Get Inspired

Have the ideas at Acton Academy piqued your interest?If so, we recommend reading Courage to Grow: How Acton Academy Turns Learning Upside Down, by Laura Sandefer, Acton's Co-Founder. This fast, engaging read is the best account of our learner-driven studios.

We were honored to be the subject of a recent Jordan Peterson episode. Peterson and Acton founder Jeff Sandefer discuss the origins of the current educational system and how Acton addresses its shortcomings.

Here are other resources that inspire us, and help influence "the why" of our mission:

Changing Education Paradigms​

Jet Cockpits and The End of Average

Most Likely to Succeed

Disruptive Education: The Acton Academy Story

Do Schools Kill Creativity?

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way​

Khan Academy Founder: Let's teach for mastery - not test scores

TEDxOKC: Rethinking Schools, Genius and Heroes

Experience how Acton is transforming education in this independent, award-winning documentary.
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Inspiring Books
Book cover for Courage to Grow, by Laura A. Sandefer

Courage to Grow

Courage to Grow is the intimate origin story of Acton Academy, one of today’s most innovative schools with a model quickly spreading around the globe. If you have ever wondered if there are more powerful ways for young people to learn, step aboard for a behind the scenes tour of how Acton Academy unlocks the genius in every child, while embracing personal accountability and forging young characters. However, this is not a how-to book. Nor is it a book about educational theory. It is a fast-paced tale of courageous families, transformed by what young people can accomplish when armed with the right inspiration, questions and tools. Like all good tales, there is a surprise ending, a final bit of magic about parenting and life you won’t want to miss.

The Talent Code

Scientists have discovered that myelin might just be the holy grail: the foundation of all forms of greatness, from Michelangelo’s to Michael Jordan’s. The good news about myelin is that it isn’t fixed at birth; to the contrary, it grows, and like anything that grows, it can be cultivated and nourished. Coyle identifies the three key elements that will allow you to develop your gifts and optimize your performance in sports, art, music, math, or just about anything: Deep Practice. Passion. Master Coaching.

The Talent Code

Scientists have discovered that myelin might just be the holy grail: the foundation of all forms of greatness, from Michelangelo’s to Michael Jordan’s. The good news about myelin is that it isn’t fixed at birth; to the contrary, it grows, and like anything that grows, it can be cultivated and nourished. Coyle identifies the three key elements that will allow you to develop your gifts and optimize your performance in sports, art, music, math, or just about anything: Deep Practice. Passion. Master Coaching.

The Three Big Questions for the Frantic Family

What is the most important organization in our lives? The companies where we work? The schoolswhere our children learn? The churches where we worship? As important as all of these are, nonecompares to our families. It is the single most relevant, impactful and precious institution in society,and yet, as an organization it is largely ignored.

As a husband and the father of four young boys, Lencioni realized the discrepancy between the time and energy his clients put into running their organizations and the reactive way most people run their personal lives. Having experienced the stress of a frantic family firsthand, he and his wife began applying some of the tools he uses with Fortune 500 companies at home, and with surprising results.

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