Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions
The honest answers, in one place. Still wondering about something? Email us or book a 15-minute call — we reply within a day.
The Basics
What is Acton Academy Columbus?+
A learner-driven, project-based microschool in Dublin, Ohio, blending Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf approaches with the Acton Academy model. We serve roughly 45 learners across four studios — Spark, Growth, Discovery, and Adventure — with Launchpad opening in 2027–28. We’re independently owned and part of the global Acton network of 300+ campuses.
What ages do you serve?+
Currently ages 4.5 through 14, across four multi-age studios: Spark (4.5–7), Growth (7–10), Discovery (10–12), and Adventure (12–15). Launchpad, our high-school studio, opens with its first cohort in 2027–28.
Is there really no homework, no grades, and no tests?+
Correct. Learners work at their own pace toward mastery, set their own weekly goals, and earn badges through evidence of real work rather than letter grades. The day ends with reflection — and then free time at home with their families. We measure growth through portfolios, exhibitions, and the learner’s own track record of doing hard things.
What’s a “guide,” and why not “teacher”?+
Our educators are called guides because the work is closer to coaching and Socratic questioning than lecturing. Guides ask questions instead of handing out answers, design the conditions for productive struggle, and trust learners to lead their own journeys. No adult runs the studio — the learners do.
Approach & Academics
How do learners actually learn math and reading without lectures?+
Each morning includes a self-paced core-skills block using adaptive software, with one-to-one feedback from guides. Learners set their own SMART goals each week and don’t move on until they’ve genuinely mastered a concept — mastery is the bar, not the calendar. The rest of the day is Quests, Socratic discussion, outdoor play, and studio life.
What is a Quest?+
A six- to eight-week immersive project that ends in real work shown to a real audience — a business that sells to real customers, a film screened publicly, an engineering exhibition. Past Quests have included launching a real LLC, machine learning, forensic science, personal finance, electricity, and game design.
Will my child be academically “behind”?+
Because learners progress at their own pace in every subject, many move faster than a traditional grade would allow once they own the work. We’re happy to talk through your specific child during an info call — fit matters more than any single benchmark.
Is Acton religious?+
No. Acton Academy Columbus is an independent, secular microschool. We share a facility with a church at our Dublin address, but our program is not religious.
How big are the studios?+
Small and multi-age by design. We serve about 45 learners total across four studios, so each learner is well known by their guides and peers.
The Practical Stuff
What are your hours?+
School runs Monday–Friday, with flexible drop-off from 8:00–8:30am and the day ending at 3:00pm with flex pickup until 3:30. We don’t offer aftercare — we want learners home with their families.
How many days a year are you open?+
About 200 school days per year — considerably more than local public schools — with breaks built in roughly every 4–6 weeks, plus summer, winter, and spring. The calendar is published annually.
What does tuition cost?+
One transparent tuition supports every studio, billed monthly, plus a one-time enrollment fee. Current figures are published openly on our tuition page.
How do you handle screens and technology?+
Spark Studio is intentionally screen-free. Older studios use leading adaptive software for core skills and real tools for Quest work — technology in service of learning, never as a babysitter.
Do you serve children with learning differences?+
Many learners thrive in our self-paced, low-pressure environment. We’re not a special-education program and can’t replace clinical services, but we’re glad to talk honestly about whether our model fits your child during the admissions conversation.
Admissions & Enrollment
Are you accredited?+
Yes — Acton Academy Columbus is accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS), a global community of microschools committed to the learner-driven philosophy.
How does homeschool registration work in Ohio?+
Acton operates under Ohio’s homeschool framework, which keeps your child’s educational status flexible and family-controlled. We walk every family through the specifics during enrollment. There’s more on our homeschooling page.
How do we apply?+
Admission is a conversation, not paperwork: read the info kit, have a 15-minute info call, visit and observe, then your child spends a trial day in the studio. If both sides feel it’s a fit, we make an offer. Start on our admissions page.
Do you enroll mid-year?+
We have rolling admissions with limited spots per studio, so mid-year enrollment is sometimes possible. The best first step is an info call to check current availability for your child’s studio.