Frequently Asked Questions
What grades does Acton Academy Marietta serve?
Though we don't organize students in traditional grade groupings, we currently serve what is commonly known as Kindergarten through 8th grade with plans to eventually add a high school studio.
What are the nuts and bolts of your learning design?
For our youngest learners (age 5 - 7), we use play and exploration to foster curiosity, build independence, and gain foundational skills. For our older learners, we use Socratic teaching, the latest in interactive technology and adaptive software, community covenants, and real world projects to build character and inspire 21st century lifelong learners. Our oldest learners engage in apprenticeships to help discover talents and passions.
What is meant by the 'Hero's Journey'?
Acton has found the 'Hero's Journey' to be a powerful metaphor for children as they embark on their learning adventures. It is a lifelong orientation toward discovering themselves and the world - unearthing unique gifts , talents, and passions and then developing the habits of mind, character, and behavior that allow them to chase down their dreams with energy and joy. We encourage the pursuit of answers to these questions:
- Who am I and where am I going?
- What makes me special?
- What gifts do I have?
- How can I use these gifts to do something great, even change the world?
What is the Socratic Method and why is it incorporated into Acton's approach?
The Socratic Method utilizes collaborative dialogue in which participants ask and answer questions to inspire critical thinking. Acton uses the Socratic method instead of lectures or the 'expert' imparting of knowledge from teacher to student. We believe that through debate and actively forming arguments for their beliefs, students hone their critical thinking and speaking skills and gain a better understanding of a topic than by passively taking notes or listening to a lecture. Outside of discussions, Guides employ the Socratic method with students throughout the day, answering questions with questions or choices, to empower students to be independent learners and problem solvers, able to pursue and answer life's questions on their own.
Is Acton Academy Marietta a Montessori school?
Though Acton Academy Marietta is not a Montessori school, we respect and incorporate Maria Montessori's philosophies about children and learning. We use Montessori elements such as mixed-age studios, student choice within limits, large blocks of work time, learning through discovery, and freedom of movement in the classroom to help create a rich and stimulating educational environment.
Is Acton Academy Marietta a religious school?
While we expose students to the importance of mindfulness, ethical principles, and the significance of religion in our history, we are not a religious school and do not ascribe to any one religion in our student exposures or interactions. We not only respect but value and celebrate individual beliefs.
Is Acton Academy Marietta accredited?
Acton Academy Marietta is accredited through the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools.
Will children be grouped into grades?
We believe that children learn best when working with both younger and older peers rather than being split into grades based on age. Multi-age learning and activities are purposeful and frequent.
What is a typical day like?
All studio schedules are similar in that the day is broken into independent work cycles, collaborative work or play cycles, free time, and community building activities.
Sample Explorer Schedule
8:30 Morning Circle (Calendar time and launch)
8:40 Mindfulness/Read Aloud
9:00 Learning Lab (open Montessori-based work time)
11:30 Quest
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Outside Playtime
2:45 Landing
3:00 Read Aloud
3:15 Pack Up/Studio Maintenance
3:25 Dance Party
3:30 Dismissal
Sample Adventurer & Navigator Schedule
8:20 Morning Circle/ Mindfulness
8:30 Launch: Socratic Seminar
8:45 Core Skills Work Cycle
9:45 Snack/Recess
10:00 Core Skills Work Cycle
11:15 Recess/Lunch Break
12:15 Meet with running partners
12:45 Investigation Time (STEM Lab/Global Studies/Civilization/Board Games)
2:15 Enrichment (Art/Performing Arts/Fitness)
3:10 Studio Maintenance
3:20 Closing Circle
3:30 Dismissal
Sample Explorer Schedule
8:30 Morning Circle (Calendar time and launch)
8:40 Mindfulness/Read Aloud
9:00 Learning Lab (open Montessori-based work time)
11:30 Quest
12:30 Lunch
1:00 Outside Playtime
2:45 Landing
3:00 Read Aloud
3:15 Pack Up/Studio Maintenance
3:25 Dance Party
3:30 Dismissal
Sample Adventurer & Navigator Schedule
8:20 Morning Circle/ Mindfulness
8:30 Launch: Socratic Seminar
8:45 Core Skills Work Cycle
9:45 Snack/Recess
10:00 Core Skills Work Cycle
11:15 Recess/Lunch Break
12:15 Meet with running partners
12:45 Investigation Time (STEM Lab/Global Studies/Civilization/Board Games)
2:15 Enrichment (Art/Performing Arts/Fitness)
3:10 Studio Maintenance
3:20 Closing Circle
3:30 Dismissal
What kind of learner thrives at Acton Academy Marietta?
An Acton Academy Marietta Eagle loves to learn and is curious, self-motivated, and respectful. Our environment is an accelerator for the independent learner who embraces challenging questions, can follow directions, and shows grit in solving problems.
Does Acton Academy Marietta serve children with special needs?
We believe that all children are gifted and bring unique strengths and challenges to their learning journey. While we are not trained to serve students with profound learning disabilities, we welcome the opportunity to discuss individual student learning differences to see if we may be a mutually fitting educational setting.
How does Acton Academy Marietta measure and monitor student progress and performance?
We do this in a number of ways:
1. We set, review, and reflect on daily, weekly, and session goals. These goals are reviewed and discussed among students, guides, and parents.
2. We utilize robust real-time data for each of our online learning tools. At any given time, any student, parent, or Guide can see exactly what a student is learning. Since these tools are adaptive to the learner, they do not move on with content until mastery is demonstrated, and provide review and remediation where needed.
3. We utilize individual student portfolios to collect pieces of work that showcase learning and progress.
4. Though we never 'teach to the test' nor spend any student learning time preparing for a test, standardized tests are given each year to provide useful benchmark data.
1. We set, review, and reflect on daily, weekly, and session goals. These goals are reviewed and discussed among students, guides, and parents.
2. We utilize robust real-time data for each of our online learning tools. At any given time, any student, parent, or Guide can see exactly what a student is learning. Since these tools are adaptive to the learner, they do not move on with content until mastery is demonstrated, and provide review and remediation where needed.
3. We utilize individual student portfolios to collect pieces of work that showcase learning and progress.
4. Though we never 'teach to the test' nor spend any student learning time preparing for a test, standardized tests are given each year to provide useful benchmark data.
How much homework do Acton students have?
We believe that children of all ages need time to relax, play, and spend time with family and friends. Therefore, all work is completed during the school day in the studio, and no homework is assigned. All students are strongly encouraged to read for fun in their free time at home.
Is Acton Academy Marietta part of a franchise or chain?
We are not part of a franchise or a chain. Acton Academy Marietta is an independent school, part of a network that finds its inspiration and receives mentoring from the founding Acton Academy in Austin, Texas. Our network of affiliates is passionate about revolutionizing education, pursuing best practices, and creating a 21st century learner-driven environment for our students. Each affiliate employs its own methods in keeping with these commitments, yet vary in implementation and design based on the leadership at each school and the interests of the community it serves.
Do you have any other resources that will help me better understand the philosophies and methods of Acton Academy?
We recommend this list of resources to anyone interested in learning more about Acton and its methodologies.