Is Acton Academy Estero a commercial school?
No, we're a private home education program which is a parent-directed educational option that satisfies Florida's compulsory education requirements. Acton Academy Estero is a unique educational environment where the majority of learners' time is spent outdoors.
How is Acton Academy Estero affiliated with Acton Academy?
Acton Academy Estero is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies worldwide. 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?
Currently offering:
• The Spark Studio (ages 5-7)
• Elementary Studio (ages 7-12)
• Elementary + Studio (lower middle school ages)
We will be launching:
• The Middle School Studio (ages 11-14) as soon as enrollment dictates.
• The Launchpad Studio(ages 14-18) as soon as enrollment dictates.
Are you a non-profit?
Yes. Acton Academy Estero is part of Regen Ministries, a 508(c)(1)(a) faith based organization. We are a church founded on 3 principles. First, we use regenerative agriculture principles to grow food with integrity on our farm and we teach these principles to young people, the next generation of farmers. Second, we are on a mission of educational renewal, countering the Marxist, atheistic ideology that corrupts the faculties of education. Third, we are a church on a mission of revival, aimed at returning our culture to one that reflects the Judeo-Christian tradition on which the founding fathers pledged their lives.
How long is the school year?
Acton Academy Estero offers a unique school year structure, consisting of seven sessions that each last between three to six weeks. Each session culminates in an Exhibition, after which students enjoy a week-long break. Additionally, learners receive a summer break of approximately six weeks, allowing ample time to refresh and prepare for the upcoming year.
What is your tuition?
Our annual tuition for all ages is $14,300. There is an additional non-refundable enrollment fee of $500 due in July to secure your space each year. We offer a 10% discount for each additional student from the same family. We accept Florida Step Up for Students PEP and UA scholarships.
Do you accept the Florida Step Up for Students scholarships?
Yes, we are approved by Step Up to accept the PEP and UA scholarships.
Is the Acton Academy 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 Estero a religious school?
We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike and expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical and moral importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization and our country. In keeping with the hero's journey, we study heroes of the Bible, how they overcame challenges, and the lessons they left which young people can apply to their own lives. No dogma or rigid doctrine is taught, and we encourage children's curiosity with faith and spirituality through questioning and seeking their own answers. As strong Believers ourselves, we believe Christianity is worth pursuing; we will model Christian behavior in and outside of the Studios and will guide from a Biblical worldview. However, we leave the decision to become followers of Christ to the learners.
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 Estero 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.
