Growth Studio
Ages 7 – 9
Foster the Joy of Growth
The Growth Studio is a place of wonder and development, where learners build foundational skills in a nurturing environment. Through hands‑on projects, Socratic discussions, and discovery‑based Quests, they cultivate independence and a love of learning to guide their educational journey.
“The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child’s own natural desire to learn.”
— Maria MontessoriHow is Acton Academy different?
| Traditional Approach | Acton Academy Approach |
|---|---|
| Learn to KnowQuizzes, Tests, Memorization | Beyond TextbooksLearn to Learn, Learn to Do, Learn to Be |
| Grouped by age | Mixed‑age StudioGrowth Mindset environment |
| Rows of Desks | Freedom to move aroundMovement fosters thought, creativity |
| Excessive homeworkForced homework = loss of joy for learning | No homework |
| Teacher‑Led Lectures | Socratic QuestionsFosters critical thinking |
| One‑size‑fits‑all curriculum | Personalized EducationSelf‑Paced Learning |
| Teacher is authority | Learner‑Driven EnvironmentStudent contracts, Peer‑to‑Peer Learning |
| Grades, Report Cards | Mastery‑Based LearningIndividual SMART Goals, Focus on Mastery |
“Creativity becomes more visible when adults try to be more attentive to the cognitive processes of children than to the results they achieve in various fields of doing and understanding.”
— Loris Malaguzzi (Founder of the Reggio Emilia approach)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.
Learn to Do
Hands‑on Projects for Science, Entrepreneurship and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real‑world challenges.
Learn to Be
Learners discuss and celebrate character traits—such as hard work, growth mindset, integrity, persistence, kindness, and gratitude.
“The need for imagination, a sense of truth, and a feeling of responsibility—these three forces are the very nerve of education.”
— Rudolf Steiner (Founder of the Waldorf approach)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
“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 BullCultivating 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 KohnMastery vs. Grades
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.
- Core skill and character development badges.
- Electronic and hard copy portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.
- 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.