Growth Studio
Ages 7 - 9
Foster the joy of Growth
Lower Elementary (Growth Studio) is a time of wonder and growth, where learners are introduced to foundational skills in a nurturing environment.
Learners in this group engage in hands-on projects, Socratic discussions, and begin to cultivate independence through discovery-based Quests. Quests for our youngest learners encourage curiosity and joy as they explore the world around them, fostering a love of learning that will guide them on their educational journey.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”
How is Acton Academy different?
TRADITIONAL APPROACH |
ACTON ACADEMY APPROACH |
Learn to Know Quizzes, Tests, Memorization |
Beyond Textbooks Learn to Learn, Learn to Do, Learn to Be |
Grouped by age |
Mixed-age Studio Growth Mindset environment |
Rows of Desks |
Freedom to move around Movement fosters thought, creativity |
Excessive homework |
No homework Forced homework = loss of joy for learning |
Teacher-Led Lectures |
Socratic Questions Fosters critical thinking |
One-size-fits-all curriculum |
Personalized Education Self-Paced Learning |
Teacher is authority |
Learner-Driven Environment Student contracts, Peer-to-Peer Learning |
Grades, Report Cards |
Mastery-Based Learning Individual SMART Goals, Focus on Mastery |
“Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.”
HOW TO GET STARTED
MONTESSORI + REGGIO EMILIA + SOCRATES
LEARN TO LEARN
Socratic Discussions and self-paced core skills challenges equip children to be independent lifelong critical learners.
LEARN TO DO
Hands-on Projects for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.
LEARN TO BE
Learners discuss and celebrate character traits—such as hard work, growth mindset, integrity, persistence, kindness, and gratitude.
“The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education”
Real Life Skills for a 21st Century Education
PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
The latest in educational technology for self paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.
Deep Socratic discussions hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.
Hands-on project based Projects to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world.
Focus on the 4 Cs: Communication skills, Collaboration, Critical thinking, and Creativity
“I’ve visited and studied hundreds of innovative models of schooling over the past decade, and Acton continues to be one of the most promising models…. Acton is a truly inspiring and exceptional school.”
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS
Students create and sign a Contract of Promises describing community norms.
Teams encourage younger / older students to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.
Teams use Agile Project Management to break down tasks to complete larger projects
Executive Functioning Skills include time management, teamwork, collaboration, communication, delegation, design, organization, and planning to bring together a project to completion.
“The way kids learn to make good decisions is by making decisions, not following directions.”
MASTERY vs. GRADES
Learners work at their own pace to achieve mastery in the core skills of reading, grammar, and math rather than to earn grades or pass tests. This personalized approach to learning allows them to zoom past topics they quickly grasp and to be more deliberate in other topics.
Core skill and character development badges.
Electronic and hard copy portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.
Public exhibitions at the end of most Quests allow young heroes to present work to experts, customers or the public for a real world test.
“Personalized learning is not what is done to the learner or about tailoring the learning. It is about helping each learner to identify and develop the skills they need to support and enhance their own learning so that agency and self-advocacy can be realized.”
INSTAGRAM GALLERY
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“The primary goal of real education is not to deliver facts but to guide students to the truths that will allow them to take responsibility for their lives.”