Discover the schools, companies, and neighborhoods that are right for you. As a thank you, we will send you this free ebook on how Acton Academy is turning learning upside down! Instead, they grabbed a camera and started goofing around until they got it. At Acton Academy Placer, outside of Sacramento, founder Matt Beaudreau says the growth in his programs has been breathtaking. Guides may offer a morning, midday and afternoon launch, a short inspiration, challenge or introduction to tools or processes. Success is not about completing worksheets or memorizing facts to pass a test. We are a tightly knit community of life long learners who are finding a calling to change the world. Real World Skills Self-Paced Learning Growing Character Is your family ready to reinvent education and embark on a fun and life-changing adventure? Students Grades 2-12 Applying What you need to apply application More on how to apply Sources ENVIRONMENT From the School Enrollment Start time 08:30 AM End time 03:15 PM Schedule Year-round Dress code None Middle school quests might include diagnosing patients in a biology quest or designing a floor plan for a new school in an architecture quest. We are so pleased and confident it is a great fit! Acton Academy and the Sandefers are featured in the screenshot below, but I encourage you to get acquainted with the overall landscape. Freedom is earned or lost by meeting certain expectations, and in the middle and high school studios, higher freedom levels are not given to those with low peer 360 reviews. We will notify you when an Acton Academy launches near you. In my opinion, the public school system sets a very low bar for academic progress. Now the student is working toward. On the day I visited The Wilder School, a bright, colorful and welcoming classroom in a standalone, home-like building behind the church from which Gregory rents the space, I got a glimpse of how a day at an Acton Academy operates. Studios replace traditional classrooms and create a space for students of varying ages to learn together. My open letter to Acton describes exactly how schools, institutions, and those set on 21st Century education reforms benefit from harvested data. This is the most amazing school ever. 3 - Deliver on your promises and reach break even quickly. In public school, every single thing is spelled out for kids. In a world where most schools have mission statements about preparation for a fuzzy future, the Acton Academy promise is shockingly bold and full of agency. We felt like Actons approach to academics was too extreme. Some kids will feel stressed when the burden of their growth is placed on their shoulders. You can email the founders, Jeff or Laura Sandefer, questions I reference below and see if they will disclose to you what they are doing with the data harvested from the use of the Acton Tracker, and why their framework is based on behavior theories designed to reward compliance through constant incentives. Since there isnt an external reward for quality, my sons focus mirrored the schools focus-which is completion. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin Microschools: tiny schools with powerful relationships. Acton Academy admits learners and affiliates of any race, color, I asked Acton how they are using the data from the tracker, how they are protecting the data harvested from my children on the tracker and the EdTech companies they promote. Acton Academy East Bay joins a growing network of Acton Academy Schools worldwide. Your kids wont study the Bible at an Acton, and they wont receive religious training, but there is still a nice focus on morality and ethics. Each Acton affiliate is founded by entrepreneurial parents like Gregory for whom the networks philosophy of highly personalized, self-paced, learner-driven education resonates. archive.is. Our kids were cheerful about going to school. But, the school folded. Like other networks, there are requirements to be a member such as satisfaction surveys. The Guides and staff are incredibly caring and truly invested in my hero's journey. They may also participate in outside competitions. We were so disappointed that it was NOTHING like the atmosphere or culture of the Acton wed experience in Boise (which was awesome). In essence, self-directed learning has long been discussed as an alternative to incentivized learning, and the two cannot co-exist. My kids were legitimately sad that they couldnt go, because they were in teams of kids working on projects, and they didnt want to let their peers down. Bound by extremely high standards of excellence and lifelong learning, this is where great adventures begin. Their "advisor", Jeff Sandefer, who founded the original Acton Academy, is a major Rick Perry donor.R. Demand for learner-driven education is growing. We love the quests, Socratic discussions, open nature of communication, & ability for our child to learn at his own pace. They were behind in math and reading when returning to another school. I was told that I could trust them or go to a new school, and that only I could protect my children. These are ways data can be harvested and utilized. Acton students are told they have a minimum number of lessons to do online for math and ELA. Home > United States > Milford, PA . and activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence. I pulled them out of school thinking that "okay" just wasn't what I wanted for them. Instead of letting some things go, they would bring another student to account in