Acton Academy Columbus is accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS).

What is the IALDS?

The International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS) is an accreditation entity with a focus on schools with strong values, proven methodology and a commitment to continuous improvement. Supporting schools that serve the whole person, the IALDS is committed to finding a way for staff, parents, and students in its member schools to thrive in emotionally supportive and developmentally appropriate environments as they learn and grow.

What is the IALDS education model?

IALDS champions the notion that, while core subjects such as mathematics, science, history and language arts supported by the Common Core Standards and other regulatory and advisory bodies are of the utmost importance to traditional educators, we believe these subjects can be supplemented through other means to enhance critical thinking and promote 21st Century Skills.

IALDS supports most Common Core Standards but also advocates private schools that go beyond such measures in STEM and other specializations, providing the appropriate scaffolding from early learning to secondary education. We believe in empowering students to reach their full potential by providing equal access to all necessary resources, but leaving the chosen modality to the discretion of each individual institution.

Like all educational institutions, IALDS seeks to protect its member schools from unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy, while making concerted efforts to not inundate or create burdensome jargon for educators.

IALDS is honored to have granted accreditation to innovative schools serving gifted students in over twenty countries, helping leading institutions make learning more fulfilling for students, more efficient for educators, and more beneficial for the world.