How is Active Leadership Academy affiliated with Acton Academy?
Active Leadership Academy is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that our owners helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.
What ages do you accept?
We are currently accepting applications for children aged 5 to 10 years old. As our school's original founding students grow older each year, we will progressively extend our enrollment to encompass middle school and eventually high school.
Where is your school located?
Our campus is located at 316 E Hwy 30, Gonzales, LA 70737 US.
How long is the school year?
Our school year extends over a 10-month period, typically in line with Ascension public school calendar, allowing ample time for students to immerse themselves in diverse educational opportunities and achieve their academic goals.
What does tuition cost and do you offer financial aid?
Annual tuition for all during the 2022-2023 school year: $6,299. Monthly and weekly payment plans available. Non-refundable registration deposit of $299 to confirm enrollment. Sibling discount of 10% per additional student. We do not offer scholarships or financial aid at this time.
Is the Acton Academy a Montessori school?
Our Montessori studio is the perfect base for young learners to begin an Acton journey! We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori's philosophy but our Elementary studio is not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.
Is Active Leadership Academy a religious school?
Active encourages exploration and independent learning, however, we leave the teaching of specific doctrine up to individual families. Children and families of all faiths are welcome at Active Leadership Academy. Learners explore the importance various religions have played throughout history, but we do not promote any one religion.
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.
Is Active Leadership Academy right for my child?
Our school is a perfect fit for families like the following:
- People who believe the traditional school system no longer works to prepare children for the modern world
- Entrepreneurs
- Creators and creatives
- Out-of-the box thinkers
- People who want the benefits of child-directed learning without having to make a full-time commitment to homeschooling
- Families with flexible schedules
- People who need flexible attendance for travel and family obligations.
- People who want to maximize their family time
- Trailblazers and trendsetters
- Families who value their freedom and want their children to develop a love of learning
Parents looking for the items listed below may be challenged by our School's philosophy and may feel it is not the right place for their family:
- Those who treasure social prestige and really prefer a traditional education.
- Those who are "blamers" and ultimately will gossip and criticize, no matter what.
- Those who aren't sure their child is ready yet for the responsibility and struggles—and occasional tears—of truly independent learning (and may be right).
- Those who are not committed to a Hero's Journey themselves.
How does self-paced learning happen at Active?
We provide a 21st century learning environment using the latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery of reading, writing, elective courses, and math skills. Students are placed according to ability so that our program can meet the student right where they are. Students move on to the next level only after the content has been mastered, which ensures there are no learning gaps.
Without homework and frequent test taking, how do I know my child is learning?
Students celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios, and taking part in public exhibitions. Public exhibitions allow students to present work to experts, customers, or the public for a real-world test. Parents use our online platform JourneyTracker and school app to monitor progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math, and character development. Electronic and hard copy Portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, videos, and other creative work. Once a year, we offer the Iowa standardized test, and you know what? Most of our students score 1-2 grade levels ahead of the national average.
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.
How do you use technology in the classroom without students having too much screen time?
We believe in the power of balance. Using the incredible, self-paced eLearning tools now available, we are able to provide the rigor needed for learning math, vocabulary, spelling and grammar in about 90 minutes each day in our elementary studio, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based learning. The two are highly complementary. Our Montessori studio is mostly hands on using Montessori works, with the occasional use of technology to enhance learning and prepare them for the next studio!
Do you offer art and music?
Our students experience varied and unique art and music workshops throughout the year ranging from cake decorating, painting, sculpting, to making and recording their own music.
Do you offer team sports?
Although we do not offer formal team sports, many of our students participate in our afterschool sports program, and/or our evening martial arts classes. Our school embraces a deep commitment to physical fitness and overall health awareness. Active students explore a variety of physical activities that have ranged from martial arts, hiking, dance, yoga, to rock climbing. Our students are very active, and we strongly support good sportsmanship and teamwork.
What about lunch and snacks?
You will need to provide your child with a healthy lunch each day. They will have access to a full kitchen. We are not a peanut free facility, however learners are not allowed to share food due to allergies. We have a healthy snack store and we believe that it's important to help young people develop healthy lifestyle habits.
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.
Does Active Leadership Academy 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.
