We're located at 71 Caledonia Avenue, in the heart of downtown Nanaimo. Nestled on the quiet end of the terminus of Caledonia Ave, this idyllic location boasts nearly one acre of green space, mature oak trees, and is bordered on two sides by a gentle section of the Millstone River.

We are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools (IALDS). At this time we are not accredited within BC, however our application to meet the requirements to become certified as a Group 3 Independent School through the BC Ministry of Education and Childcare is in process for the academic year 2026-2027.

A Group 3 Independent School is inspected by the Ministry of Education every two years to ensure the school meets the legal requirements in the Independent School Act. Group 3 Independent Schools do not receive government funding and are not obligated to follow the BC curriculum, nor to hire BC Certified teachers. Curricular review is not part of the Ministry of Education and Child Care’s inspection process for Group 3 schools. This designation enables us to remain independent and innovative, and allows us to stay aligned with Acton’s stated mission: to guide young people to pursue their unique Hero's Journey, and to change the world in a profound way. Group 3 Schools are not permitted to offer the BC Graduation Certificate. For parents wanting additional information on this subject please contact us directly.

The Acton model serves children up to 18 years of age, however at this time we are able to accept children ages 5 to 12 years old.

Yes! We're able to offer a 3 day/week program for kindergarten aged learners for $700/month.

We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.

We do not use e-learning programs in our Spark Studio. It is a tech-free zone.

We believe in the power of balance. Using the incredible, self-paced eLearning tools now available, we are able to provide the rigor needed for learning math, vocabulary, spelling, and grammar in about 90 minutes each day, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based learning. The two are highly complementary.

Acton Academy Nanaimo is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that Jeff and Laura Sandefer helped create at the original Acton Academy campus. As an Acton affiliate we have access to their comprehensive selection of learning resources and lesson plans. We also engage in regular meetings with other Acton Academies worldwide to learn from each other's experiences.

Yes, we're able to offer an after-school program (from 3:15pm - 5pm) for an additional $10/day.

We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike. We expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical importance of religion to the development of society, but we are not a religious program.

We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been successful serving young heroes with dyslexia and mild ADHD.

Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems - admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help - participate in discussions, and strive for mastery. The guides are always present to offer support and Socratic questioning to assist learners as needed.

Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At the Acton Academy, we celebrate his defence of economic, political and religious freedom.

We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.

The cost is $8500 per year ($850 per month) plus a yearly registration fee of $500 per learner. We receive no government funding for this program.