Welcome to the Info Kit.
A special message + a gift from our family to yours.
STEP 1 - You're Here
Research
In this step, you'll explore Acton to decide if it might be a fit.
STEP 2
Visit
In this step, you'll come visit our campus so you can observe and ask questions.
STEP 3
Audition
In this step, your child will visit for a day to see if they are ready for the journey at Acton.
We'll help you answer three big questions.
01
What is Acton?
We'll share what Acton is and what it isn't, along with resources that have inspired families like yours.
02
Is my family ready?
Not everyone is ready for an Acton experience. We'll share what it will take and help you decide if your family is ready.
03
How do we enroll?
We'll share when you can enroll, what it will cost, and if you qualify for any financial assistance.
Question 1: What is Acton Academy?
Start with this award winning video on Acton Academy.
Disruptive Education
Read the story that started it all.
Laura and Jeff started Acton Academy in 2009 with a simple belief and a small group of committed families. Today, Acton is a global network of 300 campuses in 30 countries, empowering learners to take charge of their learning—and their lives. Read Laura’s inspiring story about why they started, their biggest failures, and the surprising lessons they learned along the way.
"A game-changer for parents and educators alike! This book gives real insight into how we can radically rethink education, and it challenges conventional beliefs in a way that sparks action."
— Educator and Parent
"This book opened my eyes to the potential every child has when given the freedom to own their learning. It’s a must-read for anyone who believes education can and should be transformative."
— Acton Parent
"A bold and refreshing look at education that empowers children to lead their own journeys. This book is filled with honesty, wisdom, and a clear vision for the future of learning."
— Education Innovator
"The insights in this book were a revelation. It shows how to cultivate independent, resilient, and curious learners—something every parent should consider for their child’s future."
— Parent Advocate for Child Development
"Laura and Jeff share not just their vision but also the hard lessons they learned along the way. This book is inspiring, motivating, and filled with practical wisdom for families and educators who want to create a new path in education."
— Montessori Educator
What's a day look like for an Acton learner?
"A Day in the Life" - Acton Academy
Dive into these stories from Laura, Jeff, and Jake
Laura Sandefer on Dad Saves America
"Educate Your Children!" Podcast with Jeff Sandefer and Jordan Peterson
"What We Missed in Education" TEDx by Jake Thompson
Our approach is designed for learners, not for bureaucracies
Three Types of Learning:
Learning to Learn.
Young people learn how to learn first. When good habits are formed, learning comes faster, with more depth, and in way that preserves natural curiosity and love of learning.
Learning to Do.
Real learning is active, which is why we replace worksheets, essays, lectures, and tests with real world, hands-on experiences that invite learners to develop real skills and discover deep passions.
Learning to Be.
Much like the real world, learners face monsters that take them off course; the resistance to doing the hard-important thing, staying focused on long term goals when distraction is near, and feeling like you are a helpless victim, rather than the hero of your own story. When learners face these challenges with courage, grit, and determination, they learn to be.
Our promises to your child are that he or she will:
Embark on a Hero's Journey
Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner
Develop a deep respect for economic, political, and religious freedoms
Discover his or her most precious gifts and learn to use them to serve others
Cherish the arts, wonders of the world, and the pursuit of truth
Question 2: Is my family ready?
Are you on a hero's journey?
What real Acton families share is a belief that life is an adventure, and that through facing real challenges with courage and determination we get to transform into a more confident, capable version of ourselves. That's what we call the hero's journey.
Big questions for parents:
Am I ready to let go of traditional expectations and embrace a more flexible, learner-driven approach to my child’s education?
How comfortable am I with giving my child the freedom to make decisions about their own learning, even if it means stepping back?
Am I prepared to support my child in facing challenges and setbacks without rushing in to fix things for them?
Do I believe that my child’s growth and success will come more from independence and resilience than from following a structured curriculum?
Am I willing to trust the process and give my child the space to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them?
Big questions for learners:
Am I ready to take charge of my learning, even if I'm not good at it yet?
