How is Acton Academy Essex County affiliated with Acton Academy?

Acton Academy Essex County is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that our owners helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.

What grades do you offer?

• The Spark Studio (ages 4-6) and Elementary Studio (ages 6-11).
• The Middle School Studio (ages 11-14) as soon as enrollment dictates.
  
• We will also be launching The Launchpad Studio (ages 14-18) soon; please reach out to us for more information.
  

Where is your school located?

Acton Academy Essex County is centrally located at 20 Hill Street, Verona, NJ 07044

How long is Acton Academy Essex County in session each year?

We operate from September to July; this calendar allows for our students to have extended breaks throughout the year and maintains their interests and retention by shortening the summer break.

Our flexible program allows families to travel together throughout the year without sacrificing any learning.

Is Acton Academy Essex County a Montessori school?

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but, we are not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.

Is Acton Academy Essex County a religious school?

We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike.

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. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." 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.

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 do you mean by a "running partner"?

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.

Will children be grouped into grades?

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.

Does Acton Academy Essex County serve special needs children?

We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.

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.