Learning at Acton Academy Annapolis

A student-driven, self-paced program that mixes real-world projects with online learning and Socratic discussions in a multi-age classroom.

Welcome to
21st century Montessori

We challenge students to become the architects of their own education and "hero's journey".

Our learning experiences fall into five categories.

1. Core skills

In traditional schools, the entire class moves at the same pace. If a student learns quickly, they get bored. If a student struggles, they get left behind.

By leveraging the latest in educational technology, our students receive a tailored learning plan that keeps them engaged and ensures mastery of skills before moving forward.

In only about an hour of focused work per day, Acton students can progress through multiple grade levels in core subjects like math, reading, and writing – all without the need for homework. Yes, you read that correctly! 

Acton School Guide

2. Quests

Our students embark on immersive hands-on projects called 'quests' that span 4-6 weeks and tackle a variety of topics including science, coding and robotics, entrepreneurship, art, music, and history.

The public exhibition at the conclusion of every quest is like a real-world final exam that provides a tangible goal to work towards. The success or failure of the exhibition is completely left up to the students.

Acton School Guide
Example quest? Start a business!
Our entrepreneurship quest challenges students to launch their own business. The finale of their quest is launching their business at one-day marketplace called the Children's Business Fair. Watch the video to get a sense of what these young geniuses can do! 

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3. Character development

Every morning starts with a Socratic discussion. For example, we might watch a video clip on the vastness of the solar system and ask students: Did it make them feel insignificant or empowered? Why? 

These discussions about heroes, history, and self-governance hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write, and speak.

In addition, students are responsible for managing many aspects of the studio. They set personal goals and gain responsibility and freedom as they achieve them. They craft a studio contract to establish the promises and processes for how they work together, resolve conflicts, and build a tribe of learners. They manage a peer-to-peer accountability system that includes a student council and town hall.

Acton School Guide

4. Adventure trips

Our adventure trips are designed to expose students to the wonders of the world, inspiring future hobbies, careers, and connections with mentors.

Our adventure trips often relate to the theme of the current quest. For instance, during our gardening quest, we'll hop aboard the adventure van and journey to local farms, discovering new ideas that we can apply to our own projects.

Read more about our Adventure Trips.

Acton School Guide

Example adventures

Shipbuilding and Iron Forging
We got hands-on with iron forging and wood carving while learning about how ships are made.
Kids learning at Acton
Acton Campus in Austin
Kayaking on the Magothy
We explored the Magothy River and its abundant wildlife.
Girl in Acton Campus
Water Quality and Oysters
We learned how to test for water quality, use a seine net, and what's inside an oyster!
Catoctin Mountain Farm
We explored a unique farm where pigs live in the forest and forage for food!

5. Getting outside

We will be outside every day (weather permitting) and will be frequently taking the adventure van to local parks and hikes. Here's why:

  • 1

    Exercise is great for brain development.

  • 2

    Burning off energy allows for better focus in the classroom.

  • 3

    Improvement in your physical abilities (e.g. increasing the number of sit-ups you can do) is highly motivating.

  • 4

    Overcoming outdoor challenges provide an ideal arena to build self-confidence, teamwork, and resiliency.

  • 5

    Time in nature helps children refresh their ability to direct their attention, be more creative and civil, and improves their self-esteem.

  • 6

    Free play is crucial to a child's development.

Acton School Guide
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Learn to Learn

Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip young heroes to be independent lifelong learners.

Learn to Do

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

Learn to Be

The Hero’s Journey, relational covenants and real world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.

What motivates learning?

In traditional schools, the answer often boils down to "fear of receiving poor grades." Rarely do students in such environments respond with "I'm genuinely interested in learning." Instead, they often do the bare minimum required to achieve their desired grade.

What if they started with a profound question like "What is your calling?" and viewed their educational journey as a pathway to discover and reach their life goals? By emphasizing the concept of the "hero's journey" to find their calling, we tap into each student's intrinsic motivation to learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact in the world.

We also provide supplementary systems to motivate learning. Students earn points for their effort, unlocking rewards such as adventure trips, free time, and greater autonomy in managing their work.

What is the hero's journey?
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.
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With no grades, how do I know my child is progressing?

  • 1

    Three times a year our guide, the student, and the family will do a portfolio review to examine how the student is progressing. In addition, once a year our students will take a standardized test to provide a benchmark on progress.

  • 2

    Online dashboards in our personalized learning software provide students a simple way to share their progress with their parents.

  • 3

    Public exhibitions at the end of every quest provide families with an up-close look at classroom projects.

  • 4

    Self-management and self-governance skills are measured by peer reviews at the end of each session.

  • 5

    Parents are welcome to visit the studio and watch.

Acton School Guide
Every year, children build small businesses from the ground-up.
Watch the video to learn about our business fair.
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Example Adventure
At Acton Academy, learners embark on their own adventures, exploring their passions and pursuing their interests with the support of a community of peers and mentors. With each new challenge and opportunity, they develop the skills and mindset needed to thrive in the modern world, becoming confident, self-directed learners who are ready to make a positive impact.

Our Educational Philosophy

We believe clear thinking leads to good decisions, good decisions lead to the right habits, the right habits forge character, and character determines destiny.

Get Inspired

Explore videos and books for a deeper understanding of the Acton Academy philosophy and what inspired the creation of the Maryland Curiosity Lab.

Go to Resource Library

Our Promises

We promise through Socratic guiding and experiential learning to encourage each member of our community to:

  • 1

    Begin a Hero’s Journey,

  • 2

    Discover precious gifts and a commitment to mastery.

  • 3

    Become a curious, independent, life-long learner.

  • 4

    Embrace the forging of a strong character.

  • 5

    Cherish the arts, the physical world, and the mysteries of life.

  • 6

    Treasure economic, political, and religious freedom.

Acton School Guide

Our Beliefs

We believe clear thinking leads to good decisions, good decisions lead to the right habits, the right habits forge character, and character determines destiny.

  • 1

    We believe each person has a gift that can change the world in a profound way;

  • 2

    We believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.

  • 3

    We believe in a closely connected family of life-long learners.

  • 4

    We believe in economic, political, and religious freedom.

Acton School Guide

Begin your Family's Journey

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