300+ schools · 30 countries

We didn't reform the old model. We built a new one.

A global network of learner-driven schools where young people are set free to find a calling that will change the world.

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300+
Campuses worldwide
30
Countries
42
U.S. States
9/10
Family satisfaction rating
Jake Thompson
Your Guide

Jake Thompson

Dear Parent,

We are just ordinary parents like you, who believe each of our children came to earth with unique gifts and passions that are theirs to nurture and grow. We long for them to discover who they are and craft a vision for themselves that will lead to meaning and purpose in a world full of distractions.

That's why when we discovered Acton Academy, we knew it was exactly what we wanted for our children. Instead of chasing grades or taking tests, young people at Acton were taking charge of their learning, focusing on what really matters:

  • Learning to Learn
  • Learning to Do
  • Learning to Be

That led us to doing what now more than 300 other parent entrepreneurs like us have done, bringing Acton Academy to our community.

Whether you decide to join, launch, or guide at an Acton, I hope this represents a pivotal moment for you, your family, your community, and the world.

All the best, Jake
Why Acton

Why Families Like Yours Are Choosing Acton

Learners thrive with ownership
Reason #1

Learners Thrive When Given Ownership

Self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily by learners who use 21st century skills to tackle real world projects, inspired by classic heroes in a tightly bound community with extremely high standards.

Learning by doing
Reason #2

Learning Happens Best by Doing

Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship, and the Arts prepare children for apprenticeships and real-world challenges.

Learning to Be
Reason #3

'Learning to Be' is the Most Important Learning of All

Grit, courage, and perseverance in the face of real challenges transforms learners as they discover how to use their gifts to serve others in a way that brings them deep joy.

Real Stories

From Owners, Learners & Families Across the Globe

"It was the year my husband and I decided that traditional education was failing our children. I didn't know exactly what I was going to do to fix that but I knew as a mom, I needed to figure it out. Someone introduced me to Acton Academy. I found a community of courageous, entrepreneurial, out of the box thinkers just like us. There was no going back."

Erin Decker
Erin Decker
Deep Creek Learning Center, An Acton Academy

"We didn't start Acton because we were educators. We started it because we were parents willing to act on what we believed our children needed. We arrived in Lahore, and within a month we opened. We broke even our first month. Today we serve over 150 learners across all studios."

A
Ali Faraz
Acton Academy Lahore, Pakistan

"If you had asked me ten years ago whether we would ever start a school, I would have laughed. We had no background in education. But my husband said, 'If this existed in Cleveland, we would absolutely send our kids there. We should start one.' Today, our children are thriving — and so are other families who found the school they were searching for."

N
Nancy Dadas
Co-Founder, Acton Academy Lakeside, Cleveland
3 Paths to Join Us

Traditional school
or the adventure of a lifetime?

1
Start an Acton Academy
Owner

Join hundreds of other parent-entrepreneurs who are transforming education for their family, community, and the world.

Start a School →
2
Become an Apprentice Guide
Guide

From apprentice to master guide, learn Acton from the inside, then lead or launch a campus of your own.

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3
Enroll My Child
Parent

Give your child the gift of curiosity, confidence, and character while preparing them for a bright future in the 21st century.

Find a School →
Matina Hunnell

"We started small, in my mom's home with 12 learners. Now in our seventh year with sixty learners and a new building. Launching this with my mom has been one of the most meaningful things I've ever done."

Matina Hunnell
Evergreen Academy, MI
See It for Yourself

What Learning Looks Like at Acton Academy

We didn't set out to fix the traditional model. We built something entirely new. This is what disruptive education looks like in practice.

Our Approach

Acton Academy is Disruptive

We didn't set out to fix the system. We built something entirely new.

Reform
Traditional School
Disrupt
Acton Academy
Who
○ Educators & administrators
● Entrepreneurs & parents
Approach
○ Improve existing systems
● Design from first principles
Speed
○ Slow and incremental
● Fast and experimental
Constraints
○ Policy, tradition, compliance
● Few to none
Mindset
○ Fix what exists
● Reimagine what's possible
What Drives Us

Mission & Learning Philosophy

Our Mission
To inspire each person who enters our doors to find a calling that will change the world.
Learning Philosophy
→ Clear thinking leads to good decisions.
→ Good decisions lead to the right habits.
→ The right habits forge character.
→ Character determines destiny.
Testimonials

What others are saying

Tom Vander Ark

Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world.

Tom Vander Ark
CEO of Getting Smart
Heather Staker
Heather
Author, Ready to Blend

The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE school.

Matt Greenfield
Matt
Rethink Education

I am confident that any randomly-selected ten-year-old from Acton would have succeeded instantly where at least some MIT graduates failed.

I
Isabella Bonifasi
Acton Graduate, Guatemala 2017

I was a straight-A student who didn't know how to think for herself. When my guide answered my question with another question, I was surprised. But that was the moment I understood I had the freedom to discover the answer for myself. It was liberating.

Frank Farro
Frank Farro
Acton Owner, New Bern NC

The things causing my siblings the most stress in school were never the things that actually made a difference in the real world. Success came from tenacity, curiosity, and courage to try a different path — not test scores or memorized information.

