Agency is the New "Smart"
In a world where AI can write essays, solve math problems, and even analyze data faster than most adults, being smart no longer sets you apart. What matters most today—and even more so in the future—is agency: the ability to take initiative, make choices, and follow through.
At Acton Academy Columbus, this idea isn’t just a philosophy—it’s the heartbeat of everything we do.
What Is Agency?
Agency is the belief that you can act and that your actions matter.
It’s what separates those who wait for life to happen from those who shape it.
People with strong agency say, “I’ll figure it out,” and then they do. They take ownership of their learning, their relationships, and their challenges. They don’t rely on luck, teachers, or circumstances to dictate what happens next—they become the authors of their own story.
In short: high-agency learners don’t just play the game; they design the next level.
Why Agency Matters More Than Ever
Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator, said it best: “Intelligence is on tap now, so agency is even more important.”
When anyone can ask ChatGPT for information, knowing what to do with that information—and having the discipline to act on it—is what sets real heroes apart.
Recent reports from Fortune show that nearly 60% of college graduates from the past year are still looking for a job. The rise of automation and AI is reshaping industries faster than universities can adapt. Tasks once reserved for new hires—like writing reports, scheduling, or even coding—are now being handled by AI.
In this new landscape, employers are no longer just looking for “smart” candidates. They’re looking for self-starters—people who can identify problems, create value, and take initiative without waiting for direction.
This is exactly what we see at Acton Columbus every day. Our learners don’t passively receive information; they pursue it. They design experiments, build businesses, host exhibitions, lead community events, and learn to navigate real challenges.
Smart is easy.
Agency takes courage.
How We Build Agency at Acton Columbus
1. Choice and Ownership
From day one, learners choose their goals, projects, and the pace of their learning. Whether they’re mastering math through Khan Academy or designing a product for the Children’s Business Fair, they decide the path—and own the outcome.
2. Real-World Consequences
Every badge, exhibition, and studio contract at Acton mirrors the real world. Learners experience the impact of their actions—positive or negative—and reflect on what they could do differently next time. This is how responsibility becomes second nature.
3. Peer Accountability
Instead of adults managing every move, Eagles hold each other accountable. They run town meetings, set studio norms, and give TAG feedback (Tell something you liked, Ask a question, Give a suggestion). In doing so, they learn that leadership isn’t about control—it’s about service and follow-through.
4. Reflection and Goal Setting
Each week, Eagles pause to review their progress, set intentions, and ask hard questions:
What did I do well?
What’s holding me back?
What will I do differently next week?
This rhythm of reflection and action helps them develop the mindset of a lifelong learner—someone who can adapt, self-correct, and keep moving forward.
5. The Hero’s Journey
Every learner at Acton is on their own Hero’s Journey—a story of challenges, mentors, failures, and triumphs. By framing learning as a journey rather than a checklist, we shift the focus from compliance to purpose. Heroes don’t wait for permission—they step forward when called.
Smart Is Replaceable. Agency Is Not.
Artificial intelligence may outthink us, but it will never out-act us.
It can’t replace a child who takes initiative, solves problems with creativity, collaborates with empathy, and perseveres when things get hard.
At Acton Academy Columbus, we’re raising a generation that won’t just fit into the world—they’ll change it.
Because being smart is no longer enough.
Agency is the new smart.