 “Acton emulates real adult life but in a kid-friendly environment.” 🌟 At Acton Academy, learning isn’t about memorizing facts for a test—it’s about real-world skills, independence, and responsibility. Our learners take ownership of their education, work on meaningful projects, and navigate challenges just like they will in adult life—only in a safe, supportive space designed for growth. 📣 Want to see it in action? Join us for our upcoming Open House! Next Tuesday, March 4th from 4pm to 6pm. RSVP at www.actonmarietta.org.openhouse 
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 The Learning Pyramid suggests different teaching methods impact knowledge retention differently. Attributed to the National Training Laboratories (NTL), it claims passive methods like lectures result in lower retention, while active methods like teaching others lead to higher retention. According to the model, students retain 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear, and up to 90% when they teach others. This has been used to advocate for interactive learning. Supporters of the Learning Pyramid argue that it highlights the effectiveness of experiential learning, where students engage more deeply through hands-on activities and collaboration. Many educators use it as a guide to design more engaging and student-centered curricula. The model also emphasizes the role of teaching as a powerful learning tool, reinforcing the idea that explaining concepts to others enhances understanding. However, critics argue the retention percentages lack scientific backing. Learning is highly individualized, influenced by prior knowledge and engagement rather than a fixed hierarchy. Despite these flaws, the pyramid highlights the importance of active participation in learning. While its figures are questionable, its core message encourages diverse teaching strategies to improve education. This aligns with the learning model of Acton Academies, which emphasizes self-directed learning, Socratic discussions, and hands-on projects. Acton’s approach mirrors the Learning Pyramid’s advocacy for active engagement, where students learn by doing, collaborating, and teaching others, reinforcing deeper understanding and long-term retention. So while the pyramid is not precise science it does highlight why the Acton model is so empowering and meaningful to so many learners! Congratulations to the MS/LP Eagles! The Acton Network hosted a contest for all studios worldwide to submit taglines and videos to be used in a global ad campaign the network is working on. The prompt was "Acton is not a school, it's more like...". Learners from all over the network were tasked with completing that thought and creating an accompanying video.
In the Launchpad category, the AAM MS/LP Eeagles won for the Southeast region (FL, GA, TN, SC, NC)! Well done.  There has been a lot of buzz recently about Jonathan Haidt's book, The Anxious Generation. In "The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness," social psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the alarming rise in anxiety, depression, and self-harm among adolescents since the early 2010s. He attributes this mental health crisis to two primary factors: the decline of unsupervised, play-based childhoods and the surge in smartphone and social media use.
Haidt argues that, starting in the 1980s, increased parental concerns about safety led to a reduction in children's free playtime. This overprotection deprived children of essential experiences that foster resilience, risk assessment, and social skills. Concurrently, the early 2010s saw a significant rise in smartphone adoption among adolescents, leading to increased screen time and exposure to social media platforms. Haidt contends that this shift resulted in social deprivation, sleep disruption, fragmented attention, and addictive behaviors, all contributing to deteriorating mental health. To address these challenges, Haidt proposes several solutions:
Acton emphasizes the importance of play early on and carries outside time and movement up into high school. Our learners create their own tech contracts and set guardrails for themselves and cell phone use beginning in middle school. You'll rarely see a cell phone out at Acton Marietta as learners are engaged in meaningful work and collaboration with peers during pivotal developmental periods. To learn more about our learning model, click on the Next Steps tab above!  The Acton Academy network of schools was founded in 2009 by Jeff and Laura Sandefer in Austin, Texas. Jeff, an entrepreneur and educator, and Laura, a writer and education innovator, sought to create a learner-driven model that empowers students to take ownership of their education. Inspired by the principles of the Socratic method, project-based learning, and the Montessori philosophy, Acton Academy emphasizes self-paced learning, real-world problem-solving, and developing a strong sense of purpose. The school originally started as an experiment for their children but quickly gained interest from other families. The model, which focuses on mastery-based learning, small multi-age classrooms, and the use of technology to facilitate personalized education, has since expanded into a global network of independent Acton Academies. Each location operates under a shared philosophy but maintains autonomy in implementation. The Acton model challenges traditional education by shifting the role of teachers to guides, fostering an environment where students take responsibility for their learning journey. Many different influences come together to create this unique learning model including:
If you'd like to know more about the Acton model or see it and all its influences in action, click below to schedule a discovery call to learn more or get your questions answered.
Or click below to schedule a tour!  There’s a reason the system isn’t serving people well, and it goes beyond the usual culprits of social media and Covid. Many recent graduates aren’t able to set targets, take initiative, figure things out and deal with setbacks — because in school and at home they were too rarely afforded any agency. A recent article in the New York Times looks at the lack of autonomy. In the article "The Power of Letting Children Make Choices" published on January 2, 2025, the author emphasizes the importance of allowing children to make their own decisions to foster independence and critical thinking. By providing opportunities for choice, children learn to assess options, consider consequences, and develop problem-solving skills. This autonomy not only boosts their confidence but also encourages a sense of responsibility and ownership over their actions. The article suggests that parents and educators should create environments where children can safely explore decision-making, thereby promoting their cognitive and emotional development. Furthermore, the piece discusses the role of goal-setting in a child's growth. Encouraging children to set and pursue personal goals helps them understand the value of perseverance and delayed gratification. The author argues that when children are involved in setting their own objectives, they are more motivated and engaged in the learning process. The article concludes by recommending that adults support children in both making choices and setting goals, as these practices are instrumental in preparing them for future challenges and successes. Giving kids agency doesn’t mean letting them do whatever they want. It doesn’t mean lowering expectations, turning education into entertainment or allowing children to choose their own adventure. It means requiring them to identify and pursue some of their own goals, helping them build strategies to reach those goals, assessing their progress and guiding them to course-correct when they fall short. Many of the points made by the authors are fundamental to the structure and philosophy of. Acton schools and we believe why Acton learners are engaged with their learning, able to plan and execute goals for their learning, and ultimately prepared for the real-world after high school.
If you want to read more from the NY Times article's authors, click here for their book that just came out. If you'd like to learn more about our unique learning model click below to set up a call to answer questions or click to set up a tour of our campus! We're pretty excited about what's happening on our Acton campus here in the Marietta/Kennesaw area and as it turns out, so are many of the top thinkers in education today. See what other people are saying about Acton's unique learner-driven model that blends together the best of the Montessori philosophy, Socratic dialogue, the democratic model, project-based learning, entrepreneurship, and more! Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world.  Tom Vander Ark, host of "Getting Smart" podcast and the former first Executive Director of Education for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation discusses the meaningful learning happening at Acton campuses around the world. Seth Godin discusses the power of the Socratic Guide in Acton schools. For a longer interview with Seth discussing Acton and the power of multi-age learning, click here. We're so excited to be part of a movement transforming education! If you'd like to learn more about this unique learning model. Click below to get questions answered over the phone or set up a tour!
 Our friends over at the National MicroSchooling Center shared their predictions for micro-schools in 2025. Check it out!
5 Predictions for the Microschooling Movement for 2025  Our friends over at Acton Academy Northwest Austin have a fantastic podcast for Acton parents and really any parents who find themselves in the non-traditional education space. One of our favorite episodes is number 106 on structure. It addresses some common misconceptions about learner-driven education and the assumption that it must be total chaos! If you want to better understand how young people can manage their learning without things becoming a "Lord of the Flies" situation, check out the podcast wherever you find your podcasts!
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