Our American School,
an Acton Academy

Acton Academy is an innovative Pre-K through 12th-grade school that launched in 2009 in Austin, Texas and has now expanded to over 250+ campuses around the globe. At every Acton, Self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily by learners who use 21st Century skills to tackle real world projects, inspired by classic heroes in a tightly bound community with extremely high standards.

What makes Acton Academy different?

TRADITIONAL SCHOOL

Rows of desks and a teacher at the blackboard

Memorization and testing of rules and facts

Report cards, test scores and grades measure your success

One teacher lectures to many students

Worksheets just like our grandparents used, one-size fits all approach to learning

School like a factory with bells, shifts, and one-size-fits-all

ACTON ACADEMY

Work collaboratively like at Google or Facebook

Learn real skills and apply them in projects

Set personalized goals then transparently track progress

Everyone's a teacher; everyone's a student

Professional tools for art and storytelling; Cutting-edge adaptive tech for Core Skills

School like a journey, with big goals, mentors, tools, and a destination you care about

How does it work?

Young people doing challenging work at their own pace.

Collaborating on real-world projects.

Earning points for effort and badges for mastery.

Sharing learning in a tightly bound community.

Using the latest technology to master reading, writing and math.

On a Hero’s Journey, with challenges, adventures, fellow travelers and guides.

Our Studios

Elementary Studio

For ages 6-11

Accomplish important work and play well with others

An Acton Elementary Studio is like a close-knit neighborhood where learners tackle important work, solve problems, collaborate with peers, and engage in increasingly challenging games.

Elementary aged learners:

Ask great questions.
Have fun and welcome others.
Set and track goals.
Build a solid foundation in math, reading, writing, and Civilization.
Explore, are curious and develop a love of learning through hands-on project-based learning.

The Middle School Studio

For ages 11-14

Learn to Work Hard

Acton Academy Middle School is where young heroes learn to work hard, tackle complex computational challenges; communicate clearly and persuasively and develop the passion and real-world skills needed to make a difference in the world.
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Middle School learners:

Master core skills (reading, writing, and math) through the latest technology.
Develop critical thinking and an appreciation for heroes and history through Socratic discussions.
Dive deeply into biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
Prepare for the real world through challenging apprenticeships.

The Launchpad Studio

For ages 14-18

Committing to a Next Great Adventure

Launchpad (high school) is where learners prepare for the adventure of a lifetime, whether the next step is a selective college, launching their own business or a first job at SpaceX or Google.

Extraordinary young leaders spend time doing something they love to do; inspired by world class coaches and experts; having fun with friends as they create lifelong memories.

Launchpad heroes:

Read deep literature; communicate clearly and powerfully; and tackle real world computational challenges.
Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance.
Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
Serve in leadership roles in lower studios, their community, and around the world in the Acton Network.