Our approach helps your child become a lifelong learner who uses their natural gifts to solve difficult problems.

At Acton Buckhead, your child embarks upon what we call the Hero’s Journey


The Hero’s Journey is a series of adventures designed to prepare children for the challenges and opportunities of the real world. As children complete this journey, they:

Learn to be curious, independent, lifelong learners

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 their most precious gifts and bring them to bear upon major challenges

The Hero’s Journey fosters three different types of learning


1. Learning to Learn

Socratic discussions and self-paced challenges inspire curiosity, independent thinking, and the motivation to solve problems.

2. Learning to Do

Hands-on quests for science, entrepreneurship, and the arts connect learning to action and prepare children for real-world challenges.

3. Learning to Be

Difficult decisions become virtuous habits, which help children discover their personal gifts and develop the character of a hero.

The Acton method imparts core academic skills without lectures, top-down commands from teachers, or standardized tests.

As your child completes the Hero’s Journey, they build a strong foundation of core skills. From that foundation, they actively work to solve real-world problems, integrate knowledge from different disciplines, and develop an understanding of their place in the world.

How we measure learning at Acton

Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by:

Earning badges:

Parents monitor their child’s “Learn to Be” badges to track progress in the core skills of reading, writing, math, spelling, and character development.

Assembling portfolios:

Electronic and hard copy portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, videos, and other creative work.

Participating in public exhibitions:

Young heroes present work to experts, customers, or the public for a real-world appraisal.

We are a learner-driven community


Whether we’re talking about the Hero’s Journey, quests and badges, or the three types of learning, the most noticeable aspect of the Acton approach is this:

Learners, not teachers or administrators, decide how to learn.

A learner-driven environment forms the entire foundation of the Acton method. By taking ownership of their own education, your child can finally discover the joy of being a lifelong learner.

Guides, not teachers, facilitate the Hero’s Journey

Guides only answer learners’ questions with new questions, allowing your child to work toward a solution and make his or her own discoveries.

Learners create and sign a Contract of Promises

describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.

Mentor teams

encourage listening, affirmation, and goal setting to hold one another accountable.
This learner-driven community champions growth, progress, and character. As a result, children grow into motivated citizens who tap into their natural gifts to address formidable challenges.

You’re going to be amazed by your child’s achievements.

Show your child what it’s like to truly love learning.

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