BOLDLY
REIMAGINING
EDUCATION
Acton Academy is a 21st-century solution for the old-school model of passive learning; one-pace-fits-all curricula, standardized exams, and a top-down approach are not for us.
Acton is an innovative approach to education that celebrates personal responsibility, creative thinking, and the pursuit of one’s life purpose.
With 320+ worldwide campuses, our learner-driven community believes every child has incredible talents that will change the world. Bound by high standards of excellence and lifelong learning, Acton encourages the development of empowered, productive, and fulfilled citizens. This is where great adventures begin.
Welcome to AANSA
Our mission is to create an environment of curiosity and deep exploration where every child can be who they are meant to be and find their calling through the hero's journey.
Acton Academy North San Antonio delivers a 21st-century education in a self-directed environment where learners become independent, global citizens prepared for the real world.
AANSA delivers experiential learning emphasizing teamwork, social-emotional awareness and a growth-mindset.
WHY CHOOSE AANSA?
LEARNER-LED
Our learner-led environment is a departure from a traditional classroom experience focused on lectures, rote memorization, and conformity. At AANSA, we offer learners agency over their education and learning environment and we focus on their personal goals and interests. In contrast to traditional classrooms, in our self-paced, mastery-based approach, students spend the necessary time on a skill until they achieve proficiency.
-
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
SUPPORTS:
-
PACING
PREPARING LEARNERS FOR THE FUTURE
Today’s diverse and fast-changing world requires a multi-dimensional approach to learning. Our 21st-century skill-based curriculum focuses on the skills needed to best prepare our learners for tomorrow. Through hands-on, experiential, interdisciplinary learning, we foster creativity, collaboration, effective communication, problem solving, critical thinking, leadership, ethical decision-making, and character.
-
21ST-CENTURY SKILLS
SUPPORTS:
-
HANDS-ON LEARNING
PROBLEM SOLVING
Entrepreneurship is a mental mindset. It’s an attitude and approach that empowers dreamers to become doers. At AANSA, we seek active change rather than waiting to adapt to change. Our learners are encouraged to actively participate and pursue their interests and talents through exploration, intellectual curiosity, creativity and individual thought. We encourage risk-taking and embrace the possibility of failure as part of the journey.
-
SELF-DISCIPLINE
SUPPORTS:
-
INTEGRITY
.jpeg)
.jpg)
LEARN TO LEARN
Socratic discussions and self-paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.
LEARN TO DO
Hands-on quests for science, entrepreneurship, and the arts prepare children for apprenticeships and real wold challenges.
LEARN TO BE
The hero´s journey, relational covenants, and real-world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.
3 KEYS TO LEARNING
MULTI-AGE STUDIOS
Acton Academy North San Antonio 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 challenges. At Acton Academy NSA, we call our classrooms "studios" because students are learning through movement, exploration, and hands-on activities. Studios replace traditional classrooms and create a space for students of varying ages to learn together. They are being prepared to bring their own unique genius to the world.
HANDS-ON LEARNING
We believe the learning experience is much richer when the 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, we believe students learn by doing. Whether it’s launching a startup business, creating a tide-pool habitat, playing a musical instrument, painting a mosaic, or programming a robot, Acton Academy NSA students are building real-life skills in the studio every day.
DISCOVER PASSIONS,
FIND CALLINGS
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. Acton Academy North San Antonio 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.
The latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery of reading, writing, and math skills.
Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self-governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.
Hands-on project-based Quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world.
Written promises and covenants that form a bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and resolve interpersonal problems.
21ST CENTURY LEARNING
AS SEEN IN:
HEAR FROM THE
FOUNDERS OF ACTON ACADEMY
JEFF & LAURA SANDEFER
-
What is your tuition cost?*Elementary tuition is $1,000 per month for 11 months. *Honeybee Studio tuition is $1,100 per month for 11 months. * Bumblebee Studio tuition is $1,300 per month for 11 months. There is a $100 (non-refundable application fee), an $850 enrollment deposit and $300 supply fee due by August 1st annually. First month's tuition is due upon acceptance to hold the spot for your learner.
-
How do you use technology without students having too much screen time?At Acton Academy N San Antonio 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.
-
What kind of learner thrives at Acton Academy?Students who love to learn, are curious, self-motivated, and respectful. Our environment is an accelerator for the independent learner who can tackle challenging questions, follow instructions and solve problems
-
Is Acton Academy N San Antonio accredited?Yes the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools.
-
How do I know if it's the right fit for us?Each family is unique, though there are some similarities we’ve seen between the families who are happiest and most successful in this model. We encourage families to be intentional about their decision to apply! Please read “Courage to Grow” by Laura Sandefer, and reach out to us to schedule a time to meet
-
How is Acton Academy N San Antonio affiliated with Acton Academy?Acton Academy N San Antonio is part of the network of over 250+ Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that Jeff and Laura Sandefer helped create at the original Acton Academy campus over a decade ago
-
Do you offer scholarships?There are limited scholarship opportunities in our founding years. If you are interested in a scholarship, please let us know in your application. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please let us know. We are eager to share this opportunity with as many highly qualified applicants as possible.
-
Will children be grouped together by grades?We believe that children learn best when working with children 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 groups.
-
Is Acton Academy N San Antonio a religious school?We leave the teaching of religion up to individual families. Children and families of all faiths are welcome at Acton Academy N San Antonio.
-
What resources do you have for special needs?We take our commitment seriously when we promise to deliver a transformative education experience for young people at Acton Academy N San Antonio. Since we are a small school, we make sure that we have the resources necessary to keep this promise for each family that joins us. Currently we have resources to assist young people who experience mild ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and some minor forms of autism. We are not currently equipped to serve young people with other specific learning needs. Any child who needs significant 1-on-1 adult help or attention, would not be a good fit because it works against the whole effort to “get adults out of the equation as much as possible” to be learner-driven.
-
Is Acton Academy N San Antonio a Montessori school?We respect and incorporate much of Maria Montessori’s philosophy, but we are not an accredited Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands-on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.
-
What grades do you offer?Acton does not have specific grades but mixed age studios. Currently we have three studios for ages 2-11 year olds and will be expanding to accommodate additional ages based on the need.