Acton Academy Pittsburgh

Helps Pre-K - 12th Grade Students Discover And Grow Their Unique Strengths

Because The World Needs Them.

School, As We Know It, Was Designed In 1893

Our school was born different. Acton Academy is one of the newest and most innovative (and downright coolest) school designs in the world. Each Acton school was founded by parents who believe there is a better way to educate their children and help other like-minded families in their community.

What Is Acton Academy?

What Exactly Is The Difference Between Acton Academy And Other Schools?

Acton Academy uses the latest technology in a self-paced learning environment that is designed to foster responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. Acton students are empowered to thrive in a world that needs independent, motivated thinkers and learners.
We believe students learn by doing. Whether it’s launching a startup business, creating a tidepool habitat, playing a musical instrument, painting a mosaic, or programming a robot, Acton students are building real-life skills in the classroom every day.

We believe the learning experience is much richer when the teacher (“Guide”) offers insightful questions and facilitates hands-on learning. Guides use the Socratic method, always responding to students’ questions with new questions. This exchange hones students’ critical thinking skills. No boring sit in your desk teacher-led lecture-style learning at Acton!
Acton Academy is “student led.” This means young people take ownership of their education and peer relationships. Acton students learn to think independently, take responsibility and embrace challenge. They are being prepared to bring their own unique genius to the world.

We encourage our students to develop personal virtues such as honesty, hard work, responsibility, kindness and empathy. Armed with purpose and good character, we believe our students will launch into adulthood prepared to find their calling and change the world.

Watch This Short Award Winning Documentary About Acton Academy

Are You Frustrated With The Old, Traditional Educational Model That Teaches Students To Spit Out Facts And Pass State-Mandated Tests?

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Our Promise To Your Child

We believe each of our students will find a passion – something they love and have a gift to do – finding and pursuing this gift we call the Hero’s Journey. Our mission is to equip our students with the skills and tools they will need to find and pursue their life’s purpose.

Begin a Hero’s Journey.
Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner.
Develop a deep respect for economic, political and religious freedoms.
Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world and the mysteries of life on Earth.
Discover his or her most precious gifts and learn to use them to solve difficult problems.

Don’t Just Give Your Child An Education.

Help Them Find Their Calling In Life.

"Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world. The story behind the ideas, the school, and the movement is a must read.”

Tom Van der Ark

CEO of Getting Smart

Need To Know MORE About What Acton Academy Can Do For Your Child?

At Acton Academy, We Call Our Classrooms "Studios" Because Students Are Learning Through Movement, Exploration, And Hands-On Activities. Find Out How Our Learning Design Can Help Your Child Reach Their Full Potential.

Spark Studio

Ages 4 - 7

̶1̶̶6̶ 13 Spots Available

The Spark Studio community is designed specifically for the child, and the entire environment is created to facilitate the primary child’s learning process.

Maria Montessori observed that children learn by doing and wrote that the “hand was the instrument of the mind”.

Independence, coordination, order, self-discipline and concentration are developed. Children work individually and cooperatively with materials that engage their curiosity.

Elementary Studio

Ages 7 - 11

7 Spots Available

The Elementary Studio is where children develop a deep love of learning and kindness in relationships with others. This studio builds a foundation of learning and discovery through personalized Core Skills, exploratory Quest projects and play.

Core Skills – reading, writing, math and computer science – are self-paced and mastery-based using adaptive technology. Students explore the arts, sciences, history and natural world through hands-on projects each afternoon.

Middle School Studio

Ages 11 - 15

4 Spots Available

The Middle School Studio is for students ages 10-14 who have already proven that they are able to work independently.

They will have opportunities and responsibility to expand their education including apprenticeships each year with heroes in the community.

Students continue collaborating, building their character and friendships with their studio-mates who will challenge and support them through peer review of their work.

Launchpad Studio

Ages 15 - 18

Our hero has faced many challenges up to this point and has come out on the other side. Now comes one of their biggest challenges yet: high school.

As the hero prepares for the end of their school journey and the beginning of the next one- whatever that may be.

Launchpad works to help them create as many tools as possible to assist in their future quests in life. This is where their responsibility as the oldest members of the Academy really takes shape.

We Are Accredited To

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LEARNER-DRIVEN SCHOOLS

This is 21st Century Learning

Core Skills

Self-paced mastery of reading, writing, and math skills through deliberate practice and the latest educational technology.

Character

Develop character, uncover personal gifts, and create genuine relationships with others as you learn about yourself.

Curiosity

Learn critical thinking and powerful communication skills through Socratic discussions on topics from heroes to history to self-governance.

Here Are A Few FAQs We Get A Lot:

What grades do you offer?

Acton Academy Pittsburgh offers grades Pre-K to 12th.

How long is Acton Academy Pittsburgh in session each year and what is the school calendar?

We start Late August and close early June.

Is Acton Academy Pittsburgh a Montessori school?

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy, but we are not a Montessori school. In addition to Montessori methods, we use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.

Is Acton a religious school?

While we expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization, we do not promote any one religion.

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.

Does Acton Academy Pittsburgh serve special needs children?

We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.

What do you mean by “every child can change the world?”

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 a “running partner”?

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.

Will children be grouped together by grades?

We believe that children learn best when working with those younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in multi-age groups within each studio (Elementary, Middle, and launchpad (HS)).

Why a learner driven classroom?

At Acton Academy Pittsburgh we believe in learning to be and learning to do and an important part of this is encouraging kids to take responsibility for their own behavior and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn’t working, we want our students to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence and confidence that will serve them well in all areas of life.

Is Acton Academy Pittsburgh accredited?

Yes the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools and we are also a Pennsylvania Licensed Private Academic School.

How do you use technology in the classroom without students having too much screen time?

At Acton Academy Pittsburgh, we believe in the power of balance. Using the incredible, self-paced eLearning tools now available, we are able to provide the rigor needed for learning math, vocabulary, spelling and grammar in about 90 minutes each day, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based learning. The two are highly complementary.