What if children are far more capable than we imagine?

At Hero's Journey, an Acton Academy, we help children create their own path to success by developing the real world skills and character traits that matter most.

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“I am confident that any randomly-selected ten-year-old from Acton would have succeeded instantly where at least some MIT graduates failed.”Matt Greenfield, Rethink Education

“The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE school.”Heather Staker, Ready to Blend

"Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world."Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart

“The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE school.”Heather Staker, Ready to Blend

“I am confident that any randomly-selected ten-year-old from Acton would have succeeded instantly where at least some MIT graduates failed.”Matt Greenfield, Rethink Education

"Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world."Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart

What makes
Hero's Journey Academy, different?

Young people doing challenging work at their own pace.

Collaborating on real-world projects.

Earning points for effort and badges for mastery.

Sharing learning in a tightly bound community.

Using the latest technology to master reading, writing and math.

On a Hero’s Journey, with challenges, adventures, fellow travelers and guides.

School Design Comparison

Traditional School

Desks in rows with a teacher in front

Memorizing rules and facts

Report cards and grades measure success

One teacher lectures to many students

Worksheets like our grandparents used

Like a factory - bells, shifts, whistles, one size fits all

Hero's Journey Academy

Collaborative work like a tech company

Learn real skills and apply them to projects

Personalized goal setting and transparent tracking

Everyone's a teacher and everyone is a student

Cutting edge adaptive game based tech for core skills; professional tools for art, engineering, and storytelling.

Like a journey; with big goals, allies, mentors, tools, and a destination that matters.

The Elementary Studio

The Launchpad Studio

The Middle School Studio

Learner-driven communities run by heroes-in-the-making

Self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily by learners who use 21^st Century skills to tackle real world projects, inspired by classic heroes in a tightly bound community with extremely high standards.

Learn More About Our Studios

Learn more about how Acton Academy turns learning upside down.

"A remarkable book that captures the powerful journeys of Acton Academy’s founders, students, parent community, and — I hope — the future of education around the globe. Any school, whether traditional or innovative, will gain insights from this magical place.”

Ted Dintersmith
Education Author, Film Producer, and Philanthropist

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Our Hero's Learning Model

We believe there are 3 critical “C’s” that help learners build the knowledge, character, and skill they need to be their best, and we structure everything we do to maximize them.

Core Skill

Master foundational subjects at your pace. Emphasize love of learning through hands-on work and adaptive software. Foster learning how to learn, a vital lifelong skill.

Collaboration

Develop socially and emotionally through work and play. Engage with peers across age groups. Empower students to problem-solve, set goals, share ideas, collaborate, and exhibit leadership. Prepare learners for successful collaboration.

Creating

Make tangible projects by hand. Emphasize the journey of discovery over perfection. Embrace learning from failures and successes. Prioritize process over results, enabling students to build meaningful creations.

What if children are far more capable than we imagine?

What makes
Hero's Journey Academy, different?