"Most schools teach kids to sit still, follow instructions, and wait for permission."
We believe your child deserves better.
We're parents who believe learning should feel alive—not like something to survive. We found Acton, a proven approach used at hundreds of locations worldwide where kids thrive because they're in the driver's seat. Now we're bringing it to Ann Arbor, and we're looking for families who want to build this together.
Every day starts with real conversations about real ideas. Is it ever okay to lie? What makes someone a great leader? No lectures. No right answers from the front of the room. Kids learn to think deeply by wrestling with questions that matter.
Parents teach, assess, and shape what we become. Your kids see you learning alongside them. You bring your skills to the table. We build something none of us could build alone.
What happens when kids set their own goals and manage their own time? They surprise you. They rise to the challenge. They learn because they want to—not because someone's watching. Evenings belong to family.
Acton Academy has been transforming how kids learn for over a decade. Kids at Acton locations are often years ahead in reading and math. They build real things, present to real audiences, and actually look forward to learning.
Kids earn badges by demonstrating mastery—not by showing up and getting partial credit. They build portfolios of real work that prove what they can actually do.
Every few weeks, kids present their work to parents, mentors, and community members. They learn to communicate, defend their ideas, and handle real feedback.
Kids pair up to set goals, track progress, and hold each other accountable. Excellence isn't something adults impose—it's something they demand of themselves.
At Acton, we don't separate kids by birth year and call it a "grade." Instead, children ages 6–11 learn together in a studio—a shared space where curiosity drives everything.
Older learners mentor younger ones. Younger learners ask the questions nobody else thinks to ask. A 7-year-old might lead a discussion. A 10-year-old might ask for help. That's not a bug—it's the whole point.
This is how humans learned for thousands of years—in mixed-age communities where everyone has something to teach and something to learn. Research shows it builds empathy, leadership, and deeper understanding.
At Acton, the adult in the room isn't there to lecture, assign homework, or hand out grades. They're a Guide—someone who asks the right questions at the right time and trusts learners to find their own answers.
Guides don't stand at the front of the room. They sit alongside your child. They listen more than they talk. They create the conditions for discovery—then get out of the way.
The result? Kids who don't wait to be told what to think. Kids who own their learning. Kids who can walk into any room and figure things out—because that's what they've been doing every single day.
Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Enough structure for real progress. Enough breathing room for family life, independent exploration, and everything else that makes childhood rich.
What a Day Looks Like
Six hours of intentional, high-quality learning each day. No busywork. No filler. Afternoons and evenings are yours.
Young learners grow through curiosity, collaboration, and real challenges—just like humans learned for thousands of years.
Our kids present real work to real people. They build portfolios that show what they can actually do.
Homeschool transcripts accepted everywhere. We help you build one that shows mastery, projects, growth, and character.
Founding Family Rate
$700 /month
Standard Rate
$1,000 /month
Jeff and Laura Sandefer started Acton Academy with a simple belief: every child is a genius who deserves the freedom to discover their gifts and find a calling that will change the world.
Co-Founder, Acton Academy
Jeff lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and Socratic Guide. He founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. At the University of Texas, his students five times voted him Outstanding Teacher, and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.
He co-founded the Acton School of Business, an MBA program ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012, The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world. Jeff is a Harvard Business School graduate who served over twenty years on its governing committees.
Co-Founder, Acton Academy
Laura studied at Vanderbilt University and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. After being awarded the Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd's of London, she worked in aviation insurance in New York before following her calling into education.
At the Oklahoma Arts Institute, she created fine arts education programs for teachers and talented students. As a mother, it was the inspiration of her children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy—a place where every child is trusted as a hero on their own journey. Her mother, a Master Teacher, remains her greatest hero.
A co-op means we do this together. You bring your experience, your perspective, your talents. Four hours a month is all we ask—and those hours will be some of the most meaningful time you spend with your kid.
Everyone has something to teach. Your career, your hobby, a skill you've developed. Once a month, you lead a session. Kids learn best from real people with real experience.
When kids present what they've created, you're in the audience. You ask thoughtful questions. You give honest, encouraging feedback. It means the world to them.
Monthly meetings where we figure things out together. What's working? What could be better? Your ideas matter. Your voice helps us grow.
One teaching session. One exhibition. One community meeting. Designed to be meaningful without overwhelming your schedule—and your kids get to see you as part of their learning world.
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★★★★★
"The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE it."— Heather Staker, Education Researcher & Author
★★★★★
"My daughter used to dread Mondays. Now she's up before her alarm, excited for her quest. I still can't quite believe it."— Acton Parent, Austin TX
★★★★★
"Within three weeks my son was reading books on his own—voluntarily. He told me, 'I just want to know more.' That's never happened before."— Acton Parent, Denver CO
★★★★★
"Our kids set goals, track their progress, and hold each other accountable. Skills I'm still working on as an adult—they have at age 9."— Acton Parent, Chicago IL
★★★★★
"I was skeptical. Now I'm a believer. The public exhibitions changed everything—watching my son present his work with such confidence was incredible."— Acton Parent, Nashville TN
Come see our space, meet Ujala, and imagine what's possible for your family. Tours are casual, personal, and completely pressure-free.
We're starting Spring 2026 with just 5 families. Founding families get the $700/month rate locked in—and a real voice in shaping what we build together. Tell us about your family.