Every day in an Acton studio ends with a circle. A moment of stillness, reflection, and often, something powerful: A learner stands and says,“I saw [name] help someone who was upset. I’d call that compassion.” And the whole tribe claps in unison. It’s called a Character Callout. A small ritual with a big purpose. At first glance, it may seem like a simple thank-you or a feel-good moment. But underneath, something much deeper is happening. A Culture of Gratitude and Recognitio

At Acton, we have a few core promises we make to our families. One of them is the promise that your child will cherish the arts, the wonders of the physical world, and the mysteries of life on Earth. This sounds wonderful, but what does it look like in practice? Jake Thompson, veteran Acton guide and owner, was pondering this promise recently and shared the following post throughout the network. It's a combination of his words and those of Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton

Hello, Acton Families! This week's post is a guest post from another Acton owner, who beautifully describes the Acton Conflict Resolution Process and shares a powerful example of how it played out one day on his campus. We've seen very similar scenes unfold here in our studios and can testify to the powerful, albeit uncomfortable at times, learning that happens in these moments. I hope you enjoy! One of the most overlooked — and sometimes most transformational — aspects of an

Our guides will tell you they often hear me muse, "What would Acton Austin have done?" .....I often find myself reflecting on the original Acton Academy in Austin, using it as my North Star and trying to stay as true to their mission and message as I possibly can. At the heart of their school was Laura, co-founder of Acton Academy, wife to Jeff, and mom to Charlie and Sam - the family who began of this movement that has changed lives the world over. This weekend, I found myse

At Acton Academy Nanaimo, we're all about turning the traditional education experience on its head, creating a space where curiosity leads the way and every day feels like an adventure. If you've peeked into our weekly updates or visited our campus, you've likely heard us refer to the children as "heroes". Today, let's unpack the Hero's Journey, a cornerstone of the Acton model, and explore how it shapes your child's educational path, plus why that simple shift in language ma

If you ask a child at Acton the difference between a teacher and a Guide, you’ll often hear: “Well… Guides don’t answer questions.” Not because they don’t care. But because they do. At Acton, we believe learning is something you earn. When someone gives you the answer, they rob you of that moment — the discovery, the courage, the ownership. That’s why every learner is taught a simple habit: Ask 3Bs Before G. Brain  – Try your best. Think it through. Re-read the directions. Bo

Here at Acton Academy Nanaimo, our days are filled with lively discussions, thoughtful questions, and those "aha!" moments that light up young minds. If you've ever wondered why our guides don't stand at the front lecturing but instead spark conversations that draw out ideas from the heroes themselves, you're tapping into one of our core tools: the Socratic method. Today, let's explore what this ancient-yet-timeless approach is, how it powers the Acton model, and why it's a g

One question we hear often is, "Is Acton a Montessori program?" When Jeff and Laura Sandefer set out to create a radically different education model for their children, they pulled inspiration from many sources; one of which was Maria Montessori and the timeless program she established all those years ago. Both their sons attended a Montessori preschool program and they had experienced first-hand the power in the Montessori method. While both models share a deep respect for t

If you've been tuning into our blog or visiting our campus, you know that at Acton Academy Nanaimo, we're not just about academics...we're about equipping young heroes with the mindset to conquer real-life challenges. This week, embracing the spirit of Halloween, we're diving into a fun yet profound part of the Acton model: the Three Monsters. These aren't spooky creatures under the bed, but metaphorical foes that every hero faces on their journey: the Monster of Distraction,

When you walk into one of our studios at Acton, you won’t see rows of desks facing a chalkboard or an adult standing at the front delivering a lecture. Instead, you’ll notice young people — our “Heroes” — immersed in their quests, setting goals, asking questions, collaborating, and creating. And you’ll see adults moving quietly through the space — not instructing, but observing, asking good questions, helping set up the environment, and then stepping back. There’s a reason we

At Acton, we believe that each young person is on a Hero’s Journey  - that deeply human story of setting out, encountering challenges, mastering skills, and returning transformed. One of the most visible ways we live that out is through the badge system: the moment when a learner earns a badge is not just about completing a task, it’s a visible marker of mastery , of readiness, of stepping fully into their capability. Contrast this with the all‑too‑common system of grades, te

When most of us hear the word assessment, we think of No. 2 pencils, Scantrons (make sure you fill the oval in completely!), and the...

If I had to guess, I would bet that for most of you, one of the first things you noticed about Acton’s learning design was that the...

We're shaking things up a bit this week and sharing a guest blog post, written by a committee of passionate veteran Acton owners and...

Jeff and Laura Sandefer named their small school in Austin, Texas after Lord Acton - a British historian, politician, and moralist who...

At Acton Academy, the first Session (6 weeks long) is dedicated to "Building the Tribe". What do we mean by this? Each person at Acton...

This Tuesday afternoon we gathered as a community for our Welcome Celebration - an annual tradition wherein families come back together...

In late August 2024, we met with our founding families on the steps of the studio for our Opening Ceremony; sharing the story of the...

We're winding down our first year here at Acton Academy Nanaimo, and these heroes dug deep this week to reach goals, complete work for...

This week I packed my bags and left our island on the west coast of Canada for Austin, Texas....the place where it all began.....The...