The Micorschool Difference
One of the reasons I decided to open up a microschool is because I came to realize that there are so many things about traditional K-12 public schools that just don’t make sense. My journey into understanding how children learn started with reading Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn.
In this book and subsequent others that he has written, Kohn details so much of what is wrong with the way our schools operate.
Here are a few basic examples:
Grades: Traditional schools often use grades to measure achievement. However, as Kohn details it, grades undermine our intrinsic desire to learn. When we track grading (rather than learning), our focus becomes about getting high scores rather than mastery or engagement with the topic. Grades also inhibit risk-taking and creativity in the classroom. Rather than being innovative and creative, the benefit is on playing it safe.
Homework: Homework is often given as a way to reinforce concepts learned in class. However, it can be stressful and time-consuming for students and can also contribute to a lack of balance in their lives. Kohn’s work and research indicate that homework does the opposite of what we intended it to do and there is no value - especially at the elementary level. At Acton Academy Columbus, we focus on hands-on, project-based learning rather than traditional homework. In fact, we don’t assign any homework (or have tests, quizzes, or report cards).
Sitting at a desk: In traditional schools, students are often required to sit at a desk for extended periods of time. This can be physically and mentally draining and can hinder creativity and even critical thinking. In our studio, learners freely move around and work in different areas to create a more active and interactive learning environment. Our studio uses sofas, bean bags, and many other forms of comfortable seating often not seen in a traditional school environment.
All children are the same age: In traditional schools, students are often grouped according to age, regardless of their individual learning needs or interests. This allows for a one-size-fits-all approach to learning without considering each learner’s unique strengths and challenges. As adults, we work with younger and older peers - why don’t we give our children that same opportunity?
One of the core tenets of our microschool is to prioritize learning through real-world project-based challenges over traditional textbook learning. We believe that hands-on experience and practical applications are essential for deeper understanding and longer retention of knowledge.
A few of the ways we approach this include:
Project-Based Learning: Instead of rote or textbook-based learning, we engage learners in authentic projects that simulate real-world situations. These projects are often interdisciplinary, requiring students to apply knowledge from a variety of disciplines to solve complex problems. Every six weeks, we focus on a new interdisciplinary Quest or theme. Quests we’ve done in the Elementary studio include Gardening, Baking, Detective Science, Coding / Robotics, Entomology, Game Design, among many others.
Focus on the 4 Cs: We emphasize collaboration and teamwork in a project-based manner. While traditionally schools have focused on the 3 Rs (Reading, Writing, Arithmetic), at Acton, we emphasize the 4 Cs (Collaboration, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Communication) as well. Learners at Acton work in small groups or teams to solve challenges, allowing them to learn from each other. Collaborative learning not only develops social skills but encourages creativity and innovation as students discuss and restate ideas together.
Real-world connections: Our Guides work to link classroom learning to real-world applications wherever possible. This may involve inviting guest speakers from a variety of fields to share their expertise, organizing field trips to appropriate sites, or collaborating with local businesses or organizations for hands-on learning opportunities.
Problem-based learning: In addition to structured tasks, we also include problem-based learning activities in the curriculum. These activities allow our Eagles to develop and solve realistic, open-ended problems that require critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Problem-based learning challenges our Eagles to think critically and they apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
Agency and Autonomy for Learners: Finally, we value agency and autonomy and autonomy for our learner’s. They are in charge of their own education. All our young heroes move forward on their academic skills at their own pace. In addition, each week our learners work on their own passion projects, allowing them to take ownership of their education. By empowering our Eagles to inspire their own learning experiences, we encourage intrinsic motivation and a lifelong love of learning
Project-based real-world challenge learning is at the core of our educational philosophy at Acton Academy Columbus. By providing authentic, hands-on experiences and empowering learners to solve real-world problems, we want to inspire every learner to become lifelong learners and find their own passion.