What is a Micro-School?
The modern one-room schoolhouse with personalized, student-directed learning and development for the Innovation age.
Smaller, multi-age classes
Micro-schools are typically smaller than what you would find in a public or private school. Typically, class sizes range from 5 - 15 students. In addition, students across micro-school classes are a mix of students with a range of ages (e.g. all age elementary students in one class). See the research behind multi-age schools.
Student-driven learning
A traditional classroom is a "teacher-centered" learning environment. The teacher stands at the front of the classroom and directs the teaching while the students passively listen. The teacher does most of the talking and students speak when they are allowed and given the opportunity. In a "student-centered" learning environment, the activities of the students takes center stage while the "teacher" serves as a guide to learning. The students do most of the talking and the teacher serves to facilitate as needed. In this model, students take charge of their own learning, determine how to tackle problems and the tools to use. See the research behind student-driven classrooms.
Blended learning Approach
Most micro-schools institute a blend of online learning and in-classroom, collaborative work. The work done in the classroom focuses primarily on collaborative, team project work rather than teacher-led instruction. See the research behind blended learning.
There are now over 200 Actons worldwide.
Acton Columbus - Principles of Education
The goal of education should not be to get a 5 on an AP exam. It should be to develop lifelong skills that will be applied well beyond a child’s school years.
Self-Learning and Peer-to-Peer learning are critical in our global society. Developing self-learning and collaborative learning skills lays the foundation for life-long education.
Study after study after study finds that students in blended classrooms outperform those in traditional in-person classes.
Another Maria Montesorri principle backed by research is that multi-age classrooms are highly effective for learning. They provide children with opportunities for leadership, eliminates unhealthy competition, and helps build growth mindsets.
Studies have consistently shown that student engagement and collaboration leads to higher achievement. It builds a lifelong skill that leads to enhanced critical thinking and has a positive effect on our ability to learn.
A Maria Montessori principle, now backed up by research, is that students think more freely and creatively when they are able to move around. It's better for their health and physical activity also stimulates the brain.
We have the tools and technology to provide a personalized education to every student. We should do so.
Allow children to learn and grow. Provide them guidance and they will flourish because learning is really enjoyable. What's not enjoyable and hampers learning are tests and grades and homework.
Failure and being wrong is how you learn. Being wrong forces you to learn, to understand the correct way to do things, to not make the same mistakes over and over. So let’s not punish our kids for failure.
Our students deserve to be seen for their own potential so each one of them can grow into the genius he / she is.
Children with a growth mindset are much more likely to succeed. They are continuously looking to improve their skills and get better.
Kids learn best when they are allowed to pursue their own interests. They become creative and actually enjoy learning. When you standardize the curriculum, you get boredom and children looking forward to the end of the school day.
The 4 Cs of education (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity) are vital in our Innovation age.
The fundamentals of reading, writing and math are critical in our daily lives. Every child must master the fundamentals.
Education Reimagined - Go beyond the traditional classrooms where boredom persists as students move from lecture to lecture. Focus on the student, not the teacher.
For a 21st century education, children must learn to learn, learn to be, and learn to do
Acton Academy Columbus - 17 Principles of Education