Frequently Asked Questions

What grades do you offer?

Acton Academy NH offers options for grades K-12.

How long is Acton Academy NH in session each year and what is the school calendar?

We operate on an eleven month calendar, August to June. Download our yearly calendar below:

What is your tuition?

We do not want there to be a barrier to entry for any family that is growth-minded and whose children would thrive in the Acton learning environment. Therefore we have been granted access to the NH Children's Scholarship Fund as well as a few other local scholarship options that will help with tuition. Founding families that sign up for the 2019-2020 school year will receive a significant discount that will be grandfathered in for as long as their children attend Acton. Sign up for a school tour to learn more.

Is Acton Academy NH a Montessori school?

We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy, but we are not a Montessori school. In addition to Montessori methods, we use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.

Is Acton a religious school?

Acton Academy NH revolves around the basic truths of Christianity: the belief that humans are designed to be the hands and feet of God in the world, using their gifts to the best of their abilities. Because Acton 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 Acton Academy NH.

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 Acton Academy NH serve special needs children?

We are not trained or staffed to serve children who need specialized attention because of serious learning or behavioral challenges. We treat each and every situation individually, so if you are interested in Acton and believe it is a great fit for your family, please inquire and we will personally assess your unique situation and the fit of your young learner.

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.

What is a “running partner”?

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.

Will children be grouped together by grades?

We believe that children learn best when working with those 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 multi-age groups within our Elementary studio.

What is a “learner driven classroom”?

At Acton Academy NH, the students run the studio (classroom) by agreeing together what their rules are for behavior and treatment of one another. These are called their “Studio Covenants” and “Rules of Engagement”. In the elementary studio especially, they are provided with appropriate guidance throughout this process. These rules and covenants are prominently displayed in the studio and revisited. Often, these are revised by the students as they work through challenges and discover better ways of interacting with one another.

Students also budget their time and choose their areas of focus for the day and adjust these based on their performance. We believe strongly that students achieve more when they have control of their learning.

Why a learner driven classroom?

At Acton Academy NH we believe in "learning to be" and "learning to do" and an important part of this is encouraging kids to take responsibility for their own behavior and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn’t working, we want our students to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence and confidence that will serve them well in all areas of life.

Is Acton Academy NH accredited?

Yes. We are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools. Also, Acton courses and schools are approved by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

IALDS accreditation logo
How do you use technology in the classroom without students having too much screen time?

At Acton Academy NH, 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, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based learning. The two are highly complementary.

Don't see your question?

Don't worry! Just send us your questions to actonacademynh@gmail.com or call us at 603-609-0535.