For the past year and a half we have been homeschooling our children, which has been, and continues to be, a wonderful journey. We love the quests, Socratic discussions, open nature of communication, & ability for our child to learn at his own pace. Find out what works well at Acton Academy from the people who know best. It is completely a liberal school, where Acton academies are not to have political affiliation. 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. Open Your Own Acton Academy within a year from today. Acton promotes authentic relationships through written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community around four character traits: Acton learners hold themselves accountable with public exhibitions at the end of each quest and a portfolio of quality work. Drawing inspiration from the classics, the Heros Journey is the archetypal series of adventures every human yearns to experience. There are no wrong questions, and each and every child is supported and encouraged to reach their own, unique set of goals. The Forest School gives its students an experience that they wont get anywhere else. At The Wilder School, that work currently involves participating in an interactive lesson on colonial America, as well as developing a sales pitch for which type of classroom pet to adopt. 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. 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. Literally, the adults step back and the students take on the roles of running the school. This principle extends to allowing students to determine discipline issues of their classmates. We aim to create a positive, growth mindset environment in order to develop curious, independent students who find great joy in creating, learning, and collaborating in a tight knit community while discovering their own personal gifts and talents. The first Acton Academy was launched in the U.S. in 2009, serves grades K-12, and has graduated several senior high school classes. 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. The schools in those areas will immediately start populating below. My wife and I looked at each other and gave a knowing grin. In a surprising turn of events, the youngest team took first place, giving us all a few lessons on competition, profitability, creativity and great sportsmanship! Acton students are told they have a minimum number of lessons to do online for math and ELA. I hope they don't have any employees taking the subsidized Metro to work, or drive to school on publicly funded roads. This was my first red flag, and so I emailed the owners. We support every student to complete . Even if the incentive is not as powerful as the intrinsic motivation-what is being taught by the incentive is the value of following the path that an authority said is right and good and not learning to experience intrinsic motivation and its inherent outcomes. through deliberate practice and the latest educational technology, through written promises and commitments that form a tightly bound peer-led community. Acton students learn to think independently, take responsibility and embrace challenge. Schedule a Tour WHAT PARENTS LOVE ABOUT ACTON. I remember the first time we had a family event planned on a school day. At the high school level, the expectation is 4 life-changing books per year. Welcome to Acton CE Primary Academy. that helps learners explore what it means to be a hero and focuses attention for the year. We all attended public school, currently live in a great school district, and have confidence that our children would do fine in that setting. These are all things we can do within our existing systems. He is also a fan of for-profit education and has influenced education in Texas to this end. and activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence. For example, kids that work for months and still have no idea how to actually GET a badge. Just waiting for the kid to finally say enough is enough and jump in. In addition to the academic progress charts that line each classroom, the health and effectiveness of the school community are monitored by survey. On the lowest level a student has to sit in an assigned seat, cannot snack, and must get a minimum amount of work done. Beaudreau expects this number to nearly double over the next year, and with full-time annual tuition around $10,000, Acton Placer is more accessible than other area private schools. She joins Acton Academy with her two daughters, Camille and Ambrose. 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 are searching for a Guide to begin mid-August 2020, and be a part of our team through the 2020-2021 school year. They didnt want to make a Youtube video and ask me how. Acton is a network of schools (around 80 listed on their site) based out of Austin, TX. Acton is a unique school where students self-learn the things they need to be successful as adults. We've heard about the excessive homework and standardized tests that start in the early elementary years. We have seen creative sides of our learner since moving to the The Forest that we did not see while in public school. Our son is thriving in this learning environment, where kids are encouraged to think outside the box, are allowed to move around as needed, and can have a say in their learning. Acton's primary model, what they are most known for,is that learners are completely independent with only rare interventions from adults. We believe it is the most nurturing, deep . A growth mindset is open to constructive criticism, knowing that it