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

1. 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.

2. 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

3. Fundamentals are critical

   • Reading, Writing, and Math are critical core skills

4. 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

5. Students should be allowed to pursue their own interests

   • Standardization kills creativity

6. 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

7. Every child is a genius

   • We need to ensure that every child grows and we must care to cultivate the genius within each one of them.

8. Failure is the key to success

   • Being wrong forces you to learn, to understand the correct way to do things, to not make the same mistakes over and over.

9. Learning is a reward. Schooling is not.

   • Focus on mastery

   • No Grades

   • No Tests

   • No Homework

10. Students are individuals who are at different stages and learn at their own pace

    • Individualized, personal instruction is key

11. Tying students to a desk hinders learning

    • The ability to maneuver the classroom builds engagement, confidence and a desire to self-learn.

12. Collaborative engagement is critical

    • Teamwork and being able to work together is critical in school and the real world

13. 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

14. Multi-age classrooms are optimal for learning

    • Multi-age classrooms reflect the real world and improves peer-to-peer learning and supports personalized learning

15. Blended learning is effective

    • Studies show students in blended classrooms outperform those in traditional in-person classes

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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.