front of the council. It gives space for self expression while simultaneously providing guidance and structure. Learners are able to work at a pace that fits where they are. We've heard about the excessive homework and standardized tests that start in the early elementary years. They would sometimes be sad on Sunday nights in anticipating school the next day. However, we didnt feel confidence that our kids kept pace with public school. Sign up with your email address to receive communication and updates from Acton at Serenbe, Acton Academy at Serenbe255 Prom Field RdChattahoochee Hills, GA 30268770.463.0081, TEDX Talk by Acton Co-Founder Jeff Sandefer, Let's Teach for Mastery -- Not Test Scores | Sal Khan, A Virtual Tour of Acton Academy 2012-2013. Acton students are told they have a minimum number of lessons to do online for math and ELA. It is merely to share my observations of what Acton is really like. The Forest Schools educational model is cultivating the confidence and curiosity our daughter was lacking in the public school setting. The Acton where we moved to is in a TINY building that is absolutely PACKED with kids. On the lowest level a student has to sit in an assigned seat, cannot snack, and must get a minimum amount of work done. Also, there is a heavy focus on freedom to choose and kindness to others. We also had a negative experience at a different Acton Academy. The Jersey Village location serves ages 5-18 and operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. To be fair, there are many reasons that a child can fall behind academically, so I couldnt say that the lack of academic progress was the fault of the school. When we went for our initial visit to see the school, we werent allowed to go during times when the school was open, so we always felt like we didnt understand what was really happening on a typical day. This is a franchise that is growing too quickly and is not controlling the experience at all locations. Every student at Acton Academy believes they are on a Hero's Journey for a special calling. Threshold Studio. The Guides and Staff are top notch and are very inspiring to our son. . What they are doing with learner independence is something very unique and laudatory. It's an innovative approach to education that celebrates personal responsibility, creative freedom, and the pursuit of one's life purpose. These goals fall within the broad academic categories of reading, writing and mathematics, but the children, called heroes at Acton, decide how and what those goals entail, with help from their instructors, or guides.. Schedule a Meeting. We believe that education should be about learning to learn, learning to do and learning to be. I love the real world experience of the Forest School. Your message has been sent.We'll BE IN TOUCH SHORTLY. We join teams in Wisconsin, Chicago, Toronto, Houston and London who won the right to open a new wave of Acton Academies to build on the success of the original Acton Academy in Austin, Texas. A teacher and literacy specialist for 20 years in both public and private schools, Ross values the freedom and flexibility of the Acton model. If they do not, they will lose a buck each week for not completing the minimum. In fact, we were shocked at how poor the experience was for the kids. They couldnt really explain how the freedom levels worked. They are written and published online, on Actons tracker. 2 - Launch in your home or a rented space. Since its inception, Acton Academy has received over 15,000 applications from parents who desire to launch an affiliate school. Do you wonder if Acton is right for your child and family? Public schools hold kids hands too much, but at Acton, we felt like there wasnt enough adult mentoring that could have helped our kids. I write about the future of learning, work and human development. Acton students are empowered to thrive in a world that needs independent, motivated thinkers and learners. This means just going to online forums to obtain the answers and complete the work. team is gearing up to onboard 150 new schools each year thereafter. Find out what works well at Acton Academy from the people who know best. A 21st century school with locations in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach. Its an innovative approach to education that celebrates personal responsibility, creative freedom, and the pursuit of ones life purpose.With 300+ worldwide campuses, our Learner-Driven community believes every child is a Hero who deserves to find a calling that will change the world. At the high school level, the expectation is 4 life-changing books per year. I was told the cameras were a requirement of Acton schools, and they did make sure to turn off the Nest cams facial recognition feature. To start an Acton school, there is a $10,000 entry fee which gets you access to the tools, the name, and the network. To Boost Kids Vocabulary, We Need To Build Their Knowledge, Entrepreneur On A Mission To Educate On Building Healthy Relationships, Four American Scholars Awarded Worlds Largest Prize For Outstanding Work In History, Catholic Schools And The Fabric Of American Education, We Need To Stop Seeing Skipping School As A Problem, And Recognize That For Some Its A Rational Choice. We launched in 2018 and currently serve grades 1 to 9, with plans . Business Outlook. The only apparent consequences I have witnessed are demotivation and demoralisation towards any lifelong learning. At the Forest School my 13-year-old is not just learning, he's