gives an opportunity for improvement. Thank you. The cognitive and social-emotional data gathered by education (surveillance) systems will be used by artificial intelligence to decide which workers have the chance to put their brain in a robot for a day. We decided to homeschool with the support of a self-directed learning community. They dont have to sit down and shut up like at public school. After spending a year at home, we found Acton Academy, which we feel so lucky to have . Acton Academy is dedicated to inspiring each child to see life as a Hero's Journey, where someone with curiosity and character can find a 'calling', using his or her most precious gifts, in a way that brings great joy, to solve a deep burning need in the world. We encourage our students to develop personal virtues such as honesty, hard work, responsibility, kindness and empathy. We cant build schools fast enough, he told me, adding that he is already outgrowing the buildings in his three locations which currently serve more than 300 learners, ages four to 18. "The Acton community and life experience provide our son the best possible environment in which to develop. Some kids can earn bucks at a much faster rate, and others can be highly stressed. It asks you to upload screenshots of proof, and answer questions about topics. We are all very proud of our wonderful school, ensuring that we provide a curriculum that upholds our strong vision and values that every child achieves and succeeds. archive.is. From the Socratic discussions, to the constant feedback that the learners receive from their peers and Guides, to the deep learning that they're able to do on subjects that they actually care about, TFS has it figured out! The cost effective model has the potential to deliver more powerful learning experiences than traditional private education. For Gregory, the chance to build a school from scratch that connects to a vision she believes in was enticing. If they succeed, they will earn a badge and will get paid bucks. We were so disappointed that it was NOTHING like the atmosphere or culture of the Acton wed experience in Boise (which was awesome). The owner didnt seem committed at all to the educational experience, but instead seemed much more interested in the bottom line. . A school that "gets it"! Through this, they have begun to question why school remains so similar to their own experience and how this format will prepare their children for jobs that have yet to be created, spurring droves of families to depart the public school system in search of more effective, flexible alternatives, she said. This rewards those who learn well online. Instead, they focus on progress that is demonstrable through learning new skills. MICRO SCHOOL Are the result of rethinking the traditional educational model to better prepare children for the future. The environment is conducive to learners being able to develop an enthusiastic and intrinsically motivated desire to learn. Threshold Studio. Issue Areas Include Education Location 3355 State Road 13, Saint Johns, FL 32259, United States Join Idealist Acton Academies are opening up across the world. Each Acton affiliate is founded by entrepreneurial. When I found it, I was intrigued. They would sometimes be sad on Sunday nights in anticipating school the next day. We believe students learn by doing. 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. Acton Academy uses the latest technology in a self-paced learning environment designed to foster responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. Former teacher, councillor Yvonne Johnson said she could "sell . My children were doing okay in a public school but often coming home sad, discouraged, and frustrated. The push for growth coupled with that for-profit nature are particularly a reason for pause. The goals for students are simple and bold: find a calling and change the world. He is inspired every day by the guides and fellow heroes to find answers and then share out loud HOW he found those answers. That robust promise has activated the Austin microschool for a decade. 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. There is a website, called Journey Tracker, where the kids have their progress reported to parents. Its HUGE (like Texas). The schools in those areas will immediately start populating below. Most of all, our kids didnt really care about the exhibitions and it didnt matter to them if we showed up, because it wasnt really work they were super proud of. Acton Academy is a 21st century solution for the epidemic of mediocrity and apathy that plagues young people in traditional school. Every Acton Placer campus facilitates a powerful feeling of community and benefits everyone within Acton and beyond. The Acton Institute for the Study of Religion and Liberty is an ecumenical, nonprofit research organization that promotes the benefits of free enterprise to religious communities, business people, students and educators. Acton Academy uses the latest technology in a self-paced learning environment designed to foster responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. We believe that each learner who enters our doors is a hero destined to change the world. Some of Acton Placers continued growth is due to parents seeking schooling alternatives after nearly two years of frustration with closed schools and ongoing coronavirus policies. Between the non-traditional learning styles, the administration, and the staff, the school is a breeding place for independent, aware, and prepared citizens of the world. Acton students are empowered to thrive in a world that needs independent, motivated thinkers and learners. Purposeful education that is both student-centered and character-based. My children were offered engaging learning opportunities and were supported through the learning process. Gather and share weekly customer satisfaction surveys to ensure we deliver on our promises to families. I highly recommend The Forest School! After reading, learners lead a Between the Lines literary critique. A book was written about the story of Acton by one of the founders if you want to get the really deep story. 