Learning at Acton Academy Palatine

We believe that learning to be, learning to do, and learning to learn are more important than learning to know.

21st Century Learning

  • 1

    Learner-paced core skills in reading, writing, and math built on Montessori principles and hands-on materials.

  • 2

    Real-world Quests that require learners to collaborate, create, and solve problems that actually matter.

  • 3

    Deep Socratic, Harkness discussions, and Case Studies about heroes, history, and hard moral questions because thinking clearly and speaking powerfully are life skills.

  • 4

    A studio culture built on written covenants, peer accountability, and the hard work of forming real friendships.

  • 5

    The freedom to move at your own pace and the community that holds you to your best.

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Learn to Learn

Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip young heroes to be independent lifelong learners.

Learn to Do

Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship, and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real-world challenges.

Learn to Be

The Hero’s Journey, relational covenants and real world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.

Measuring Mastery

Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges and taking part in public exhibitions.

  • 1

    Learners use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in Servant Leader Badges.

  • 2

    Young heroes deliver public exhibitions of their work at the end of each four to six week sprint.

  • 3

    Self-management and self-governance skills are measured by peer reviews at the end of each session.

Acton School Guide

Our Educational Philosophy

We believe clear thinking leads to good decisions, good decisions lead to the right habits, the right habits forge character, and character determines destiny.