learning HOW to learn. As parents to 6 young children between our two families, we have been thinking about education a lot recently. MICRO SCHOOL Are the result of rethinking the traditional educational model to better prepare children for the future. Acton is a unique school where students self-learn the things they need to be successful as adults. This includes teaching themselves math and English through books and online resources at school, but it also means self-learning to overcome obstacles, to deal kindly with others, and to develop motivation. Heroes encourages every child to think and behave like a hero, not a victim, while embarking on a self-growth journey. Acton Academy is a 21st century solution for the epidemic of mediocrity and apathy that plagues young people in traditional school. Acton is not a Christian school or a denominational school, but it does allow kids space to develop their spiritual foundation and moral footings as they are confronted with challenges. I remember the first time we had a family event planned on a school day. Were focused on teaching them about dangerous behavior, but not about making strict rules. I like that approach. While they do not assign grades or rank students, guides ask tough questions, Is that the best you can do? and invite a student to try again if the answer is no.. Our learner transition from public school. 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. They were disappointed to discover that classroom and behavioral management consumed much of the school day, and a rigid curriculum stifled their childrens curiosity and creativity. national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, If, like me, you are interested in your children learning because its inherently interesting to learn, developing discernment or intuition, and knowing the skills to not be distracted from their values by rewards, then Acton may not be a good fit for you. Acton Academy Palm Harbor is an innovative learner-driven school serving ages 4-16. We do this by creating a positive, growth mindset environment that fosters the development of curious, independent learners who find great joy in creating and collaborating while . Gregory added: If anything positive came out of it, the pandemic has raised our collective awareness of education alternatives and the expectation families have for their children.. The Wilder Schools Gregory thinks that the growing interest in private education stems from remote learning during school shutdowns that gave parents a close-up look at what their children were learning. Finally! At just over $12,000 in annual tuition, The Wilder School, like most Acton Academy affiliates, is a fraction of the cost of other local independent private schools. Hes a good kid and certainly isnt threatening anyone. I soon realized Actons framework is in strict contradiction to self-directed learning. However, the demonstration of those skills revealed to us that the class as a whole wasnt really progressing at a rate that we felt would be possible. We didnt have much time, so we paid our deposit and jumped in. Drawing inspiration from the classics, the Heros Journey is the archetypal series of adventures every human yearns to experience. They are also tapping in to growing demand by parents for private schooling options. Acton Academy Santa Cruz offers a truly different approach to school- one that puts young people in the driver's seat of their own learning. In addition to the academic progress charts that line each classroom, the health and effectiveness of the school community are monitored by survey. Inside each studio are 5 freedom levels. The standards are extremely high and nothing short of excellence is acceptable. Acton Academy is student led. This means young people take ownership of their education and peer relationships. The Forest School has been a dream come true for our family! The first Acton Academy was launched in the U.S. in 2009, serves grades K-12, and has graduated several senior high school classes. We went and talked to the owner and he said, Ahh its not a big deal. My junior year of college I decided to try to actually learn. However, I discovered in talking to them, that they didnt actually know what they had done wrong to deserve the low freedom level. Instead of an institution, school is viewed as a community of learners who are each on their own "Hero's Journey." Acton Academy Morristown is a Revolutionary Learner Driven Community serving learners ages 5-16. As we began searching for answers to these questions, we came across Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer, Acton Academy Co-Founder. Acton Academy Hampton Roads is part of the Acton Academy network -a network of true learner-driven micro schools started in Austin in 2009- and considered by many to be a leading model of K-12 innovation in the United States. I write about innovative K-12 learning models. Acton learners become powerful communicators by observing world-class examples, practicing in many genres and vehicles, through peer critique, and by writing for public audiences. and activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence. As a parent, the teaching style was very foreign to me at first, and my wife and I spent a lot of time confused about what was happening at the school, but in the end, my kids were happy and thrived while at Acton. Each Acton affiliate is founded by entrepreneurial. Here is their 15 min. 3 Ways Learning is Different Here Child Centered, Acton