Then maybe Acton Hybrid Academy for Homeschoolers will be a fit for your family or maybe just one or some of your students. We launched September 1st 2020. Read & watch the recommended videos and consider joining us at an upcoming event.

Who? Students ages 8 & up looking for a Christ-centered student directed program.

Please note: our goal is to serve homeschool families and have found it's best the family has been homeschooling at least six months & potential learners are reading independently prior to joining.

What? A 21st century One Room School house based on Montessori project based model that meets two days a week & equips the students to continue those assignments at home.

Where? Beyond Church - behind Safeway in Castle Rock, CO.

When? Tues & Thurs from 8:45 to 3:30 for 28 weeks end of Aug through April. We currently have 2 studios (ages 8-11 & ages 12-16) with 10-14 students each led by a paid parent -guide (not a certified teacher).

Why? To fill a need in our family & community for a student-driven education with a one room schoolhouse model. That offers a Christian option for home educators to continue through graduation with support & community.

Tuition & fees? We are a private faith-based homeschool support academy and want to keep this as affordable as possible. We are a non-profit business that will use the tuition to pay for our adult guides, rent, supplies, & admin fees. We offer quarterly or semester payment options which includes all CORE classes & electives you will need for the days not at the academy, projects & fun (some families include extra classes at their own expense, it is welcomed, yet not required). Scholarships may be available upon request.

The costs:

$125 non-refundable application fee per student due prior to shadow day

$1,000/semester per student (14 wks in the fall, 14 wks in the spring) due in July & January

$150-350/semester per family facility fee based on number of enrolled families

Looking to offset the costs? We are now taking inquiries for substitute &/or part-time guide positions for middle & high school to start on-the-job training now for 2023-24 school year. Learn more here and apply today!

Check out our FAQ page and our Slide show of our past school years to learn more!

From our sister academies (there are over 200+ world wide) experience:
"Some students try to fit in. Ours learn to stand out. Acton students grow in character and learn to express themselves with confidence, courage, and creativity. Students complete core skills at their own pace. Real world hands-on projects develop leadership, creativity, and teamwork. We help children find a calling so they can change the world. "

Academy Tour: As of April 27th, 2023 we are on summer break and taking names for a tour in the summer for possible openings for Fall of 2023.

Due to the unique learning model, it's imperative to see for yourself (& potential students) how we function with guides vs professional teachers, learning plans vs curriculum and no tests.

Exhibition/ where current learners showcase their work from the current session: Our next Exhibition will be in Oct of 2023. All are welcome & encouraged to attend!

Annual Business Fair: All young entrepreneurs are welcome to sign up to sell and/or shop at our next fair scheduled for October 14th, 2023 @ Douglas County Fairgrounds. More details here.

Join us for one or all of these events: RSVP via this link to schedule a 15 min call or email Colleen @CSprister@actonhybrid.com if you would like to join another event.

Then how will students learn?

1. CORE SKILLS
2. QUESTS
3. APPRENTICESHIPS

As in any environment we have words & ideas that are specific to us, we believe it's important to know the definition of each term, here are a few Acton families use regularly:

Heroes = our Acton Academy students
Heroes Journey = the journey each student is on to be inspired to use their most special gifts, in a way that brings great joy, to solve a deep burning need in the world.

Studio = a group of similar age students with a adult Guide that works independently & together. (Our Castle Rock location plans to start with two studios = middle & high school)

Guide = the adult leader of the studio that will guide the Socratic conversations, keep students accountable, & inspire them on their heroes journey

Core skills = reading, writing, & math completed online using state-of the art learning software & Socratic discussion

Quests = Competing and collaborating in a game-like series of real world projects to learn 21st Century Skills.

Apprenticeships = Experimenting with entrepreneurs, scientists and community leaders,honing your most precious gifts and talents until you find a “calling” in life.

Five steps (can be completed out of order) to see if our academy is a possible fit for your student(s).

#1 WATCH: Watch two or more these videos with your learner(s) prior to Tour:

• Jeff Sandefer's TEDx Talk (19:15)
• Acton Academy - Disruptive Education (14:56)
• A Virtual Tour of Acton in 2012 (8:27)
• Acton Academy - A Day in the Life in 2015 (12:58)
• Interviews & Tour of Launchpad /High School (2:37)
• read through Acton blog on being an Acton parent

#2 TOUR & SHADOW DAY: Attend a tour & overview with your potential student(s).

• Tour Sign up here & a 15 min phone call. As of April 27th, 2023 we are on summer break & will offer tours in late June and early July. Dates TBD

• After attending a TOUR... consider having your potential students join us for a SHADOW DAY where potential student(s) get to see a full day of Acton for themselves.

1. review potential dates & save your spot here for the shadow day
2. complete our student application
3. pay $125 non-refundable application fee to csprister@actonhybrid.com via Zelle or Venmo at https://www.venmo.com/u/Colleen-Sprister to confirm your spot(s) for the shadow day.

#3 READ: Both parents are asked to read the "Courage to Grow" & moms please read "The four hour school day/ how to thrive in homeschool life" to see if our model of education could be a potential fit for your family.

• Get a free copy from me or order the book (on Audible or for kindle) "Courage to Grow" by the founders of Acton Academy

• The Four-Hour School Day FREE audio book on hoopla digital. https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/13775033

• Listen to this podcast from our founders of Acton in TX and/or this one with Jordan Peterson on educating our children.

#4 LEARN: Review these documents to understand how our two day homeschool support academy is different than other 5 day Acton Academy's:

• Parent resource document: includes the 10 essentials of an Acton Academy, learning plan, & more.

• Slide show of our past school years: shows specifics of what we offer and do at our two-day faith based academy.

• FAQ page: lists the most frequently asked questions and answers.

• Parent contracts: to be completed after acceptance.

#5 APPLICATION INTERVIEW: Once you have finished your research & feel confident this is a great fit for your family.

• sign up for a time for the interviews here

• parents complete the interview questions from your research prior to the interview

• students complete the Hero Interview Quest to finish prior to the interview.

Chromebooks

New families are asked to purchase their own Chromebooks for each enrolled learner. I have found some great used ones on Facebook marketplace for $60-150 or on amazon for under $200. We prefer ones with screens 14inch or larger & you must confirm they have google play to download Teaching Textbooks. My computer guy recommends Asus or HP but it's up to your family which brand and features you would like. We will ask students to complete a factory reset if you use it prior to starting school at which time we will add in all the safe guards with go-guardian.

We are seeking a Guide Apprentice to begin one or two days a week and if it's a great fit to transition to two days in January coaching/mentoring middle & high school students.

The ideal candidate is:

✔passionate about Christ

✔life long love of learning & asking questions

✔passion to coach/encourage/mentor teens

✔curious, creative & teachable

Our mission is to help our learners find their God-given calling to change the world. Learn more here.