Acton Academy: Revolutionizing Education

We believe every child is a hero on a journey-one filled with challenges, discoveries, and moments of deep growth. Instead of teachers delivering lessons, we have Guides who ask powerful questions, encourage curiosity, and help learners take ownership of their education. Instead of memorizing facts for tests, our learners work on real-world projects, problem-solving challenges, and apprenticeships that prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

Our Values

Curiosity

f4493373-b05d-4b50-ad9a-94f69ff6a9fd

Courage

IMG_3325adj

Community

3a0712a6-bc8c-4835-8b89-2b0f712f573b

Our Promises

Learn to Be a Curious, Independent, Lifelong Learner

Instead of passively absorbing information, learners at Acton take charge of their learning by asking questions, solving problems, and following their curiosity. They set goals, track progress, and push themselves to master new skills, developing the habits of lifelong learning.

Cherish the Arts, Wonders of the Physical World, and the Mysteries of Life on Earth

Whether through art, nature, stories, or scientific exploration, learners cultivate a sense of wonder. They engage in discussions, hands-on projects, and creative expression that inspire curiosity, deepen connection, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Begin a Hero’s Journey

At Acton Academy, we believe every child is a genius who deserves to find a calling that will change the world. The Hero’s Journey is about embracing challenges, learning from failure, and making courageous choices. Through real-world challenges, Socratic discussions, and personal goal-setting, learners build the courage and perseverance needed to take ownership of their journey.

Develop a deep respect for economic, political, and religious freedoms

At Acton, learners don’t just study freedom; they experience it. They step into the shoes of historical heroes, facing tough decisions where they must weigh personal liberty against the greater good. Through these experiences, they learn that freedom comes with responsibility and see firsthand how their actions impact others in a civil society.

Discover Your Most Precious Gifts and Learn to Use Them to Serve Others

Every learner has unique gifts and interests. Acton provides opportunities for self-discovery through real-world challenges, apprenticeships, and meaningful work. Over time, learners discover who they are and how they can use their gifts to serve others in a way that brings them joy.

What Makes Acton Academy different?

Group 10Created with Sketch.1

Acton Academy uses the latest technology along with "hands-on" learning from Montessori materials to executing Quests in a self-paced learning environment to allow each student the flexibility to progress through the core skills of math, reading, and writing, without limitation and without a deadline. In the place of scheduled tests and traditional grading, we reward intentionality and require demonstration of mastery.

Group 11Created with Sketch.2

We believe children learn best by doing. Our afternoons are reserved for collaboration on projects that are designed to involve students so that real learning takes place. Our projects are called Quests, which culminate in an Exhibition where mastery is demonstrated in fun and creative ways to an audience of family, friends, and members of our community.

3Created with Sketch.3

We encourage our students to develop personal virtues such as honesty, hard work, responsibility, kindness, and empathy to arm them with purpose and good character.

4Created with Sketch.4

We believe the learning experience is much richer when the teacher (“Guide”) offers insightful questions to facilitate learning. Guides use the Socratic method, responding to students’ questions with new questions or choices. This exchange hones students’ critical thinking skills.

5Created with Sketch.5

Acton Academy is “learner led.” Our students take ownership of their education by setting their own goals, rewards, and consequences. They learn to embrace challenge, think independently, and collaborate with their peers to problem-solve without adult intervention. We believe great learning takes place when students are allowed to work through a challenge independently.

6Created with Sketch.6

We believe in the power of apprenticeships. Beginning in middle school, our students obtain summer internships, Acton students receive the benefit of early exposure and experience in real work environments.

Personalized Learning Tools for
Reading, Writing, and Mathematics

Learners choose the tools that work best for them, and advance through material at their own pace.  Without the pressure of deadlines or grade levels, learners may take the time they need to master a topic in one subject while moving forward in another without waiting on a scheduled curriculum. 

Quests

Quests are four-to-six week series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and designed to provide growth in relevant, 21st century skills. At the elementary level Quests serve to expose learners to the broad range of scientific concepts as well as stories of history, civilization, and culture.  Their effort will culminate in a public exhibition where they present their work in a creative and engaging way, allowing learners to practice communication, teamwork, public speaking, and problem solving.

Measuring Excellence

Students celebrate the mastery of tools, skills and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions.

Group 10Created with Sketch.1

Points are earned for intentionality in Core Skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, and spelling, while Badges are awarded for topics mastered. Parents have access to online dashboards to receive analytic feedback on their child's progress.

Group 11Created with Sketch.2

Public exhibitions at the end of most Quests allow young heroes to present work to experts, customers or the public for a real world test. electronic portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.

3Created with Sketch.3

"Learn to Be" Badges are earned for progress in self-development and Peer Reviews are given for demonstration of heroic character in the studio, with an emphasis on problem solving, leadership, grit, perseverance, and courage.

Entrepreneurship

Every year, our students build small businesses from the ground up.

Every Spring our Entrepreneurship Quest is executed by our heroes, guiding them from ideation to cost analysis, branding and marketing, to sales pitch and booth presentation.  Our learners feature their start up companies at the Acton Children’s Business Fair Frisco, where they test their business ideas on real customers for real money.

Have Questions?

Schedule a call or use the form below to tell us about your family and what you’re looking for. 

We read every submission and will respond promptly.