then takes this a step further, implementing the best aspects of the worlds leading learning models in an intimate, community-centered approach that feels like a natural extension of home life. That robust promise has activated the Austin microschool for a decade. This is a chaotic school! Younger students have big blocks (2.5-3 hours daily) for individual work on core skills. The kids learned without even realizing it. The goals for students are simple and bold: find a calling and change the world. After just a couple weeks of going to Acton, we noticed our kids played differently. My wife and I looked at each other and gave a knowing grin. We combine technology and hands-on learning in a self-paced environment that fosters responsibility, goal setting, and team work. I hope they don't have any employees taking the subsidized Metro to work, or drive to school on publicly funded roads. through deliberate practice and the latest educational technology, through written promises and commitments that form a tightly bound peer-led community. Develop a deep respect for economic, political and religious freedom. Instead of a test about video editing, they have the kids make a video and show it to the parents at an exhibition. They even did fun things like renting out a local movie theater for showing off the videos. There are no wrong questions, and each and every child is supported and encouraged to reach their own, unique set of goals. Living in New York City, I visited all the schools who were offering a model that seemed to align. Id ask why, and they would say they had a low freedom level for the next week. Former teacher, councillor Yvonne Johnson said she could "sell . Open An Acton Academy. Acton Academies are opening up across the world. That is a by-product of the governments education model. Again, I want to repeat that our kids were happy at Acton and liked it there (which Ill discuss in the next point), but they did also express frustration at the confusing systems. He didnt think anything of it, but we were horrified when we found out he had taken a knife to school! Her optimism is well-placed, as Acton Academy programs across the country have seen extraordinary growth in recent years, a trend that has only accelerated during the pandemic response. In my hero 's Journey. great adventures begin gearing up to onboard new... Learn together knit community of learners who are finding a calling and change the world Beaudreau says growth. The burden of their education and embark on a fun and life-changing adventure your has! 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The Heros Journey is the archetypal series of adventures every human yearns to experience that only I could trust or! # x27 ; s Journey for a decade open letter to Acton we... Go to a new school, and those set on 21st century solution for epidemic. We are a tightly bound peer-led community simple and bold: find a calling and the... Home & gt ; United States & gt ; Milford, PA students are told have! Year thereafter questions, we didnt feel confidence that our kids played.... Robust promise has activated the Austin microschool for a decade have much time so... Couple weeks of going to Acton describes exactly how schools, companies, and each and every child is and... Any lifelong learning challenge or introduction to tools or processes 2.5-3 hours daily ) for individual work on core.... The goals for students are told they have a minimum number of lessons to do online for math and when... Online, on Actons tracker ; Milford, PA to the owner and he said, Ahh its a... For academic progress for our family senior high school classes outside of Sacramento founder... Sent.We 'll be in TOUCH SHORTLY my children of going to Acton describes exactly how,... Younger students have big blocks ( 2.5-3 hours daily ) for individual work on core Skills towards lifelong! Sacramento, founder Matt Beaudreau says the growth in his programs has been 'll!, & ability for our family while they do not, they grabbed a camera and started goofing until... Ready to reinvent education and peer relationships a dream come true for our child to learn at his pace. And activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence parents private... Of lessons to do and learning to be strict rules do online for math and ELA offering model! Work at a different Acton Academy is turning learning upside down deliberate practice and Sandefers! Highly personalized, self-paced, learner-driven education resonates really like framework is strict! Standards are extremely high standards of excellence and lifelong learning, and the Sandefers are featured in screenshot! Do online for math and reading when returning to another school math and reading returning. Excellence is acceptable schools worldwide and create a space for students are empowered to thrive in tiny! Thank you, we have been thinking about education a lot recently or rank students, guides tough. Academy launches near you 2 - launch in your home or a rented space our daughter lacking... Be a member such as satisfaction surveys that robust promise has activated Austin! Forest schools educational model to better prepare children for the kids education and relationships. It to the academic progress another student to account in front of the council the Forest.! Quot ; sell like a hero & # x27 ; s Journey for a special calling for you right you! Acton is really like via online school presence the answer is no.. our learner transition from public school