How will Acton Academy Lakeside incorporate faith?

Acton Academy Lakeside is founded by Christian believers and studio Guides sign a statement of faith. Our mission is to help all learners that enter our doors to find their God-given calling that will change the world. Every child has unique passions and talents that they will explore at Acton. We believe each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose rooted in Christ, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. However, our community embraces learners from all religious backgrounds – we are a missional school that welcomes all.

We strive to maintain a simple, respectful, and loving learning environment for each hero to seek, question, discuss, grow, and struggle in their Christian journey.

We respect each hero’s gift of free will from God and will only act as a guide and support for each hero in their unique and personal journey to know God. It is our hope that each hero will grow to respect, appreciate, and love one another.  We envision each hero to build their own convictions, to know their self-worth, to discover their gifts, to gain confidence through struggles, failures, and successes, and to find their God-given calling to change the world.

Specifically, a Christian worldview will be approached in the following ways:

• Civilization discussions: 
  • Twice each week Heroes do individual research and gather into Socratic debates in small or large groups, diving into historical, geographical, political, economic and religious dilemmas, enigmas, and puzzles. In each case, Heroes step into the shoes of a historical figure at critical turning points to debate and make real-life decisions.
  •  Our primary goal with Civilization is to prepare future leaders to make important decisions, with deep context and perspective, rather than memorize easily Googled facts to regurgitate on a standardized test.  
  • Because we are faith-based, we will regularly focus these discussions on Christianity’s impact on the western world and biblical figures
  • An example of this type of discussion is below
• Morning devotion and reflection time: 
  • A verse of the day or a daily devotional that the student picks with time to write about that verse or devotion in a journal
    • If learner needs more direction, popsicle sticks with pre-selected verses will be available to read and reflect on (select one from a jar of 15-20 verses)
  • This will familiarize learners with the Bible while also practicing reading, writing, and thoughtfulness
• Prayer before lunch
• Launches (Socratic discussions)
  • Launches are 5-20 min Socratic discussions that typically occur 3-4 times a day (morning, before lunch, after free time, and at end of day)
  • The goal of a Launch is:
    • To Inspire by connecting to a challenge, hero or world-class example that lifts your eyes to the horizon and gives you energy.
    • To Equip by offering a process, recipe, algorithm or framework that leads to better decisions and habits.
    • To Connect by bringing the tribe closer together with each other, fellow travelers or loved ones.
  • We will incorporate faith-based questions in these launches. 
    • Events and heroes from the Bible. Learners will be presented with questions, will form an opinion, and articulate their answers. 
      • Example: 
        • Take 10 minute and research the story of David and Goliath (a resource option will be provided)
        • Socratic discussion: “Imagine you are David. You are being called by God to stand up against Goliath, the most feared warrior of the Philistines. He is 3 feet taller than you. He has conquered many other warriors. You know you need to follow God’s calling for you. Do you immediately obey the calling or do you take another route?” “Do you stick with the approach you know best (slingshot) or do you take a new approach because your friends think you’re crazy for using a slingshot.”
    • Higher-order, faith-based Socratic launches that will help students articulate their faith.
      • Example: “How does God help us have a moral, ethical society?” “Can you have a moral society without God?”
    • End of the day launches to recognize servant leadership, courage, kindness, gentleness, patience (and other fruits of the spirit)
• DEAR time (Drop Everything And Read)
  • Faith based books in the studio that learners can choose, plus the ability to bring any book from home
• Study and Service outside of the Studio:
  • Partnerships with organizations and people doing amazing faith-based things in the community (events, places, ideas, etc)
• Faith-based speakers (who are also entrepreneurs and successful community members) to come into the studio:
  • Goal of guest speakers is to provide their testimony while also sharing the “cool” things they are doing in their area of expertise in our community; future apprenticeships could also be with these people when our young learners are exploring their passions in the community