Am I willing to take risks, try new things, and learn from my mistakes?
Am I ready to take responsibility for my choices and the natural consequences that come with them?
Am I willing to do my best, work hard, and have fun?
You might be a fit if...
You believe your child has unique gifts that can be used to change the world
You don't believe the traditional model is working for most children
you try to maximize freedom and accountability at home
you believe Learning Happens Best by Doing
you've done courageous things in your own life
you believe Experience is the Best Teacher
You might NOT be a fit if...
you don't believe your child will generally make good choices of their own volition
you rarely hold your child accountable or offer boundaries at home
Both parents aren't on board
you don't feel acton deeply aligns with your beliefs
your looking for a short term solution or for one difficult child
you don't see yourself on your own hero's journey
Family Promises
As a Parent at Acton Academy, I promise to:
Choose a Hero’s Journey for myself. At Acton Academy, we believe the Hero’s Journey is for everyone—not just children. Parents commit to embracing challenges, learning from failure, and rejecting victimhood. They seek growth through books, meaningful work, and self-improvement— showing their children that the Hero’s Journey is a lifelong adventure.
Embrace Acton Academy as a self-paced, learner-driven environment. At Acton, real learning doesn’t follow a rigid schedule. Parents trust their children to take ownership of their education, relationships, and community. They see character and habits as the foundation of learning and embrace the ups and downs of growth.
Allow my child to fail early, cheaply, and often. Failure is a necessary part of growth. Parents at Acton resist the urge to rescue or fix; instead, they trust the studio environment and tools designed for learners to solve their own problems. They see their child not as a victim, but as a hero capable of courageous action.
Celebrate progress and reinforce responsible choices at home. True learning takes time and reflection. Acton parents stay curious, recognize opportunities to celebrate effort, and remove distractions like gaming, social media, or excessive screen time. They establish clear boundaries and offer real responsibility—fostering deep work, creativity, and growth at home.
As a Learner at Acton Academy, I promise to:
Work hard and play hard. Acton learners give their best effort and celebrate life with joy, curiosity, and fun.
Make courageous choices. Acton learners step outside their comfort zones, face challenges with courage, and stand for what is right.
Keep my promises and take responsibility for my actions. When they fall short, Acton learners own their mistakes and accept natural consequences—growing stronger with each experience.
Question 3: How do we enroll?
We have rolling admissions and you are welcome to audition and start at anytime during the year
Daily Schedule
Each day is broken up into work sprints with a shared purpose or goal.
Annual Calendar
Each year is broken up into 7 session with breaks between.
We're centrally located in the valley
Tuition Information
Annual tuition:
$8,700
for Spark and Discovery (roughly 4-11 years old)
$9,700
for Adventure and Launchpad (roughly 12-18 years old)
Enrollment Fee:
$500
+ Chromebook
We cover 100% of all other expenses
(Learners in Spark will not need a Chromebook until they move to Discovery around age 7)
Payment Options:
Annual Pay
10 Payments from September - June.
Tuition Assistance
The state of Idaho offers $5,000 per year per learner for Idaho families through the Parent Choice Tax Credit. This is the best source of tuition assitance.
If you have additional need, in some cases we can award an additional 25% scholarship.
Our goal is to find like-minded families who deeply align with our vision and purpose. We rarely say no to great families.
Founders of Heroes Academy along with their five children; Traegan (left), then Isaac, Jojo, JT, and Adri
From Our Family To Yours
What we saw in Acton Academy a decade ago changed our lives forever. We feel lucky to have found it so early.
Our oldest daughter is growing into a remarkable young lady. She continues to choose Acton Academy because she feels the joy of meaningful work and strong community. She's faced challenges in mastering math, interpersonal conflicts with friends, and developing strong habits of hard work. Those challenges have already shaped her into a remarkable young woman.
Our oldest son struggled with reading. It took him until he was 8 years old, but I now catch him deep in a book nearly every day. We're so grateful we didn't extinguish that small flame.