3 Ways Learning is Different Here Child Centered, Students at Acton Academy prepare for the challenges, opportunities, and adventures of the real [+] world through an individual Hero's Journey. Subject: Acton Academy. We feel that a little adult mentoring could have produced a result that the kids would be proud of. My other sons teachers had previously said that other kids would get off track and go ask him for help because he was so engaged. In my quest to understand the best models nationally for potential use here in Kentucky in our public schools, I've come across Acton Academy. Our own public school kids should be enjoying quests driven by their own world-changing passions. 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. Acton Academy Columbus is a secular, private, project-based learner-driven elementary school. Thank you. However, we also learned that not all Acton Academy locations achieve the same high standards. Acton learners earn Servant Leader Badges that celebrate the development of heroic character and signify earned freedom and responsibility. What they are doing with learner independence is something very unique and laudatory. Both kids focused on ways to easily get the bucks (which did not provide any new or challenging learning) and then would just do as little work they could get away with on everything else. Real World Skills Self-Paced Learning Growing Character Is your family ready to reinvent education and embark on a fun and life-changing adventure? We are so impressed with his ownership of his academics and personal responsibility. Jeff Sandefers fortune came from oil drilling. Launch Pad (high school) learners could earn a badge when they lead a campuswide improvement project. Acton Academy admits learners and affiliates of any race, color, They didnt like students always picking at each other. This exchange hones students critical thinking skills. Your message has been sent.We'll BE IN TOUCH SHORTLY. However, the network fees, the small school nature, and their mission (including the for-profit part) are poor fits for our public schools. Heroes encourages every child to think and behave like a hero, not a victim, while embarking on a self-growth journey. Because Acton allows each location to set their own prices, the tuition cost varies drastically. Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners. Acton says these reviews are meant to normalize feedback. The first location we attended was wonderful. We believe the learning experience is much richer when the Guide offers insightful questions and facilitates hands-on learning. I have an open letter I wrote asking Acton about their knowledge of or connection to the agenda. There were instances of kids lighting things on fire, looking up girls skirts, throwing garbage everywhere, and disrespect to children and adults. Will this approach adequately prepare our children for a successful, fulfilling life in the 21st century? WHY WE ARE STARTING AN ACTON ACADEMY. Acton Academy admits learners and affiliates of any race, color, team is gearing up to onboard 150 new schools each year thereafter. We like that Acton doesnt only focus on testing, but also shows progress through demonstrable skills. Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students and Affiliates. And at the end of a learning cycle, my elementary aged kids could present what they learned in meaningful ways. Per Acton tradition, Eagles are putting their big-picture thinking, project management skills, and team building into practice by planning and organizing a Lip Dub (plus, it's lots of fun)! The Forest School is a great alternative to traditional schools. And at his own pace. A fantastic GPA didnt provide me with the skills for self-motivation, or curiosity, as I had been guided by getting the grades. The global attraction has been the Acton belief that each person has a gift that can change the world in a profound way and a learning model focused on learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be. The exact same system of learning is happening here in the M.E. Guest Post: Our Acton Academy Experience Surveillance, Incentives, Behaviorism, Freedom Levels, and EdTech, Smart Cities, the Transhumanist Game and Lifelong Learning, Click on Image Below to Download Free Dandelion images, Site Visit to Palantirs New Denver Headquarters. Their confidence improved. We believe students learn by doing.Whether it's launching a startup business, creating a tidepool habitat, playing a musical instrument . If they do not, they will lose a buck each week for not completing the minimum. Owners gain access to detailed guidebooks and over 20,000 pages of learning challenges. So they would sometimes be frustrated, but didnt feel that the teacher would help them to figure it out. They talk to a few students, and get confusing and contradictory instructions. I want to end with a positive so that it is clear that we were very happy with Acton. CEO Approval. From my review, this heavily online platform reliance probably concerns me the most. 