The School That Empowers Pre-K-12th Graders to Thrive In The Real World—Because Conventional Education Isn’t Working!
For 120 years, our public education system has prioritized memorization, standardized testing, and a “one-size-fits-all” approach to learning. In fact, because our schools mimic Industrial Era assembly lines so closely, they’ve earned the nickname “factory schools” by critics.
What Kind Of Results Do These Factory Schools Get?
70% of employers say recent graduates lack critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for the workplace.
44% of employers report that graduates struggle with basic communication and teamwork skills.
Only 20% of students report feeling engaged in school by high school age.
1 in 5 students lacks basic practical skills, making the transition to the workforce difficult.
Math scores for U.S. students are at an all-time low, with only 34% of 8th graders scoring proficient or above in 2022.
Over 60% of students from Grade 4-12 aren’t reading at grade level, with only 33% of 4th graders reading proficiently.
Dr. Jordan Peterson says: "Factory Schools Are Failing Our Students."
Discover why he believes Acton Academy is a positive force for change.
Acton Academy fosters responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork, helping students become independent, motivated learners ready for the real world.
We believe in hands-on learning. Acton students develop real-life skills by starting businesses, building habitats, playing instruments, painting, or programming robots.
At Acton Academy, Guides enrich learning by asking thoughtful questions and encouraging hands-on activities. Using the Socratic method, they respond to students’ questions with more questions, sharpening critical thinking. No boring lectures here!
Acton is student-led, meaning students take charge of their learning and relationships. They learn to think independently, take responsibility, and tackle challenges, preparing to share their unique talents with 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.
Rigid, one-size-fits-all system
Closed off from the real world
Emphasis on tests, grades, and memorization.
Primarily classroom-based
Forced learning of predetermined content
Age-based grade levels.
Students treated as products
Personalized, self-paced learning
Connected with real-world experiences
Mixed-age classrooms, mentors guide learning
Hands-on, digital, and project-based learning
Designed for future innovation
Progress based on mastery, not grades.
Learners valued as unique individuals
Here’s how we help your child discover their unique strengths and develop the skills that matter most in today’s world:
Hands-On Projects: Your child will be involved in real-world, hands-on projects, from starting businesses to creating art or building machines.
Socratic Discussions: Our guides lead students in deep, meaningful discussions that sharpen their critical thinking skills and encourage curiosity.
Student-Led Learning: Heroes set their own goals and take charge of their education, helping them learn responsibility and independence.
Cultivating Character: Through a focus on personal virtues, your child will develop not only academically but as a person of integrity, ready to make a difference.
Personalized Learning Plans: Tailored learning journeys that focus on each child’s unique strengths.
A Supportive, Engaged Community: A nurturing, character-focused environment that helps heroes thrive emotionally and socially.
Daily Challenges & Milestones: Heroes set goals and work towards their personal best, both academically and personally.
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.
"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.”
Stories of Growth and Success from Acton Pittsburgh Families!
"He is flourishing and thriving."
"She has never been happier at a school in her life."
"We fell in love right away."
"We couldn't be more pleased with their education."
"This is the greatest decision we EVER made for our child."
"Like-minded community that wants to build strong-minded children."
"Best of all the different models of education."
"Our children ENJOY school consistently."
"I have ZERO concerns when I drop our kids off in the morning."
"Acton has felt like home since day 1."
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.
Ages 8-11 Years Old
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.
Ages 12-15 Years Old
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.
Ages 16-18 Years Old
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.
Self-paced mastery of reading, writing, and math skills through deliberate practice and the latest educational technology.
Develop character, uncover personal gifts, and create genuine relationships with others as you learn about yourself.
Learn critical thinking and powerful communication skills through Socratic discussions on topics from heroes to history to self-governance.
Acton Academy Pittsburgh offers grades Pre-K to 12th.
We start Late August and close early June.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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)).
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.
Yes the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools and we are also a Pennsylvania Licensed Private Academic School.
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.
ACTON PITTSBURGH FOUNDER: TALKING ABOUT "OUR WHY"
Acton Academy Pittsburgh, 3500 Brooktree Road Wexford, PA 15090 USA
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