Our third son has taught us that hard work is not age based. He is naturally determined and we see it every day as he tackles his learning inside and outside the studio.
Our fourth is just getting started and loves going to school every day.
Soon, our fifth and last child will start his adventure to discover his most precious gifts and to find a calling that will change the world.
There are two things I'll leave you with. First is Acton really is a magical place where young people are truly set free to become who they are destined to be. Second, and maybe more importantly, it's messy, we make lots of mistakes, and we learn something new every day.
It's an honor for us to bring Acton Academy to our community. It's truly a reimagining of education; the question for you is, are you courageous enough to join us?
Next Steps...
STEP 1 - You're Here
Research
In this step, you'll dig deep into the best books, videos, and podcasts about Acton in our free Info Kit.
STEP 2
Visit
In this step, you'll come visit our campus so you can observe and ask questions.
STEP 3
Audition
In this step, your child will visit for a day to see if they are ready for the journey at Acton.
Other frequently asked questions
WHAT GRADES DO YOU OFFER?
We currently offer grades PK-12. Learners must be 4.5 years of age or older to begin in our Spark Studio.
HOW LONG ARE YOU IN SESSION EACH YEAR AND WHAT IS THE SCHOOL CALENDAR?
We operate on an 10 month calendar. Learners will partake in 5-6 week sprints, each built around the theme of a separate quest. Each sprint is followed by a week off. This flexible program allows families to travel together during the year without significant disruption.
IS ACTON ACADEMY A MONTESSORI SCHOOL?
We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy, yet we are not a pure Montessori school. Our Spark Studio is Montessori based, but also uses hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions. Our Elementary and Middle School studios utilize the latest in game-based technology to build on this Montessori foundation to build a strong learner-driven, individualized education.
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.
ARE YOU ACCREDITED?
Yes, the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools.
WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER?
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.
WHAT RESOURCES DO YOU HAVE FOR KIDS WITH SPECIAL LEARNING NEEDS?
We take our commitment seriously when we say we are a school for anyone, but we won't be for everyone. Since we are a small school, we do our best to have the resources necessary to keep this promise for each family that joins us, however we are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities. Currently we have had success with young people who experience ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and some minor forms of autism. We are not currently equipped to serve young people with other specific learning needs.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "EVERY CHILD CAN CHANGE THE WORLD"?
We believe each of our students will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people’s day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child’s eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero’s Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people’s lives.
WHY DO YOU FOCUS ON TEACHING THE "AMERICAN EXPERIMENT"?
We believe in liberty and justice and the ideals of the American revolution as the cornerstones of civilization. In addition to experiential learning, we will study the American documents and the true meaning behind them, as we examine other cultures and forms of government.
WILL CHILDREN BE GROUPED TOGETHER BY AGE?
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.
WHAT IS A "LEARNER DRIVEN COMMUNITY"?
At Acton Academy, the students run the studio (classroom) by agreeing together what their rules are for behavior and treatment of one another. These are called their “Studio Covenants” and “Rules of Engagement”. In the elementary studio especially, they are provided with appropriate guidance throughout this process. These rules and covenants are prominently displayed in the studio and revisited. Often, these are revised by the students as they work through challenges and discover better ways of interacting with one another. Students also budget their time and choose their areas of focus for the day and adjust these based on their performance. We believe strongly that students achieve more when they have control of their learning.
WHY A LEARNER DRIVEN COMMUNITY?
At Acton Academy, we believe in learning to be and learning to do! 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.
HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM WITHOUT STUDENTS HAVING TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME?
At Acton Academy, 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.
CAN MY CHILD GO TO COLLEGE?
Of course. If your child sees college as important on their hero's journey they will be well prepared with a strong transcript, powerful writing skills, and most importantly, a sense of who they are and where they are going.
Acton Academy learners have been accepted into some of the top colleges and universities in the world.
Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy
Acton Academy admits learners and affiliates of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students via online school presence. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
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