In this episode of Doing Life Differently, Michael and I reflect on our unique journey in education as founders of an Acton Academy.

Now in year three, we’re seeing the results of an alternative education model designed to foster independence, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning in young learners.

If you’re curious about what makes Acton different, we break down how our “learner-driven” approach encourages students to set their own goals, embrace challenges, and learn collaboratively without the traditional structure of grades, tests, or homework.

Highlights from this Episode:

• What is Acton Academy? Michael explains the core principles of Acton’s learner-led, Socratic approach, which focuses on helping children become self-driven and accountable for their education.
• The Parent’s Role in Acton: We share how Acton intentionally involves parents as partners, not rescuers, and encourages them to support rather than direct their child’s educational journey.
• Navigating Challenges in Year Three: With more learners, new challenges arise, but we’ve discovered that more students actually strengthen the self-directed environment, making Acton a safe space for children to learn accountability and responsibility.
• A Community Like No Other: We highlight the unique family and parent community surrounding Acton, built around shared values and a commitment to doing school differently. From “parent brunches” to monthly gatherings, Acton creates a family-centered educational experience.
• Preparing for the Future: Looking ahead, we discuss our goals for expanding to a larger campus and the ongoing mission of Acton to instill mental resilience, grit, and a love for learning in every learner.

Tune in for a deep dive into our journey with Acton and the powerful transformations we’ve seen in our learners, our families, and ourselves along the way!

EPISODE MENTIONS:

📚 Read the book by Acton Founder: Courage to Grow

💻 Head to the Acton Academy West End website

📲 Follow Acton Academy West End on Instagram

Mentioned in this episode:

Lume Box

I'm really working on habit stacking and my Lume Box is the best tool in my toolbox to really make sure I'm focusing on my health and well-being while simultaneously getting ready for the day or reading at night.