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 . You empower kids to an unparalleled degree. I like that a lot. Typically I read a syllabus to look for the path of least resistance towards my A. I quickly realized I didnt know how to learn. new Acton Academy starting in Nashville TN, KYStats: High School Feedback Reports Getting Better, Linda Darling Hammond on Equity and Deeper Learning, Lessig on Code is Law & Regulation Mechanisms, PBL Video from both kid and adult perspective, Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Owners enroll their own children and pay a $15,000 fee and 3% of ongoing revenue. Its precisely this decentralization of power and emphasis on self-directed learning and goal-setting that led Heidi Ross to enroll her 11-year-old son in an Acton Academy in San Diego. Acton Academy Seacoast uses the latest technology in a self-paced learning environment that is designed to foster responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. Acton locations are launching at a staggering pace. In my opinion, the public school system sets a very low bar for academic progress. After adding 50 new schools this fall, the tiny Acton Academy team is gearing up to onboard 150 new schools each year thereafter. Serious commitments, genuine relationships, authentic accountability. Like other networks, there are requirements to be a member such as satisfaction surveys. Instead, this letter is to share what I have noticed at our Acton school, and describe the responses I have received from the founders of Acton and owners of our school, as I have asked about their intention, methodology, and safeguards. Their "quests" are their projects and the students are encouraged to take on quests in which they try to change the world in their own ways. After leaving the University of Texas Austin, Sandefer launched his own private business school, interestingly enough with Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson as a partner. In fact, we were shocked at how poor the experience was for the kids. Great school that is allowing our middle school son to thrive. The self-directed learning environment has been a game-changer for our 9 year old son. A guides role is to model behavior that leads to self-directed learning. 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. Were focused on teaching them about dangerous behavior, but not about making strict rules. I like that approach. Knowledge is power. None of your business! Schedule a Meeting. We focus on Montessori-inspired and real-world experiences for our students, in a way that encourages them to take full ownership of their education. We just opened enrollment for 2022-2023 for ages 4-16 and have extremely limited space available in our Elementary and Spark Studios. This year, he was not engaged, did not want to do the assignments, though he made several attempts to self-advocate. If they do not, they will lose a buck each week for not completing the minimum. I can best illustrate this with a short story. To start an Acton school, there is a $10,000 entry fee which gets you access to the tools, the name, and the network. They are small, private institutions where students are empowered to personalize their own educations and are held accountable for their own progress. Not joking. We felt like Actons approach to academics was too extreme. First in Asia, Acton Academy KL is an innovative Preschool through to High-School launched in 2016. Each Acton Academy affiliate is free to create its own structure, school culture and procedures, while staying true to the overall Acton educational philosophy. Instead of any learning taking place, students are simply focused on completion. As Acton repeated to me several times this year; there are many schools that would be a better fit if you do not want your kids to be under constant surveillance, incentivized for compliance to complete basic tasks or behaviors, or harvested for data. One of the best arranged daily programs of work I have seen for a school of seven grades called for thirty-three class exercises per day. Our nine year old is happy and thriving! I love the mission of Acton Academy. 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 It should be removed from the Acton title. Acton can be far superior to public school, but there are (significant) drawbacks as well that you should weigh. Another example is something we saw with our own kids. I love that each child can work at their own pace and that the traditional school performance pressure is gone as our kids control how fast or slow they go but the school structure creates enough positive reinforcement to make them want to do well and soar! The next big red flag was the 360 reviews that kids were asked to fill out at the end of every session on the Acton tracker. Studios replace traditional classrooms and create a space for students of varying ages to learn together. Acton parents and students are asked to sign contracts before they begin, outlining the expectations of the school. A limited liability company headquartered in St. George, Utah, an A++ location in Boise, Idaho (Heroes Academy), We have written about the average tuition cost at Acton, Acton is not a Christian school or a denominational school, My three kids attended an Acton Academy at different ages, We came to know two different Acton Academies in two different states, A family member went through the training to become an Acton owner and told us what things