A Hero's Journey for the
21st Century
Acton Academy offers a truly different approach to school- one that turns traditional education upside down and puts young people in the driver's seat of their own learning. There are no lectures, homework, or tests at Acton Academy. Instead, our unique approach gives each learner agency over their own goals, and challenges each student through real-world, collaborative, hands-on projects and experiences, combined with the latest in educational technology.
Acton Academy empowers students on their own unique Hero's Journey to discover their gifts, become the best version of themselves, to learn how to think, not what to think, to explore what they are passionate about, and to learn to use their gifts and talents to change the world for the better!
WHAT MAKES ACTON ACADEMY DIFFERENT?
It's Learner Driven
Our collaborative, mixed-age studios allow learners to work together on meaningful, hands-on projects incorporating science, technology, social studies, art, and entrepreneurship.
For core subjects like math, phonics, spelling and grammar, we use the latest in adaptive technology, and hands on manipulatives and materials, which allow students to learn at the level that is exactly right for them.
We empower young people to take charge of their learning by helping them set and achieve goals, manage their time, and work at their own pace.
Being learner-driven, our Heroes are given the opportunity to make important leadership decisions regarding the operation and environment of their studio.
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It's purposful
There are no grades, homework, or tests. Instead we are focused on authentic learning...learning by doing. Our students complete real world, hands-on projects, quests, and apprenticeships to make learning meaningful, purposeful, and engaging. Learners demonstrate knowledge and growth through community learning exhibitions and demonstrations.
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We promote an entrepreneurial mindset that encourages our young people to develop their business ideas, creations and inventions, and bring them to fruition in the real world.
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it's socratic
Instead of teachers who lecture, we have Socratic Guides who inspire, equip, and connect. Our Guides use the Socratic Method to help learners discover answers for themselves, instead of telling them what and how to think.
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Our Heroes also participate in daily Socratic discussions to help foster critical thinking, perspective taking, and self-awareness.
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Our Socratic learning environment helps nurture independent thinkers, who look beyond surface level to come to a deep understanding of the people and world around them.
It's character focused
In addition to working with minds and hands, our Heroes also practice strengthening their character. Accountability, integrity, compassion, teamwork, grit, and perseverance are all honored and encouraged here. We want young people to understand that failure is a necessary part of the learning process, and is where true learning lies- learning from our mistakes.
We want our students to care deeply about their world and the issues of our time, and understand they have the ability play an active role in making their community and their world a better place.
IT'S FLEXIBLE!
We offer a variety of program options to meet the varying needs of families
OUR PROMISES TO YOUR CHILD
We will encourage each member of our community to:
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Begin a Hero's Journey
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Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner
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Discover their most precious gifts, and learn to use them to solve difficult problems
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Develop a deep respect for religious, political, personal health, and economic freedom, and understand the responsibility that comes with it
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Understand the importance of strong character
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Cherish the arts, wonders of the natural world, and the mysteries of life on Earth
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Have precious time to spend with family, friends, and passions outside of the studio, as there is no required homework at Acton Academy. We also have additional breaks throughout the year so families can travel and spend quality time together.
INSPIRED TO LEARN MORE?
A look inside the studios of Acton Academy Main Campus in Austin, Texas
ACTON ACADEMY
Click the above link to read Laura Sandefer's blog for parents, and listen to podcasts featuring Acton Academy
WHY WE STARTED
ACTON ACADEMY SANTA CRUZ ...
Carol Bowles, M.A.
Co-Founder
Head of Program
Discovery Guide
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Welcome to Acton Academy Santa Cruz! I'm Carol, and I'm the mom of three amazing children, an educator, the director of a private school satellite program for home-schoolers, and a homeschool parent myself. I hold a master's degree in education from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and have been a teacher (in various forms and formats) for the past 20 years. I have always been passionate about alternative education, and have spent my years as a teacher and parent trying to shake up the system from within and from without- striving to bring more child-centered ways of learning, doing, and being to my classrooms and to my own family.
After seeing the effects of traditional education on my children (loss of curiosity, lack of engagement, loss for a love of learning) I began homeschooling them, and through that amazing process it became my dream to one day open my own learner-driven program: a place where all students' gifts and passions could shine, where they had agency over their own time and learning goals, where they could work on real-world skills and delve deeply into topics they cared about, and ultimately where they could thrive and lead a joy-filled, purposeful life.
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When I serendipitously learned about the Acton Academy model from my dear friends (and Co-Founders), Annabelle and Eric Drake, and realized families could start their own unique affiliates, I knew I found what I had been dreaming of!
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The Drakes and I are so excited to bring Acton Academy Santa Cruz to our families and to yours, and we invite you to join us on the Hero's Journey of a lifetime!
Carol Bowles
What more do we want for our children than for them to grow into wonder-filled humans who love learning, conquer challenges, and discover a calling that will change the world?
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We’re Annabelle and Eric Drake, co-founders of Acton Academy Santa Cruz. Our journey began as parents seeking a better educational experience for our children. Watching our older son lose confidence and creativity in a traditional school, we realized it wasn’t working for our family. We transitioned to homeschooling and joined a vibrant community that valued freedom, personal choice, and experiential learning. Along the way, we discovered how essential character building is to nurturing young people who can lead meaningful lives and make a positive impact on the world.
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In 2021, we discovered Acton Academy and knew it aligned with our vision: empowering young learners to explore big questions like, “Who am I becoming?" and "How can I improve the world?” Acton isn’t about grades or conformity—it’s about developing creativity, critical thinking, and a love for learning.
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We live with our family on a small homestead in the Santa Cruz Mountains, surrounded by goats, dogs, poultry, rabbits, and the beauty of the redwoods. Annabelle’s passion for permaculture studies inspires her approach to education, while Eric brings a creative perspective shaped by his background in business, literature, and architecture.
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We’re excited to guide Acton learners in their quest to find their unique genius and make a difference in the world!
Annabelle and Eric Drake
Annabelle Drake, B.F.A.
Co-Founder
Head of Operations
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Eric Drake, M.B.A.
Co-Founder
Head of Innovation and Experience
Finance Director
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Important Dates 2024-2025
Beginning of the Year Celebration
Sunday, August 25th 2:00-4:00
Session #1
Sept 3 - Oct 4 (5 weeks)
Fall Break: Oct. 7-11
* Off September 20th for Family Camping Trip
Session #2
Oct 15 - Nov 22 (6 weeks)
Thanksgiving Break: Nov 25-29
Session #3
Dec 2 - Dec 20 (3 weeks)
Winter Holiday Break: Dec 23-Jan 10
Session #4
Jan 13 - Feb 14 (5 weeks)
Winter Break #2: Feb 17-21
Session #5
Feb 24 - Apr 4 (6 weeks)
Spring Break #1 : Apr 7-11
Session #6
Apr 14 - May 16 (5 weeks)
Spring Break #2 (w/ Memorial Day) May 19-26
Session #7
May 27 - June 12 (3 weeks)
*Off Friday, June 13 (Staff Workday)
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No class on the following holidays:
Monday, September 2 (Labor Day)
Monday, October 14 (Columbus Day
Monday, November 11 (Veteran’s Day)
Monday, Jan 20 (Martin Luther King Jr.)
Monday, Feb 17 (President’s Day, during break)
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day)