Elementary Studio

Ages 7 - 11

Students learning creative writing in Dublin, OH

Ignite a lifelong passion for learning

We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way. At Acton Columbus, our mission is to guide curious, independent, lifelong learners on their journey to discover their greatest talents.

“The goal of the educational process is to produce self-directed, life-long learners.”
— Gary Schoeniger

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
“If you can light the spark of curiosity in children, they will learn without any further assistance”
— Sir Ken Robinson

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.

Waldorf-inspired outdoor education at Acton Academy Columbus

LEARN TO DO

Hands-on Projects for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.

Circle time at Acton Academy Columbus (private school near Hilliard, OH)

LEARN TO BE

Learners discuss and celebrate character traits—such as hard work, growth mindset, integrity, persistence, kindness, and gratitude.

“The power of self-driven education & real world work stick harder than a scantron.”
— Ed Hanko

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

Real-world challenges at Acton Academy (homeschooling alternative)
“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.”
— Bernard Bull

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.”
— Alfie Kohn

MASTERY vs. GRADES

badges.jpg

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.

  1. Core skill and character development badges.

  2. Electronic and hard copy portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.

  3. 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.”
— Kathleen McClaskey

INSTAGRAM GALLERY

🤔 Is your child always on the move, eager to learn at their own pace? Do they love helping others and crave more ownership over their learning journey? If traditional lectures leave them unmotivated, a Learner-Driven model might be just what the
Marine Science STEM Challenge: Build your own terrarium! 🌱🌊 Our learners are exploring ecosystems by creating mini-environments that mimic marine habitats. A hands-on way to dive into marine science! #stemchallenge #terrarium #marinescience #h
🎯 Why is giving kids agency in their education so important? It boosts happiness, engagement, and motivation! When students choose what and how they learn, they take ownership, leading to better outcomes and a lifelong love of learning. Traditi
Our Discovery Studio learners are doing pre writing research here for this session's Writer's Workshop: Biographies! We can't wait to read their work! #prewriting #writingactivities #writersworkshop #biography #actonacademy #columbusohioschool #cbu
Research shows that our youth learn best when they: ➡️ Focus deeply on fewer, more meaningful topics ➡️ Take an active role in the learning process ➡️ Connect new knowledge to their own interests and experiences ➡️ Are motivated by a desire for mas
John Dewey's wisdom is a reminder to evolve our educational practices by adapting and improving teaching methods, tools, and practices to meet the changing needs of students and the world around them. It involves moving beyond traditional approache
"We found significant evidence that reading is linked to important developmental factors in children, improving their cognition, mental health, and brain structure, which are cornerstones for future learning and well-being." - Barbara Sahak
The traditional desk setup is outdated in today's information-driven world. Observations from Montessori settings show that children exhibit remarkable confidence and decisiveness when given autonomy. At Acton Academy Columbus, learners independe
At Acton, our learners take ownership of their education, environment, and even the studio. One of our Eagles accidentally "broke" a table. Rather than putting it to the side and letting an adult deal with it, she got to work. She brought
🌟 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠! 🌟 Each morning at the Spark Studio begins with the Montessori work cycle, where our youngest learners take the lead. 🧩 They freely choose activities to master from our array of Montessori learnin
🌟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧🌟 Every session our Heroes work on real-world projects called Quests, but they also take on one big challenge where they apply their project management and presentation skills—our
We are truly grateful to the parents who choose our school, recognizing that this decision and the journey ahead are not always easy. It’s not easy because we are not here for the quick fixes or the simple path. We are committed to empowerin

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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.”
— John Taylor Gatto

Do you want your child to feel like life is an endless stream of opportunities?

Perhaps Acton columbus is for you and your family.