Learning Design

Over 300 Locations in Over 30 Countries

21st Century Learning

  • The latest in educational technology for self paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.

  • Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.

  • Hands-on project based Quests to master the tools and skills needed to solve problems in the real world.

  • Written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and honestly resolve interpersonal problems.

A Learner Driven Community

  • Learners create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.

  • Mentor teams encourage younger and older learners to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.

  • "Learn to Be" badges celebrate character, communication, and leadership skills.

Learn to Know

Our learners master the foundations of reading, writing and math during daily core skills time. We replace external motivators like high-stakes test scores and grades with an intrinsic growth mindset. Students work with a guide to differentiate their core curriculum and progress at their own pace utilizing a blend of hands-on and online learning tools. They showcase their mastery by meeting their goals, earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions of their work.

Learn to Learn

Each day, learners cultivate critical thinking and decision-making skills through Socratic discussions and individual reflection time. Among supportive and engaged peers, they own the learning experience and embrace the idea that real growth is hard work - just like developing a muscle. As they "learn to learn," they understand the importance of challenging themselves, asking good questions, taking risks, and remaining curious about the world around them.

Learn to Do

We believe children learn best by doing. Whether it's launching a startup business, creating a tidepool habitat, playing a musical instrument, painting a mosaic, or programming a robot, Acton Academy students are building real-life skills in the classroom every day. Our learners investigate, participate and contribute to the world around them by taking on meaningful, hands-on projects.

Learn to Be

The Acton Academy Kingwood experience immerses students in real-life situations in ways that allow them to build the social, emotional, and executive skills needed to make a difference in the world. We guide students to develop personal virtues such as honesty, hard work, responsibility, kindness, and empathy. Whether it's suggesting new rules in town hall meeting, holding a friend accountable during group work, leading a studio maintenance team or reflecting on missing their math goal, students are constantly exercising and honing life skills.

Measuring Mastery With Meaning

Young people celebrate the mastery of tools, skills and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions.

  1. Parents use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in “Learn to Be” Badges.

  2. Electronic and hard copy Portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work

  3. Public exhibitions at the end of most Quests allow young people to present work to experts, customers or the public for a real world test.

We believe character is central to living a life of meaning. Our educational philosophy is grounded on this idea. We believe clear thinking leads to good decisions. Good decisions lead to good habits. Good habits lead to character and character leads to destiny.

The Core of the Acton Academy Kingwood Model

A Learning Environment Built for the Real World

Learner-Driven Education

  • Children take ownership of their learning path


  • Self-paced goals and freedom to fail safely

  • Responsibility, grit, and real-world readiness

Socratic Discussions

  • No lectures—only deep, open-ended questions

  • Builds confidence, communication, and critical thinking

  • Facilitated by Guides, not teachers

The Hero’s Journey

  • Every child is seen as a hero on a quest

  • Real-world exhibitions instead of grades

  • Purpose-driven learning with personal accountability

The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald

Internationally Recognized. Locally Rooted.

Acton Academy Kingwood is proudly accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools (IALDS).

This seal isn’t just a formality—it’s a commitment.

  • Quality You Can Trust: IALDS ensures schools meet rigorous standards rooted in learner agency, real-world outcomes, and educational innovation.

  • A Global Network: Accreditation places us among a worldwide community of transformative schools that are rethinking what learning can be.

  • Focused on What Matters: It’s not about grades or bureaucracy. It’s about purpose, mastery, and meaningful growth.

“IALDS-accredited schools are pioneering a new kind of education, one that prepares young people to thrive, not just test well.”

The Philosophy Behind the Freedom

Self-paced learning. No teachers. No grades. No homework.

It might sound radical—but every part of the Acton Academy Kingwood model is designed with purpose.

Want to see what makes Acton Academy Kingwood so different?

Discover how structure, freedom, and Socratic thinking come together to create a truly transformative learning experience.

© Acton Academy Kingwood 2019-2020

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