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...