Learning to be. Learning to do. Learning to learn.
Which families thrive at Evoke: Acton Academy Northshore?
The learners that thrive at our school have these things in common:
They want to be free and they are capable of making their own choices to take care of themselves during the school day, like going to the restroom, eating a snack, or getting water. These are personal rights that we believe have been stripped from public school students, and our learners enjoy these freedoms.
They are not disruptive to other learners. They enjoy learning, and like being with other children while they learn.
They have a strong curiosity about the world around them and get interested in the little things (bugs, leaves, germs), and the really BIG things (outer space, technology, ideas about integrity and value systems, etc).
They like to spend free time dancing, singing, putting on plays, sharing art projects, writing books, building businesses, planning events, taking care of animals and plants, spending time outside, and improving their school.
The parents that get the most from our school have these things in common:
They believe in Acton Academy methodology of letting children fail, early and often, so that they can learn for themselves and solidify concepts quicker.
While we all hate to stand back while our children are frustrated, we know there is beauty in the process. Not every day is easy, but we must give them the chance to work it out themselves. Guides only intervene if there is a safety hazard. Parents who thrive as Acton families are okay letting go of the reigns a little bit so children can explore school and life to find their calling.
They enjoy get togethers with other like-minded parents, and are not afraid to keep learning and discover their own Hero’s journey.
They are friendly with other parents and staff, and leave competitive tendencies at the door. We are all here for a common goal. We all have gifts to share with the community, and we understand that each learner and family is equally important.
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Full TransparencyFAQ
Is the Acton Academy Northshore Campus a Montessori school?
Our Spark studio has a fully equipped Montessori Children’s House, and we have a deep respect for Maria Montessori’s work. We have seen the benefits of having a Montessori foundation in our own children, but Acton Academy is the level up for us. You can think of it like Montessori for the modern age. We utilize modern technology and dive deeply into science in the Adventure and Discovery studios. Even our Sparks dabble in “mad science” experiments from time to time.
Is Acton Academy Northshore Campus a religious school?
We are a secular environment open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike, exposing children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stressing the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization.
Will children be grouped into grades?
We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. There is no ceiling to how much a learner can grow. All students are encouraged to push themselves outside their comfort zone. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.
Does Acton Academy Northshore serve children with special needs or IEP?
We are not trained to serve children with learning disabilities, and we cannot support an IEP at this time. However, we have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia and some speech impairments, if they receive regular therapy outside of school.
Due to the freedoms given at our school, it is necessary for learners to be able to self-regulate, follow directions, cooperate with the other children and guides, be on time to school each day, and be fully present most of the time.
However, we don’t expect perfection– willingness to be a team player is most important.
What do you mean by “every child can change the world”?
We believe each of our students will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a great engineer or doctor who changes modern medicine; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child’s eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero’s Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people’s lives.
Who was Lord Acton?
Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” At the Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.
What do you mean by a hero’s journey?
We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.
What is an “independent learner”?
Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems—admit that they don’t know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help — participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.
Why do you focus on teaching the “American Experiment”?
We believe in liberty and justice and the ideals of the American revolution as the cornerstones of civilization. In addition to experiential learning, we will study the American documents and the true meaning behind them, as we examine other cultures and forms of government.
Still have questions?
