MAY I VISIT CAMPUS OR GET A TOUR?

In order to protect the learning environment of our Eagles, we do not offer tours or have meetings on campus during learning hours. You are welcome to schedule a call HERE

WHAT GRADES DO YOU OFFER?

We serve 4K through middle school. Because of the advanced abilities of our graduating elementary school learners an audition process is required for middle school and high school.

IS THE ACTON ACADEMY A MONTESSORI SCHOOL?

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but, we are not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.

WHAT IS YOUR DAILY/YEARLY SCHEDULE?

We operate on a ten month calendar, but our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any learning.

Morning: 

• Every morning, we reconnect for a morning launch that sets the tone for the day. From there, learners set their S.M.A.R.T. goals and immediately work towards them during Core Skills. 

Afternoon: 

• After lunch, learners regroup in the studio for an afternoon launch and Quest time. During Quests, learners take on a series of learning challenges such as creating their own businesses, producing plays, developing applications and games, publishing books, and more. These hands-on projects give learners time to discover and develop their passions and unique skills. 

Rotating Enrichment: 

• Every afternoon, time is provided for either physical education, art, music or science. 

IS ACTON A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL?

We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike and expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization.

WHO WAS LORD ACTON?

Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At the Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A HERO'S JOURNEY?

We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.

Second only to our underlying belief that each child has unique genius within, the Hero’s Journey is the #1 element that defines an Acton learner driven community. When we use the word Hero, we are describing an ordinary person who gets back up after falling down. It’s someone who takes responsibility rather than blaming others when things get hard. A hero shares their inner gifts to meet the needs around them. We believe that every child has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests must be faced with integrity and purpose in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life Every Hero's Journey comes in 3 acts: 1. Separation: Where a call to adventure is received and the journey starts by entering the unknown. 2. Initiation & Transformation: Where every hero goes through a road of trials and faces the final showdown 3. The Return: Where every hero returns to the familiar having changed mentally, physically, or spiritually. Our learners set out on their hero's journey not to seek out a treasure, but to transform themselves with what they learn on their adventure. The Hero’s Journey affirms life as an adventure of self-discovery. 

WHAT IS AN "INDEPENDENT LEARNER" OR "LEARNER DRIVEN"?

Independent Learner: Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems—admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help — participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.

Learner Driven: If you are like most parents curious about an Acton Academy education for their children, you are more than likely "dissatisfied" with traditional school services as well as their monotonous mode of instruction. That is where a learner-driven private school that believes there are infinite approaches to education comes in.

Simply put, learner-driven is a term used to describe education programs in which children are responsible for deciding what to learn, the methods and materials they use, and, in some cases, how long they spend on a particular lesson. By now, I may have scared you into thinking we have a lord of the flies type scenario at our school, but the benefits of putting that level of control into the learners' hands are undeniable. First, children are naturally curious about the world around them. By allowing kids to explore, we're encouraging them to be lifelong learners and to take responsibility for their education. Exploration also helps children trust themselves, which develops confidence and a more positive self-image. Second, we are not worried about satisfying government requirements and ticking off boxes like a traditional school. Instead, we give learners a central role in deciding how they will spend their time, making them more aware of their personal interests, strengths, and weaknesses. Lastly, our goal is to recognize and amplify our learners' voice, choice, and ownership by respecting their questions and curiosities. It means giving the freedom for our learners to make choices so they may practice and develop their personal voice.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY A "RUNNING PARTNER"?

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.

WILL CHILDREN BE GROUPED INTO GRADES?

We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.

DOES ACTON SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN?

We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "EVERY CHILD CAN CHANGE THE WORLD"?

We believe each of our students will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people's day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child’s eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero's Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people's lives.

WHY DO YOU FOCUS ON TEACHING THE "AMERICAN EXPERIMENT"?

We believe in liberty and justice and the ideals of the American revolution as the cornerstones of civilization. In addition to experiential learning, we will study the American documents and the true meaning behind them, as we examine other cultures and forms of government.

WHAT IS THE ADMISSION PROCESS?

We are serious when we say "We don't enroll children into our school, we invite families to join us on our mission." You can find the entire admissions process HERE

WHAT IS YOUR TUITION?

Annual tuition is $5,130 for grades 4K through 5th grade, $6,300 for Middle School. A yearly registration fee of $375 is due upon registration. 

Need-based financial aid may be available for qualified families. “If you don't ask, you don't get it”. ― Mahatma Ghandhi

IS ACTON MIDWEST ACCREDITED?

Yes, Acton Midwest is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools.

WOULD MY CHILD BE ELIGIBLE FOR COLLEGE AFTER?

At Acton, our Hero's learn to be independent thinkers and self-starters. They find their calling through launching a business and learning practical, marketable skills. Acton graduates who apply to college are the ideal candidate as they display a level of responsibility, maturity and a diversity of experience that is rare among their peers. By the time a learner graduates he or she will potentially have run several businesses as well as completed many internships giving them a leg up on their competition. There are no limits for Acton graduates – they are ready to follow whatever path they choose. But how does a learner at a school with no grades apply for college? That's simple, they can either translate badges into a diploma and transcript identical to those issued by traditional high schools or they can present a rich portfolio of work and a fistful of reference letters from apprenticeships which is becoming the preferred approach by universities like Stanford and Harvard With all that said, our promise is to have our Hero's shine in the real world, whether they choose to go to college full time, part-time, or not at all. Many Acton graduates have had high paying jobs waiting for them as a result of the apprenticeships they acquired while in school.