FAQ
Acton is the next level...
Montessori develops basic individual needs that form strong building blocks for more and more advanced skills. However, there is a limit to how far the tower can be built with Montessori lessons.
Maria Montessori’s work was developed for Kindergarten and younger. Schools that promise Montessori above Kindergarten are stretching the teachings through their own interpretation. Montessori herself did not leave us with these teachings.
We believe Acton is the next level because it takes the stable foundation of Montessori and builds onto it with innovative bricks that result in a stronger education, truly unique and special to each learner–
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cultivating independence and curiosity (Montessori),
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building the skills and morals to be a capable team member and leader (Acton),
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and then igniting the spark for deeper learning in the ways they will ultimately change or improve the world (Acton NGA, college, internships, etc).
Does my child have to attend Montessori before Acton?
No. We have many Tribe members who never learned Montessori methodology, who joined Evoke in elementary or middle school. However, if your child is still under four, we strongly recommend Montessori for preschool. We also use Montessori and Reggio theory in our lower level Sparks Studio (ages 4-6). Learn more about Sparks here.
Learners who do best at Evoke Acton Academy, are curious about the world and they are interested in the future, despite their prior learning environment.
To find out more about the type of learners who thrive at Acton, read more here.
We opened Evoke because our oldest child came to us one day after five years of Montessori and said, “I am done with Montessori. I’ve completed the same lessons five times now, and I am bored.” She was nine years old, and we understood what she meant.
Montessori is the best foundation to prepare a child for independence. All of our children experienced Montessori from birth, and we loved watching them grow into capable problem solvers.
Montessori & Acton
What's the difference?
Is Acton Academy a Montessori or Reggio school?
Yes, at our youngest levels our learners are immersed in a Montessori and Reggio environment. Here they lay the foundations of concrete conceptualization (hands on math and language materials), independence, and intrinsic motivation.
However, by age 7, our learners are moving into a self-governed community of critical thinking friends, where Montessori and Reggio are not forgotten, but have become the solid foundation to prepare for a future career or life passion.
How much time do learners spend on computers?
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Sparks (Pk4-1st grade) spend 0 to 15 minutes a day on computers.
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ES & MS learners spend up to 2.5 hours on computers, out of a 7-8 hour day.
"Boredom is the result of a curious mind being stifled by the limitations of traditional schooling."
Will my child be pushed to excel?
We do not push learners. We are very interested in seeing all of our learners succeed and become strong leaders, but every child works at their own pace. We have found that about 90% of learners will stay on track without being nagged to finish their work. When learners are "pushed" they can become frustrated and disenchanted with school. That's just not what we do here. We want our Tribe to LOVE learning.
How does a learner move to the next level?
Eagles soar to the next level, grade, or studio by achieving a set of badges for core skills mastery and group projects each year. Moving to the next level can happen in the middle of a school year, but the normal pace is a full school year.
How does Acton Academy measure mastery?
Mastery is crucial to learning because without it we are left with gaps in knowledge. We do not give badges for subpar work, nor do we "pass" a student before they are ready to move to the next level.
Mastery at Evoke is determined by 100% completion. It may be measured by progress on a particular learning platform, or it might be a final project that receives approval by peers and guides showing the learner fully understands the topic.
Why is mastery so important?
Let's refer back to our tower analogy-
Mastery learning (Acton Academy) is like making sure each layer of the tower is solid, flat, and stable before you add the next one. It takes a bit more time, but the tower grows taller and stronger without wobbling.
Partial learning (traditional education model) is like stacking blocks quickly without checking if the lower layers are steady. At first, the tower looks tall, but as you keep adding blocks, it starts to lean, shake, and eventually collapse.
Is Acton Academy Northshore Campus a religious school?
We are a secular environment open to both religious and non-religious families, exposing children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stressing the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization. We avoid discussions on religious or political extremes, as it is not our place to discuss polarizing topics with your children.
Does Acton Academy Northshore serve children with special needs?
We are not trained to serve children with severe learning disabilities; however, we have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia and speech impairments if they receive regular therapy outside of school.
Self-paced learning does not work for children who lack motivation or struggle with responsibility.
Due to the freedoms given at our school, it is necessary for learners to be able to self-regulate, follow directions, cooperate with the other children and guides, be on time to school each day, and be fully present most of the time.
However, willingness to be a team player is most important.
What do you mean by “every child can change the world”?
We believe each of our students will find a passion--
They will use their gifts to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. They may become engineers or doctors who change modern medicine; or perhaps they will become explorers who discover new planets or physicists who discover safe ways to live in space; they may become business leaders guided by compassion and integrity; or perhaps they will be artists, performers, or writers who bring beauty to people’s lives. Whatever the choose to do, they will enter the world ready to change it.
Who was Lord Acton?
Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. At the Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.
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.
Next Step
IS YOUR FAMILY READY FOR ACTON?
This unique method of learning is drastically different from the traditional model of education, especially that of public school. While many learners flourish here, it's not the right school for everyone. Families must be 100% committed and ready for a change. What type of learners and parents fit best?
