle School is where young heroes learn to work hard, tackle complex computational challenges; communicate clearly and persuasively and develop the passion and real-world skills needed to make a difference in the world.
  • Master core skills (reading, writing, and math) through the latest technology.
  • Develop critical thinking and an appreciation for heroes and history through Socratic discussions.
  • Dive deeply into biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
  • Prepare for the real world through challenging apprenticeships.
Launchpad Studio
Ages 14–18
The Launchpad Studio
Committing to a Next Great Adventure.
Launchpad (high school) is where learners prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, whether the next step is a selective college, launching their own business or a first job at SpaceX or Google.

Extraordinary young leaders spend time doing something they love to do; inspired by world class coaches and experts; having fun with friends as they create lifelong memories.

  • Read deep literature; communicate clearly and powerfully; and tackle real world computational challenges.
  • Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance.
  • Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
  • Serve in leadership roles in lower studios, their community, and around the world in the Acton Network.
Entrepreneurship in Action

Children's Business Fair

Every year, children build small businesses from the ground-up.

Watch the video to learn about our business fairs.

Want to bring a business fair to your community? Learn more at childrensbusinessfair.org

Start Your Journey

Find a school, become a guide, or launch a campus of your own.

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