ACTON ACADEMY
SILICON VALLEY
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LEARNING
ACTON ACADEMY SILICON VALLEY
OUR APPROACH
The transformative learning process at Acton Academy Silicon Valley is designed to help our learners grow both in and out of the classroom. Each day is filled with opportunities to experience new educational and social situations to further development. Our guides create a safe and open setting, where they can encourage learners to explore the world around them.
OUR LEARNING PILLARS
LEARN TO DO
Through hands-on projects, experiential learning and an entrepreneurial mindset our learners will master the skills needed to solve real-world problems while learning the value of teamwork, problem-solving, hard work and perseverance
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LEARN TO LEARN
Instead of lectures, we offer intellectual challenges and “Quests” and guide the students to find the skills, tools, and materials to construct their own answers.
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LEARN TO BE
We will step back so that each learner can step up and obtain the qualities of a curious, independent, lifelong learners, such as character, collaboration, and citizenship.
Character: A commitment to life-long learning through resilience, perseverance, authenticity, humility, and respect.
Collaboration and Citizenship: Become a global citizen. Appreciate democratic values and compromise. Understand the past, participate in the present and care about the future.
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LEARN TO KNOW
We make time every day for our learners to master the foundations of core academic skills (Math, English Language Arts, Civics) through project-based exploration, self-paced mastery, and deliberate practice of Communication skills (reading, oral, and written).
MASTERY
BASED
LEARNING
Gamification & Quests
Learners use mastery-based software to develop their core-skills in Math, Science, Reading & Writing. Badges are awarded and learners go at their own pace. Learning through gamification keeps children excited to learn.
Quests are what really sets Acton Academy Silicon Valley apart from traditional schools as they are unique to our curriculum. Quests are four-to-six-week series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and are designed to teach real-world skills.
QUEST OVERVIEW
WHAT ARE QUESTS
Quests are a 4-6 week series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and designed to deliver 21st-century skills.
• ES Quests: broad explorations of science & curiosity
• MS/LP Quests: dive deeper and add rigor
WHEN DO QUESTS HAPPEN?
Each afternoon, learners dedicate roughly 2.5 hours to quests
HOW ARE QUEST GOALS SET?
Guides offer:
-
(A) a narrative, using Socratic discussions, decorations, role plays, etc.
-
(B) a series of challenges.
-
(C) points, badge requirements, and rules of the game.
• Learners then lead Quests as Guides step back
HOW IS PROGRESS MEASURED?
• Points for challenges earned
• Badges for completed Quests
• Exhibitions showcasing finished work
• Portfolios for work they're especially proud of
Arrival & Free Time
8am - 8:25am
Morning Launch (Socratic)
8:30am - 8:45am
SMART Goals & Core Skills
8:45am - 9:45am
Brain Break
9:45am - 10:15am
Core Skills
10:15am - 11:15am
Lunch & Free Time
11:15am - 12:15pm
Afternoon Launch (Socratic)
12:15pm - 12:30pm
Quests
12:30pm - 2:15pm
Report on Goals
2:15pm - 2:45pm
Studio Maintenance
2:45pm - 3pm
Closing (Socratic)
3pm - 3:15pm
DAILY LIFE
When you step into one of our mixed-age studios, you will hear the buzzing and feel the magic of children working independently or in groups with the freedom, space and time to learn and discover.
Our environment is a real-world model, where children of all ages interact with each other, not separated based on their age or abilities. They are free to move at their appropriate pace and look to their peers for guidance so that they can each achieve and develop the skills they need to tackle the real world.
MASTERY BASED LEARNING
Learners use mastery-based software to develop their core-skills in Math, Science, Reading & Writing.
Badges are awarded and learners go at their own pace. Learning through gamification keeps children excited to learn.
Quests are what really sets Acton Academy Silicon Valley apart from traditional schools as they are unique to our curriculum.
Quests are four-to-six-week series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and are designed to teach real-world skills.
WHAT ARE QUESTS?
Quests are a 4-6 week series of challenges bound by a compelling narrative and designed to deliver 21st-century skills.
WHEN DO QUESTS HAPPEN?
Each afternoon, learners dedicate roughly 2.5 hours to quests
HOW ARE QUEST GOALS SET?
Guides offer:
-
(A) a narrative, using Socratic discussions, decorations, role plays, etc.
-
(B) a series of challenges.
-
(C) points, badge requirements, and rules of the game.
• Learners then lead Quests as Guides step back
HOW IS PROGRESS MEASURED?
• Points for challenges earned
• Badges for completed Quests
• Exhibitions showcasing finished work
• Portfolios for work they're especially proud of