New ‘micro-school’ coming to Mason District
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| An Acton Academy. |
A small private school, associated with the Acton Academy network,
is expected to open in Mason District next fall.
is expected to open in Mason District next fall.
A location hasn’t been nailed down yet, but there are two
possibilities, both churches. One is in the West Falls Church area near Route 50, and the other is in Seven Corners, says Village School founder, Lauren Quinn, an advanced academic resource teacher at Parklawn Elementary School who has taught at several public and private schools, including Congressional School.
possibilities, both churches. One is in the West Falls Church area near Route 50, and the other is in Seven Corners, says Village School founder, Lauren Quinn, an advanced academic resource teacher at Parklawn Elementary School who has taught at several public and private schools, including Congressional School.
Each Acton Academy has no more than 150 students in a “one-room-schoolhouse”
setting. Instead of classrooms organized by grade, there are studios of up to
40 students of mixed ages and two adults, known as “guides” rather than
teachers.
“The Acton model focuses on personalized learning,” Quinn
says, “while traditional schools are based on a factory model that assumes
all kids develop at the same pace and learn at the same time.”
says, “while traditional schools are based on a factory model that assumes
all kids develop at the same pace and learn at the same time.”
“We believe all kids have gifts and talents,” she says, so
students are given time to pursue their interests and passions. The concept is
aimed at encouraging children to become independent.
students are given time to pursue their interests and passions. The concept is
aimed at encouraging children to become independent.
A studio for elementary students would have students age 6
to 10, with the older kids mentoring their peers, Quinn says. Some Acton
Academies have middle and high school students, but the academy she hopes to open in
August will start with just elementary-age students. Annual tuition would be $12,000.
to 10, with the older kids mentoring their peers, Quinn says. Some Acton
Academies have middle and high school students, but the academy she hopes to open in
August will start with just elementary-age students. Annual tuition would be $12,000.
There are more than 50 Acton Academy “micro-schools” up and running or planned in the United States and around
the world, but the Village School will be the first one in Virginia. Another one will open in
Washington, D.C., next year.
the world, but the Village School will be the first one in Virginia. Another one will open in
Washington, D.C., next year.
The first Acton Academy was founded in Austin, Texas, in
2009 by Jeff Sandefer, founder of the Acton School of Business, and his wife,
Laura, who has a master’s degree in education.
2009 by Jeff Sandefer, founder of the Acton School of Business, and his wife,
Laura, who has a master’s degree in education.
The schools are based on the concepts of “learn to learn” (emphasizing self-paced challenges and Socratic discussions), “learn to do” (focusing on hands-on experiences in science, entrepreneurship, the arts and
apprenticeships), and “learn to be” (children embark on a “hero’s
journey” to discover the unique contributions they can make toward a life of
meaning and purpose).
apprenticeships), and “learn to be” (children embark on a “hero’s
journey” to discover the unique contributions they can make toward a life of
meaning and purpose).
Quinn believes traditional schools fall short by focusing too
much on “learning to know” and failing to teach students to be independent
learners. “Traditional schools are not preparing students for the real world,” she says, noting students
need to be critical thinkers because many jobs of the future don’t even exist
yet.
much on “learning to know” and failing to teach students to be independent
learners. “Traditional schools are not preparing students for the real world,” she says, noting students
need to be critical thinkers because many jobs of the future don’t even exist
yet.
Parents interested in enrolling their children in an Acton
Academy would first learn about the Acton approach, fill out an application,
then participate in a collaborative interview to see if it’s the right fit for
both parties.
Academy would first learn about the Acton approach, fill out an application,
then participate in a collaborative interview to see if it’s the right fit for
both parties.
Once Quinn nails down the location, she plans to have an
open house.
One response to “New ‘micro-school’ coming to Mason District”
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I would like to see an update on this school since its been open one year.