Our Campus

Rooted in community. Internationally accredited.

Acton Academy Lanark is part of a growing network of more than a dozen Acton Academies across Canada and over 300 around the world. We’re proud to bring this learner-driven model—recognized internationally for its innovation and excellence—to our small rural community in Ontario. A small school with a big heart, we are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools (IALDS).

A place with deep roots.

Our campus is housed in a restored one-room schoolhouse built in the 1860s. It’s a place where generations have come to learn, and we’re honoured to carry that tradition forward with a fresh, 21st-century approach. Our learning extends far beyond our walls. Some examples include: skiing at Mount Pakenham in winter, getting involved with local sugar shacks in spring, and connecting with local entrepreneurs and the Carleton Place Chamber of Commerce as learners prepare for our annual Children’s Business Fair.

Time in nature is part of every day.

Our learners spend time outdoors every day—exploring the acres of property that surround our school, from apple trees and lilac bushes to a quiet pond perfect for discovery and reflection. We balance this with focused time indoors, using cutting-edge tools and self-paced programs for reading, writing, and math. Joy and rigour live side by side here.

We offer flexible options.

Families can choose from full-time or hybrid (3 days/week) options that fit their needs and rhythms.

We’re growing.

Today, we serve learners aged 7–12 in our Discovery Studio. In 2026, we’ll be expanding to include:

Spark Studio for ages 4–7

Explorer Studio for ages 12–15

A Launchpad Studio (our high school) will follow as our heroes grow.

What we’re about.

At Acton Lanark, curiosity, independence, and purpose guide every day. Learners embark on their own Hero’s Journey, discovering their unique gifts and developing the character, creativity, and grit to thrive. Learning happens through Socratic discussions, hands-on Quests, and rich outdoor and community experiences in entrepreneurship, art, science, and beyond.

Here, education is not something done to children—it’s an adventure they own. Read about what the learners in our Discovery Studio have been up to lately on our blog.