Sharon Chmura-Moore
Sharon Chmura-Moore
Acton Owner, Oshkosh WI

My daughter was four when she said, "I like both classes. But in my 4K class I have to sit and listen to learn. In my daycare class, I play and learn. I think I learn better when I play." I hadn't prompted her. She simply showed me what mattered.

K
Kristy Moody
Acton Owner, Palm Harbor FL

We opened with 22 learners, a $30,000 investment, and we've been profitable from the start. Now in year 4, we welcomed our 100th learner this January — in a building we purchased with our profits. I've never worked harder and had so much fun.

Courage to Grow book
Courage to Grow

Are you ready to turn learning upside down?

Courage to Grow is the intimate origin story of Acton Academy, one of today's most innovative schools with a model quickly spreading around the globe. If you have ever wondered if there are more powerful ways for young people to learn, step aboard for a behind the scenes tour of how Acton Academy unlocks the genius in every child, while embracing personal accountability and forging character.

Get Your Free Chapter

"THE must-have book for any parent or anyone else who cares about education."

Still curious?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Questions from others like you.

What is Acton Academy?

Acton Academy is a network of learner-driven schools where each young person is inspired to find a calling that will change the world. Each campus is independently owned by parent entrepreneurs and united by shared learning design and high standards of excellence.

How is Acton Academy different from traditional school?

Instead of lectures, grades, and constant adult direction, Acton emphasizes self-paced mastery, Socratic discussions, and hands-on quests. Learners set goals, manage their time, and learn to solve meaningful problems with increasing independence.

What does it cost to start an Acton Academy?

The cost to start an Acton Academy is a one-time $20,000 affiliate fee plus 4% royalties on annual revenue.

What ages does Acton Academy serve?

Most Acton Academies serve learners ages 4–18, typically across studios like Spark (ages 4–7), Elementary (ages 7–11), Middle School (ages 11–14), and Launchpad (ages 14–18). Age groupings vary by campus.

Is Acton Academy a private school or a homeschool?

Most Acton Academies operate as private schools or learning centers. Some campuses offer part-time or hybrid options. Families can contact their local campus to understand available enrollment models.

Do learners use technology at Acton Academy?

Yes—intentionally. Technology is used to support self-paced learning and prepare learners for the modern world. It is a tool, not a source of entertainment, and is carefully balanced with hands-on projects, writing, real books, collaboration, and play. On average, learners use technology 1–1.5 hours per day, with the youngest studios typically having no tech or upwards of 20 minutes.

What does "learner-driven" actually mean?

Learner-driven means learners take ownership of their learning and decisions—setting goals, tracking progress, collaborating with peers, and reflecting on growth—while guides design the environment, offering powerful questions and difficult challenges.

How does Acton measure learning without traditional grades?

Traditional schools primarily measure learning through grades and test scores. Acton Academy instead equips learners with tools to evaluate effort, mastery, and leadership, demonstrating progress through clear standards, skill tracking, portfolios, exhibitions, and real work.

Can I visit an Acton Academy near me?

Yes. Most campuses offer tours, information sessions, or audition days. You can find a campus near you and reach out directly to schedule a visit.

How are Acton Academies started?

Acton Academies are launched by mission-driven parent entrepreneurs who want a learner-driven school in their community. Each campus is locally owned and independently operated.

Matina Hunnell
An Owner's Story

Matina Hunnell

Evergreen Academy, Michigan

When my mom, Carole, and I first started exploring Acton, we did not see ourselves as "education entrepreneurs." We were just a mom and a grandma who loved kids, believed in their potential, and felt a growing ache that school could be so much more than worksheets, compliance, and checking boxes.

We weren't trying to be rebellious or trendy. We simply wanted something better, something that would help young people become capable, independent, kind, curious humans who know how to learn, think, and lead.

We started small, in my mom's home in the fall of 2019 with just 12 learners. Then we made it through Covid, and I can honestly say it convinced us more than ever that this model is agile and resilient, no matter what challenges life throws our way.

Fast forward to 2026 and we are now in our seventh year as a school with sixty learners across four studios, Spark to LaunchPad. Launching Evergreen Academy with my mom has been one of the most meaningful things I've ever done. We've watched young people take ownership of their learning, rise to challenges, build real confidence, and discover gifts they didn't even know they had.

On a personal level, this journey has grown our family in ways I never expected. Both of my kids have built and launched businesses through our business fair experience. Academically, my oldest daughter tested 13+ across every subject on the Iowa tests in her final year of middle school. But even more meaningful than scores is who she is becoming.

I've watched children with learning disabilities come in struggling, discouraged, and convinced they "aren't good at school." Then after sticking with the Acton way for a couple of years, something shifts. Their confidence grows. They start taking ownership. Their academic progress begins to take off, not because someone rescued them, but because they learned how to keep going.

If you hear that call to adventure, I want to encourage you to take the plunge. It may be one of the hardest things you ever do, and it will also be one of the most rewarding. You won't just be building a school -- you'll be stepping into a front-row seat of transformation. Not just for children, but for entire families.

-- Matina

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