If Learn to DO, Learn to BE, and Learn to LEARN challenges are accepted, young heroes will absorb amazing amounts of Learn to KNOW information – but in context, and in a way that they can use and won’t soon forget
The Acton Learning Design drives the approach of the the Exploration Studio (ages 7 to 11). The Spark Studio (ages 4 to 7) sets the foundation and introduces concepts in a play-based way so learners can soar when they graduate to the next studio.
In the Exploration Studio, a learner-driven environment means that your child will be free to pursue mastery at their own pace, and the Guides (what would be called teachers in a more traditional setting) will not serve as a bottleneck to keep everyone contained on the same learning track and timeline.
Continue to our blog to learn more about the Acton curriculum.
3 Keys to Learning at Acton
Learn to Be
Build strong character, practice servant leadership, and develop warm-hearted and tough-minded character traits while searching for a calling that will change the world.
Learn to Do
Acton Academy is built around 5-7 week hands-on, real-world “quests” that culminate in a public exhibition to display what was learned
Learn to Learn
Develop habits of lifelong learners, such as curiosity to dig into new subjects, perserverance through stuck points, and resourcefulness to find the tools or people to learn best
At Acton Academy Lakeside we use
Socratic discussions, hands-on learning, and the latest in adaptive learning technology in a character-focused environment
Acton Academy Lakeside Studios
Spark Studio: Full Day and Half Day
Ages 4 to 7
Develop a unique, curious, and independent spirit and grow a kind, courteous community while laying a foundation for core skills
With both a full day and a half day program, Spark is designed to empower and equip young learners in a happy and safe environment using Montessori materials and plenty of play. Learners are ready to soar into the learner-driven environment of the Exploration Studio.
Exploration Studio
Ages 7 to 11
Develop a deep love of learning, kindness in relationships with others, and curiosity to pursue passions, while building mastery in relevant core skills
The Exploration studio develops a foundation of learning and discovery through personalized Core Skills, exploratory real-world quest projects, Socratic discussions, and play.
Acton Academy uses a flexible education approach where each student has their own learning plan and progresses after mastery, not after the grade they have been assigned or at the pace of the teacher.
Middle School Studio
Ages 11 to 15
Develop further mastery in core skills while tackling exciting and challenging hands-on quests and communication challenges, plus embarking on real-world apprenticeships; all in a learner-led environment where the guide equips sheepdogs to lead the tribe
The goal of a Middle School studio is to offer learners exciting Quests and increasingly challenging Writing and Communication work that culminates in public Exhibitions and Apprenticeships, all of which prepares learners for a Next Great Adventure in Launchpad.
What if children are far more
capable than we ever imagined?
Acton Academy In Action
Learning design
You won’t find grades or report cards at Acton. The heroes and Guides use a software program unique to Acton Academy to track progress and see what the daily, weekly, and “session” plans are in real time. A session is a period of time used for the duration of a project, typically 5-7 weeks.
Our morning is focused on academics: math, reading, writing, spelling, and a foreign language of their choice. Core skills are often done in 2 shorter sessions, about 45 minutes at a time. As mentioned in the Acton Academy video, we use a variety of tools including game-based software, group problem-solving challenges, and hands-on materials.
The afternoons are when we work on the art of writing, civilization discussions, and project-based learning (“Quests”). Those projects hit all the major areas of learning like: art, music, history, the sciences — chemistry, physics, biology, life, environment, and specific technology like coding, robotics, software development, or graphic design. As an example, a popular quest in the Exploration Studio is where learners are placed in the role of scientists in Edison’s Menlo Park lab. As innovators, they conduct experiments, write patents, and must consider the cost of their experiments. The studio itself is transformed into a science lab, and the young innovators wear a uniform of goggles and lab coats.
Learner Driven
Everyone in our program has a significant role to play. Each learner and Guide has a responsibility to be a contributing member, committing to the process of supporting each other in their learning goals.
Students “audit” each other’s work, dive into deep learning and also deep conversations that sometimes might be tough. We value the messiness that comes with making mistakes or not getting something quite right — we view mistakes more like experiments that lead us to necessary corrections and improvements.
Through the democratic process, learners suggest changes to the system if they feel those are warranted, work in groups to dig into tricky problems, and learn how to support each other even when that feels hard. Over time Acton students experience growth in character, grit, and ability to persevere. The learners enjoy independent learning, are self-autonomous, show a willingness to collaborate and problem solve, and want to take on responsibility.
