A Day in the Life

A day in our Studios is creativity within constraints: large blocks of time for work and play with clear but broad guardrails, equipping young people to manage their time, set goals, and track progress. When we're not out on an adventure, we'll be following the schedule below.

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Daily Schedule

Each day is broken up into work sprints with a shared purpose or goal.

8:00
Drop-Off / Free Time
8:30
Daily Launch (Socratic Discussion)
8:45
Core Skills

Personalized learning in math, reading, and writing using the latest educational technology.

10:00
Drop Everything and Read
Read anything you want! 
11:00
Outdoor Play
We'll be either outside on-site or hitting up local parks and hikes.
12:00
Lunch / Free Time
12:30
Quest

Hands-on projects on a variety of topics: sciences, coding, entrepreneurship, art & music, and history.

2:45
Studio Maintenance
3:00
Closing Group (Socratic Discussion)
3:15
Pick-up

The schedule is flexible to accommodate different learning needs. Students can rearrange work blocks and choose from a variety of work options based on personal goals, passions, and commitments.

"Our son is excelling in his current learning environment. He is passionate about learning and has made strong friendships."

Parent at Acton Academy Austin
Elementary Studio

A Learner-Driven Community

Our young heroes learn in tightly bound communities with extremely high standards of excellence, where self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily.

  • 1

    Learners create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.

  • 2

    Running Partners and Squads encourage younger and older heroes to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.

  • 3

    Servant Leader badges celebrate warm-hearted and tough-minded decisions that build character.

Acton School Guide

Free play

Between longer school days, more homework, and an increasing number of after-school activities, most children have much less time for free play than in previous generations.

This is a major problem as free play provides the following developmental benefits:

  • 1

    Improved conflict management (just watch a group of children negotiating the rules of any game!)

  • 2

    Increased creativity, problem-solving skills, and resilience.

  • 3

    Experience learning about risk in a safe environment.

  • 4

    Time to discover their own interests, develop autonomy, and be more self-directed and motivated.

  • 5

    Reduced stress and anxiety.

Free play is incorporated throughout our program, including our daily outdoor time, adventure trips, and breaks.

Acton School Guide