DISCOVERY
Our project-focused approach to education is hands-on and collaborative, and allows children to learn through their innate curiosity, not just by reading from a textbook.
In our mixed age environment across grades, students discover how to engage and form meaningful relationships with their fellow students and their teachers. By providing students with double the outdoors time of most schools, we’re able to increase and maximize their levels of engagement and focus while learning throughout the day.
Across these kinds of rich experiences, students create real-world deliverables in our open, indoor classrooms (or studios), that enable cutting edge design thinking and cross discipline innovation.
MASTERY
Mastery-based learning relies on revision, reflection, and review to guide students in the right direction -- but only once they’re ready. If a child needs a little more time “to get it,” that’s fine.
For those students working above grade level, they have the opportunity to push on to the next step and accelerate their learning. Children are given the space to meet and surpass their goals on their own terms.
ADVENTURE
Learning at the Studio School is never boring. A spirit of adventure is infused into every part of our innovative, individualized program. This stems from the freedom our students have to pursue their own interests and explore core subjects in hands-on, personal ways.
We also work to make tangible experiences part of our lessons. By including the real world in our classrooms — either through field trips that excite and motivate, or world-class experts who bring concepts to life — our students are given the chance to be inspired by what they’re learning.
THE HERO'S JOURNEY
Each child must go through his or her own hero’s journey as they make their way through the learning process. This cycle of challenge, achievement, and progress offers our students the opportunity to become champions for their education as they continue to grow and learn.
And every child learns differently and at his or her own pace. School should be a place to encourage and engage young minds, not try to fit them into generic boxes. Children need the freedom to learn on their own terms and to explore like anything is possible.
Children are innately curious, and need a learning environment that cultivates this curiosity. Our focus at Acton is to create an environment where creativity is the fuel for learning, which then becomes a hero's journey.
This is the path to lifelong learning. Using Socratic discussion, Acton learners practice critical thinking, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, as they keep growing into the best version of themselves.