This is the fifth in a series of posts explaining the Acton Academy Principles of Education.

Education Principle #5: Students should be allowed to pursue their own interests

Every child is unique. Of course, that's nothing new - we all know that. So why do we make every child's curriculum the same?

Another way to ask this - Is your child average? No, of course not. Sure, their understanding of a particular topic may be in line with other kids her age but there will be other areas she excels at. The cumulative effect of this is that no child is the same and no child is average. So, again, why do we make every child's curriculum the same?

Think back to your early K-5 days at the beginning of each school year. What do you remember?

For me, I remember the excitement of a new year - shopping for school supplies, the anticipation of seeing friends and doing well in school.

I also remember that excitement dissipating after a few weeks. The excitement was overtaken by having to wake up early in the morning and going to classes I found boring. I remember my anticipation for walking into school soon was overtaken by my excitement for the end of each day.

It's possible I was getting a lack of sleep. It's also very likely that I was bored. I remember loving math and geography. I also remember really disliking my music class because I had no interest in singing.

Such is the case with millions of students. They follow the same curriculum regardless of their interests. What if we allow students to learn pursue their interests. What if I could have learned more about geography. Would I have extended my interests into travel, topography, history, travel, climate change, etc? Where would my interests have led me if I was able to pursue my love for math - statistics, physics, space science, architectural engineering, etc?

Kids, just like adults, learn best when they are allowed to pursue their own interests. They become creative, their mind extends, they actually enjoy learning. When you standardize children and their curriculum, you get boredom, complaints and children looking forward to the end of the school day.

At 360 Academy, we believe that, while learning core skills, children should also be able to pursue their own interests and be guided into new and exciting areas. No child is standard and average and at Acton, no child will be treated as such.

 Further Recommended Reading: The End of Average by Todd Rose