What makes Acton different?

What makes Acton unique as a private school? We incorporate many parts of a Montessori and Reggio Emilia education. In addition, there are so many other aspects of Acton that turn learning upside down:

  • One-room schoolhouse

  • Project Based Learning

  • No homework

  • No grades

  • No report cards

  • No lectures

  • Blended learning

  • ESTEAM (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Education

  • Guides rather than teachers

  • Focus on the 4 Cs (Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity)

  • Montessori principles to build independent learners

  • Socratic discussions to develop critical thinking skills

  • Personalized, self-paced, mastery-based learning

All of the above approaches to education are designed to give learners exposure to real-life skills. The Acton holistic approach focusing on learning to be, learning to do, and learning to learn. This leads to a much more fulfilling Hero’s journey and carves a path where learners find joy in learning which leads to lifelong learning.

But what truly separates Acton is that we are a Learner-Driven school. Eagles drive their own learning vs. the traditional approach of Teacher / State led curriculum. What does that look like? It shows up in a lot of ways:

  • Eagles lead the morning discussion

  • Eagles set their own goals

  • Self-paced core skills

  • Peer-to-Peer learning

  • Studio governance:

    • Creating / abiding by a learner-generated contract

    • Eagles determine how studio maintenance gets complete

Learner-Driven education aligns with the research to raising a happy child.

If you are interested in learning more about Acton and our approach, please reach out or set up a time for a tour.

Varun Bhatia