Principles of Education
We are all born curious. Think about those early days when your child was an infant and toddler. You’ll remember her learning to roll over, to sit, to grab for toys, to crawl. Everything was new and everything was exciting. The excitement continued to the toddler years when she learned to walk, talk, run, explore, and build things. But for so many kids, something happens after they start school - that curiosity dies in the classroom. Sitting at a desk and being lectured to all day while being forced to study kills the natural love to explore, discover and build.
As we decided to move forward and build an Acton Academy in Columbus, we laid out our Principles of Education and what we wanted for our own daughter and everyone that enrolls in the school. Our Principles, as it should be, is a live document. It can and will evolve as we continue to think about how best to keep alive a child’s natural curiosity and love of learning.
As you read through these, you will recognize that they are vastly different than how the traditional public school system has been. We don’t do this for the sake of being different. The 360 Academy Principles are backed by research and statistical studies.
Acton Academy Columbus - Principles of Education
Students must learn to learn, learn to do, and learn to be
Learn to Learn: The ability for students to acquire new knowledge, pursue and persist in learning and to organize one’s own learning through management of time and information is critical. Socratic Discussions and self-paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners. By acquiring learning habits, students will become lifelong learners.
Learn to Do: Knowledge is powerful and sticky when it can be applied in the real world. Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.
Learn to Be: Develop the habits of good character, such as hard work, integrity, courage, persistence & grit.
Learning is improved in learner-driven environments
A learner-centered environment sets students up to be the master of their own journey and to be independent thinking skills
Reading, Writing, and Math are critical core skills
The 4 Cs of education are essential for a 21st century education
Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity should be at the forefront of education
Students should be allowed to pursue their own interests
Standardization kills creativity
It is critical that schools nurture a Growth Mindset in students
No person’s ability is set – we can all get better
Growth mindset means every student can improve in every facet
We need to ensure that every child grows and we must care to cultivate the genius within each one of them.
Being wrong forces you to learn, to understand the correct way to do things, to not make the same mistakes over and over.
Learning is a reward. Schooling is not.
Focus on mastery
No Grades
No Tests
No Homework
Students are individuals who are at different stages and learn at their own pace
Individualized, personal instruction is key
Tying students to a desk hinders learning
The ability to maneuver the classroom builds engagement, confidence and a desire to self-learn.
Collaborative engagement is critical
Teamwork and being able to work together is critical in school and the real world
Knowledge is a commodity. Applying knowledge is essential.
Focus is not on pure memorization
Skill set to find the answers to questions and to apply those is key
Multi-age classrooms are optimal for learning
Multi-age classrooms reflect the real world and improves peer-to-peer learning and supports personalized learning
Studies show students in blended classrooms outperform those in traditional in-person classes
Self-learning and Peer-to-Peer learning are essential in today's collaborative world
Allowing students to dictate their own learning and learning from each other improves motivation and learning effectiveness
Education should focus on long term benefits, not short term results
Standardized exams are not indicators of future success. They incentivize students to focus on memorizing soon-to-be-forgotten material.
Outdoor time is critical - Research also indicates that learners who play outside are more likely to be happy, confident, and resilient, and they also have higher levels of self-esteem and self-control.