Question 1

How is Acton Academy Stony Plain different?

Accepted Answer

Acton Academy Stony Plain is fundamentally different from traditional schools. Here, no bells ring, and there are no lectures. Our core mission is to empower learners to be in control of their own journey, driving their learning with purpose and self-discovery.

We replace the outdated models of traditional schooling with a dynamic, learner-centered philosophy centered on:

• Self-Paced Mastery: We use Mastery Learning (Badges instead of grades) to ensure learners advance only when they have truly mastered a concept.

• Real-World Application: Learning is driven by hands-on, multi-week Quests and Socratic discussions, not passive lectures.

• Agency and Accountability: Our Guides mentor, but learners take ownership through self-governance and collaboration in multi-age Studios.

• Time for Life: We maintain a No Homework Policy to prioritize family time and the pursuit of external passions.

For a detailed breakdown of our differences, please continue reading our FAQ and explore the resources on our About page.

Question 2

Is Acton Academy Stony Plain a Montessori School?

Accepted Answer

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but we are not a Montessori school. We have applied the best of Montessori methods: mixed-age studios, learner-directed meaningful work, large blocks of work time, learning through “discovery,” and freedom of movement in the studio. We believe it is possible to surpass this method by adding the following components:  project-based learning, the Socratic Method of discussion and the latest in educational game-based software.

Question 3

Does Acton Academy Stony Plain focus on a specific religion?

Accepted Answer

Acton Academy Stony Plain maintains a non-sectarian learning environment. While we introduce learners to the value of mindfulness, we fundamentally respect and affirm each individual's beliefs. We explore the significant roles various religions have played throughout history and in shaping cultures, but we do not promote any religious affiliation.

Question 4

What do you mean by "Hero's Journey", and why is it so integral to Acton Academy Stony Plain?

Accepted Answer

The Hero's Journey, or monomyth, is a classic narrative pattern identified by mythologist Joseph Campbell. It outlines the universal stages a protagonist (the "hero") undergoes during a great adventure, marked by transformation and ultimate success. At Acton, we see this pattern reflected in every learner's life:

• The Calling: We believe your child has a special calling or purpose they must discover.

• The Trials and Tests: The learning process, and life involves inevitable trials and tests (challenges, projects, failures, and growth). These must be faced with integrity and purpose.

• The Transformation: By overcoming these trials, the learner grows and transforms, gaining the character, skills, and self-knowledge needed to live a satisfying and fulfilled life.

Our mission is to prepare your child for this special, lifelong journey. We carefully design the learning environment, projects, and studio culture to encourage learners to embrace the hero's role; taking ownership, seeking creative solutions, failing forward, and ultimately achieving personal mastery. We empower them to be the protagonist of their own learning and their own life.

The Hero's Journey is fundamental to Acton's learning design. Learners reflect on their own journey and challenges while simultaneously studying how historical heroes and scholars navigated their own calls to adventure and roadblocks. This ensures the principles of courage, purpose, and integrity guide every aspect of their learning

Question 5

What do you mean by “every child can change the world”?

Accepted Answer

When we say "every child can change the world," we mean that every learner has the unique potential and inherent genius to make a meaningful contribution to society. This isn't about achieving global fame; it's about realizing their individual special calling and using it to serve others.

We begin with the belief that each of our learners is a genius—not just in terms of intellect, but in possessing a rare and powerful combination of talents. Our goal is to help them find a passion, something they deeply love and have a natural gift for. This discovery is the first step toward change.

The second step is application. Change happens when a learner uses their unique gift to serve others and fulfills a need they are passionate about in the world. Whether through innovation, invention, art, leadership, or simple acts of kindness and responsibility, they are actively making their community, or the world, better than they found it. We equip them with the mindset, skills, and courage to pursue this purpose, ensuring they leave a positive and lasting impact.

Question 6

Why do we put so much emphasis on Character and encourage a Growth Mindset?

Accepted Answer

We emphasize Character and  Growth Mindset because we view every learner as a Hero preparing for a special, lifelong journey.

When a learner adopts the Hero's perspective, they understand that challenges are opportunities for growth, not roadblocks. They learn to embrace responsibility, welcome difficult work, and act with integrity and kindness toward their allies. Our goal is to equip them with the resilience, perseverance, and grit that are far more critical than raw talent for achieving a fulfilled life and ultimately changing the world. This is the essence of the Growth Mindset: seeing one's abilities as fluid and constantly evolving through effort and purpose.

Question 7

Every child is a "genius"? Really?

Accepted Answer

We are absolutely serious about this belief, but we understand it requires clarity. We anchor our belief in the true definition of genius: "exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability."

Does this mean sky-high IQs? No. (We view the IQ score as a largely incomplete and unhelpful measurement of potential, anyway.) Is this simply code for "everyone deserves a trophy?" Absolutely not. We believe that while uniqueness is valuable, it is never a substitute for the pursuit of mastery, excellence, competence, and character.

Believing every child is a genius simply means we believe each person who walks through our doors possesses a special gift (or two!) that can change the world in a profound way. Our main goal is to equip and inspire them to discover, cultivate, and ultimately use these unique gifts to serve others and achieve a fulfilling life.

Question 8

Who was Lord Acton?

Accepted Answer

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 AASP, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.

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We know choosing a learner-driven environment sparks many important questions. This section provides honest, straightforward answers about our philosophy, the learning process, and how our community works. We believe the best education begins with a partnership based on trust and transparency.

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