The Acton Academy Studio is designed to create flexible spaces for work, learning, and play. It is a tight-knit community of mixed-age children who support each other and collaborate daily. This environment fosters a culture of respect and much of the character development that occurs here.
Spark Studio
Ages 5 – 7
At Acton Academy, we believe that children are innately curious and naturally driven to learn. Our role is to guide children as they learn to live with healthy independence. Adults don’t teach directly but rather serve as guides and curators of an environment that allows children to teach themselves.
- Young heroes build the foundations of Reading, Goal Setting, and Independent Learning
- They start their journey towards mastery of tools, skills and character by working on acquiring small habits.
- Learners build the foundation for independent learning which prepares them to thrive in the Discovery Studio.
Discovery Studio
Ages 7 – 9
Today’s children will encounter a future vastly different from the world we know today. To prepare for—and thrive in—the world that lies ahead, they will need to know how to think critically, solve problems, and adapt to changes; they will need to know how to innovate, create, and collaborate; they will need to know what they are passionate about, what they are good at, and how they can combine those things to change the world. At Acton, we equip children for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
- Learners come together to learn core skills and develop life skills and character while having ample opportunities for collaboration, exploration, and free play.
- Learners use hands-on materials as well as adaptive technology to build a strong foundation of core skills.
- Our Quests and Socratic discussions put a strong emphasis on creative and critical thinking.
- Learn how to set goals, work collaboratively, and love learning, while also helping and being helped by their friends in the Studio.
Mission Studio
Ages 9 – 13
Acton students are increasingly self-directed. They set and achieve goals for themselves in math, reading, writing, economics, philosophy, political science, art and creativity, and more. Students learn that hard work, focus, and deep practice are required to master subjects. Acton students understand that high standards of excellence are expected of each student and the community.
Students learn by doing — they build and create, solve problems, and engage with the world. Students take on real-world challenges in the form of 4-6-week-long projects in which they use math, writing, physics, economics, civilizations, and more. In one project, students play the role of a doctor having to triage and accurately diagnose patients in the ER, where mistakes can be a matter of life and death. In another, learners explore robotics and the intersection of classical mechanics and programming. In another, students reenact the trial of Socrates, playing the roles of prosecutors, defendants, and members of the jury as they explore ancient Athens, philosophy, and morality. Learning at Acton is challenging and fun!
- Learners apply real-world skills in hands-on projects including apprenticeships each year with heroes in the community.
- As young people grow into adolescence, their impact multiplies. Now, projects have real clients, skills are developed with rigor, and discussions embrace a new maturity.
- The Mission Studio offers a higher level of freedom, as well as a safe place to test your limits, failing early, cheaply and often.
Launchpad
Ages 14-18
Launchpad is the final sequence of preparations to become a flourishing adult. As students advance in their abilities, independence and maturity, they will transition to challenges and leadership roles that will round out their skills and provide deep learning in areas of particular interest. While some students engage in self-paced AP classes, others might be building portfolios in preparation for college applications and job interviews. Although there are core skills that all students need to master, additional specialization in areas of particular interest is encouraged.
- Launchpadders get ready for real-world success by gaining valuable skills, mastering them through apprenticeships, and launching real startups, businesses and projects.
- Whether that’s in business, science, humanities, or the arts, apprenticeships and projects increase in length and complexity, according to the Launchpadders experience and learning journeys at Acton.
- By the time a young person leaves Launchpad they have a portfolio of real-world work to prove what they can do.
Acton Academy Fishers 