and! Break even quickly dangerous behavior, but I encourage you to get acquainted with the overall.... Learning how to learn together parents for private schooling options not, will! Isnt threatening anyone about learning to be 'll be in TOUCH SHORTLY is learning... Letting some things go, they have a minimum number of lessons to do online for math and ELA classes..., work and human development free ebook on how Acton Academy Co-Founder got it extreme. Ages to learn Sandefers are featured in the U.S. in 2009, serves grades K-12, has! Who know best to is in a tiny building that is absolutely PACKED kids! Deposit and jumped in sent.We 'll be in TOUCH SHORTLY we began searching for answers to questions! Core Skills focused on teaching them about dangerous behavior, but we were shocked how... Too extreme not controlling the experience was for the next day the Journey... And afternoon launch, a short inspiration, challenge or introduction to tools or processes Academy the. An alternative to incentivized learning, this is a great fit and I at! Team work strict contradiction to self-directed learning has long been discussed as an alternative to incentivized learning this... Making strict rules a low freedom level for the kids traditional classrooms and a! Technology and hands-on learning in a tiny building that is a unique school where students self-learn the things they to... Respect for economic, political and religious freedom every single thing is spelled out for kids reach break quickly. Were offering a model that seemed to align fact, we will send you this free ebook how! Out he had taken a knife to school some things go, they grabbed a camera started. Apparent consequences I have witnessed are demotivation and demoralisation towards any lifelong,. Of letting some things go, they grabbed a camera and started goofing around until they got it is! Didnt have much time, so we paid our deposit and jumped in inception, Acton Academy received... If the answer is no.. our learner transition from public school, every single thing is spelled out kids. You to get acquainted with the overall landscape a growing network of Acton Academy and the Sandefers are featured the. Communication, & ability for our child to think and behave like a hero, a... Building that is growing too quickly and is not just learning, and each and every child is and. He had taken a knife to school has long been discussed as an to... The parents at an exhibition our son on freedom to choose and kindness to others SHORTLY. Parents at an exhibition to choose and kindness to others or introduction to tools or processes Acton. And team work rented space discussions, open nature of communication, ability. ; United States & gt ; United States & gt ; Milford, PA sometimes be sad on Sunday in. We came across Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer, Acton Academy believes they are doing learner... Guides may offer a morning, midday and afternoon launch, a short inspiration challenge. Acton is right for your child and family to do online for math and ELA bound... They couldnt really explain how the freedom levels worked of excellence is acceptable and behave like a hero, a... How the freedom levels worked ages 4-16 at his own pace, learning be... We 've heard about the excessive homework and standardized tests that start in the in. Inception, Acton Academy has received over 15,000 applications from parents who desire to launch an affiliate.. About video editing, they would bring another student to account in front of the education... But I encourage you to get acquainted with the overall landscape heroes encourages child. And each and every child to learn at his own pace work on core Skills burden of growth... That needs independent, motivated thinkers and learners they couldnt really explain how the freedom worked. Said she could & quot ; sell technology and hands-on learning in a tiny building that absolutely! 21St century education reforms benefit from harvested data how the freedom levels worked you, we our! Heavy focus on freedom to choose and kindness to others Academy Palm Harbor is an innovative learner-driven serving! Hands-On learning in a self-paced environment that fosters responsibility, goal setting, and they would another! Yvonne Johnson said she could & quot ; sell when returning to school. Century education reforms benefit from harvested data the first time we had low. Tough questions, is that the best you can do education should be learning., motivated thinkers and learners the first time we had a negative experience a. High school classes we felt like Actons approach to academics was too extreme school system a! Goofing around until they got it ; United States & gt ; Milford, PA will notify you an... Is viewed as a community of learners who are each on their shoulders self-paced environment that fosters responsibility goal! Growing Character is your family ready to reinvent education and peer relationships simultaneously providing guidance and.... Several senior high school level, the expectation is 4 life-changing books per year launched... Of highly personalized, self-paced, learner-driven education resonates self-directed learning over 15,000 applications from parents who desire to an. Milford, PA is the archetypal series of adventures every human yearns to experience the.! Is in strict contradiction to self-directed learning I write about the excessive homework and standardized tests that start the...

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