Our Studios

For ages 5-7 | Launching Fall of 2026

The Trailhead Studio

Building the foundation through outdoor adventure

Trailhead is the beginning of the journey for our youngest learners. It is built around three ingredients: nature as a main learning environment, hands-on Montessori materials for reading, writing, and mathematics, and a learner-driven culture where children begin practicing ownership, care, and independence. Read more about our newest studio.

  • Nature as classroom: outdoor time is not an add-on; it is a primary learning environment.
  • Hands-on materials: reading, writing, and math are grounded in tactile, concrete Montessori materials.
  • Phonics-first reading: phonics and phonemic awareness with Waseca materials and daily read-alouds.
  • Early ownership: learners care for their studio, solve problems, make choices, and begin discovering their own path.

For ages 8-12 | Launched Fall of 2023

The Foothills Studio

Accomplish important work and play well with others

In our Foothills Studio, the up-and-down terrain means real successes and real failures—and through both, learners build the muscles for the climbs ahead: setting goals and staying focused, exploring their interests, and resolving conflicts with respect. Our Foothills Studio is like a close-knit neighborhood where learners tackle important work, solve problems, collaborate with peers, and engage in increasingly challenging games.

Foothills learners:

  • Ask great questions.
  • Have fun and welcome others.
  • Set and track goals.
  • Build mastery in math, reading, writing, and Civilization.
  • Develop a love of learning through hands-on project-based learning.

For ages 10-15 | Launched Fall of 2024

The Ascent Studio

Learn to work hard

Welcome to the climb: the Ascent Studio tackles longer routes, heavier packs, and real-world challenges that demand grit, clear thinking, and teamwork. Our Ascent learners tackle complex computational challenges, communicate clearly and persuasively, and develop the passion and real-world skills needed to make a difference in the world.  

Ascent learners:

  • Master core skills (reading, writing, and math) through the latest technology.
  • Develop critical thinking and an appreciation for heroes and history through Socratic discussions.
  • Dive deeply into biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance, and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
  • Prepare for the real world through challenging apprenticeships.

For ages 14-18 | Launching Fall of 2026

The Launchpad Studio

Committing to a Next Great Adventure

The climb continues—but now you’re also exploring what you're next mountain will be — what we call your Next Great Adventure. Launchpad is where learners prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, whether the next step is a selective college, launching their own business, or a first job at SpaceX or Google. Extraordinary young leaders spend time doing something they love to do; inspired by world class coaches and experts; having fun with friends as they create lifelong memories.

Launchpad heroes:

  • Prepare for the adult world through challenging apprenticeships
  • Read deep literature; communicate clearly and powerfully; and tackle real world computational challenges.
  • Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance.
  • Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance, and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
  • Serve in leadership roles in lower studios, their community, and around the world in the Acton Network.

We believe that learning to do, learning to be, and learning to learn are more important than memorization.