Frequently Asked Questions

Acton is best for families who believe in:

• Self-driven, independent learning with guardrails
• Real-world experiences over standardized tests
• Fostering curiosity, resilience, and character
• Letting children take ownership of their education

If this excites you, we encourage you to apply and begin your child's Hero's Journey. If you're unsure, we strongly recommend you to read the short book Courage to Grow by Acton Co-founder Laura Sandefer and if the book deeply resonates with you, then you'll have your answer!

Instead of traditional teachers, we have Guides who coach and challenge learners. Guides ask Socratic questions rather than giving answers, helping young people develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Children take ownership of their education through self-paced, mastery-based learning, real-world projects, and collaborative discussions.

At Acton, we focus on intrinsic motivation by:

• Helping learners set personal goals
• Offering choice in how they learn and demonstrate mastery
• Creating a real-world purpose for learning through projects and apprenticeships
• Encouraging peer accountability and self-reflection

When given responsibility and freedom, most children find motivation from within, not from external rewards or pressure. If a child is struggling with motivation, we lead with empathy to figure out what mental or emotional hurdles are getting in the way.

Adult Guides in each studio are able to consistently track the progress of each child. Parents are also able to easily access progress through our proprietary online platform, Journey Tracker. If a child is falling behind, the Guide will engage the learner in a discussion to uncover what hurdles may be present. Our intimate microschool environment allows our Guides to give extra attention to those who need more guidance.

Yes! Acton learners develop real-world skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and self-management, which are skills colleges and employers highly value. Our graduates have been accepted into top universities around the world; they have also started businesses, traveled the world, or pursued meaningful careers without traditional college.

Acton is designed for independent, self-directed learners, which means parents are partners, not micromanagers in the journey. Families who thrive at Acton believe in:

• Giving children responsibility over their own learning while showing their children that they believe in their ability to overcome challenges
• Encouraging a growth mindset instead of focusing on grades. We provide parents with materials that can help them do this
• Attending end-of-session Exhibition Days and Parent meetings
• Reading the weekly email newsletter and communication
• Scheduling Portfolio Review meetings to review their child's progress (at least twice a year is recommended)

While we don't teach to the test, we offer standardized assessments once per year to provide families with a benchmark of progress. However, we prioritize real learning and problem-solving skills over memorization-based testing.

Starting in Explorer Studio, children explore careers through real-world apprenticeships. They identify their interests, reach out to professionals, and gain hands-on experience in fields they're passionate about. Apprenticeship can include:

• Shadowing entrepreneurs
• Assisting in medical research labs
• Working with artists, filmmakers, and engineers

This experience builds confidence, networks, and career clarity, which is something most traditional schools don't offer.