Do you believe that learning to be and learning to do are more important than textbooks alone?
Our Learner Driven Communities are run mostly by our Eagles, where closely connected families of lifelong learners are bound by clear covenants; and “Learning to Do” and “Learning to Be” are even more important than “Learning to Know.”
LEARNING AT ACTON
LEARN TO LEARN
Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.
LEARN TO DO
Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.
LEARN TO BE
The Hero’s Journey, relational covenants and real world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.
Every year at Acton, we build small businesses from the ground-up.
21st CENTURY LEARNING
- The latest in educational technology for self paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.
- Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.
- Hands-on project based Quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world.
- Written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and honestly resolve interpersonal problems.
OUR PHILOSOPHY OF LEARNING
We believe that:
Clear thinking leads to good decisions,
Good decisions lead to the right habits,
The right habits lead to character and
Character becomes destiny.
A LEARNER DRIVEN COMMUNITY
- Students create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.
- Mentor teams encourage younger and older students to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.
- "Learn to Be" badges that celebrate character and completing leadership challenges.
MEASURING MASTERY
EARN BADGES TO PROVE YOU'VE MASTERED NEW SKILLS
Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions.
- Parents use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in "Learn to Be" Badges.
- Electronic and hard copy Portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.
- Public exhibitions at the end of most Quests allow young heroes to present work to experts, customers or the public for a real world test.
PERSONALIZED TOOLS
GET INSPIRED