are like from the owner side, We have extensively studied Acton Academys teaching model and, of course, read the book. reading, writing and math. Guides may provide coaching on the energy or intentionality of learning in the studio. Get inspired by the students, parents, and cofounders of Acton Academy of Washington, DC and hear what they love about Acton! As of 2022, there are 200+ approved affiliates on 6 continents worldwide. Learners can also design their own courses based on topics they are interested in exploring. Hes also met some really great challenges and been successful in increasing math and readingthe core skills they have at Acton. Launched by Jeff and Laura Sandefer out of frustration about educational options for their own children, Acton Academy is now the flagship of a global school network with more than 185 owner partners in 30 states and 20 countries. Our whole family was in tears in our living room as we discussed it. national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, They were happy and challenged and built valuable skills. They are given a space to write a sentence of evidence for their rating, and then are given space to write stars for things they like about the person, and wishes for what they wish that person would change. Acton Academy East Bay joins a growing network of Acton Academy Schools worldwide. Right from the start, we noticed that Acton tends to keep parents at arms length. Success is not about completing worksheets or memorizing facts to pass a test. We have written about the average tuition cost at Acton, so check that out for more info. Acton Academy: San Diego East. However, at Acton, our kids fell behind even the public school over the course of two years. Each year, the Acton community shares an overarching question (e.g., what does it mean to be human; is truth discovered or created?) Gregory has ambitious plans for the growth of The Wilder School in the coming months and years, including expanding her classroom space and introducing early childhood and middle school programs. Instead of an institution, school is viewed as a community of learners who are each on their own "Hero's Journey." We had pretty high standards for schooling our kids and TFS has met all of them. Teaching by lecturing or issuing instructions is not allowed at Acton. Acton Academy Concord is an innovative K-8 school in Concord, California with learner-driven technology, Socratic discussions, hands on projects and real world apprenticeships. Loud and hard to get any work done. Acton students are empowered to thrive in a world that needs independent, motivated thinkers and learners. We found that this turned the kids against each other. It describes life at Acton where learners prepare for the challenges, opportunities, and adventures of the real world. Let's embrace more independence in our learners and more entrepreneurism in our leaders. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . It was helpful, but we still felt like communication was poor. When a student breaks a rule, a classmate can request a buck from misbehaving student. We are extremely thankful for such a creative and welcoming environment! HOW LONG IS ACTON ACADEMY IN SESSION THIS YEAR? For Gregorys two children, ages seven and nine, who are the initial students in The Wilder School, math goals involve completing several units each week using Khan Academy, the free, online learning platform that is used in many schools and homeschools across the country. Should you wish to pay a full year or full semester, a discount will be applied. Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale is a non-traditional K-12 private/alternative school based in Fort Lauderdale and with a sister school in Prague. The start-up was not just a school, but also an education technology company looking to create a personalized learning product to sell. It made things unnecessarily contentious. The ed-tech company closed all the schools after a few years and kept the tech product in creation. After just a couple weeks of going to Acton, we noticed our kids played differently. Acton learners practice critical thinking and powerful writing and speaking through deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history, and self-governance. We will notify you when an Acton Academy launches near you. Actons website said all of the things we had loved before: self-directed, real world experiences, learner-driven, small classes, guides not teachers, etc. Whether its launching a startup business, creating a tide-pool habitat, playing a musical instrument, painting a mosaic, or programming a robot, Acton students are building real-life skills in the studio every day. Armed with purpose and good character, we believe our students will launch into adulthood prepared to find their calling and change the world. Begin a Hero's Journey. The Forest School has been a dream come true for our family! I cant emphasize enough how big of a difference there is between locations. Acton Academy Claimed 2201 Alexander Avenue, Austin, TX 78722 Contact info Website Private schools are not rated 7 reviews Private school ? 1 - Start up costs as low as $65,000 including initiation fees. 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. Do you wonder if Acton is right for your child and family? Acton Academy has no teachers, only guides. Sending your child to TFS is the best give you can give them and our future society. The exhibition on entrepreneurship was an amazing success! 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