Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale

Most schools teach children how to take a test.

Today, our learners practiced how to host a guest.

As part of our Etiquette Quest, they welcomed their parents, made conversation, served tea and sweets, and learned the art of making others feel valued.

Because success in life isn’t just about what you know. It’s about how you treat people.

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🏺 What can ancient civilizations teach us about teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving?

🏛️ As part of their Civilization studies, our learners stepped into the shoes of ancient Roman architects and builders, working in teams to design, construct, and paint their own Roman structures. Through collaboration, experimentation, and a healthy dose of perseverance, they discovered that great achievements—whether in Ancient Rome or today—are rarely the work of one person alone.

🫂Learning comes alive when hands, minds, and imaginations work together.

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Session 7 is officially underway! 🎨

This week, our middle schoolers began their Art and Creativity Quest by creating a base for their current skills through three drawings: a self-portrait, their own hand, and the portrait of another person done from memory. The goal wasn't perfection—it was courage, focus, and honest work.

In just six weeks, they'll showcase their creations at an Art Show where real patrons will have the opportunity to purchase their work. Every masterpiece starts with a first sketch.

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🍎Traditional schools were designed to create obedient listeners that are good at following directions, but is that what really creates a strong critical thinkers who are prepared for REAL LIFE? Instead of teaching kids to obey and listen silently while sitting still for hours a day, what if there was another way? 🤔

Here’s how we do things at Acton👇

✰ We prioritize hands-on learning through group and individual projects: Children learn better through DOING. Research shows that hands-on, experiential learning improves long-term retention (Kolb, 1984).

✰ We allow freedom and flexibility because CURIOSITY drives MASTERY. Studies prove that when students have autonomy, they engage more deeply and learn more effectively (Deci & Ryan, 2000).

✰ We prioritize learning REAL-WORLD SKILLS, like public speaking, self-advocacy and creative thinking. The World Economic Forum highlights problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration as the most important future skills, yet most schools ignore them.

At Acton Academy, we DON’T teach fact memorization. We equip young people to THINK, CREATE, and LEAD. 🚀

Research + text from our friends at

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Our Elementary Studio Exhibition was such a joy to see on Thursday! 🥹✨

Over the past six weeks, learners have been busy in Edison’s Toy Lab designing and building their own toys, and let’s just say…. there were some future engineers in that room 👀🛠️

Not everything worked on the first try (or the second… or third 😅), but that was part of the fun. They tested, tweaked, rebuilt, and kept going, and you could see how proud they were showing off their creations 🚗💥

We also got a peek at their Communications work. Discovery learners gave their “Pitch a Field Trip” speeches (some of them could definitely convince me to fund a trip tomorrow 😂✈️)

…and Explore learners (our youngest group) shared their comic strips, full of creativity, humor, and some VERY dramatic plot twists 🦸‍♂️📖

Overall, it was such a fun, high-energy exhibition and a reminder that learning doesn’t have to be quiet or perfect to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s a little messy, a little loud, and a lot of fun 🎉💡

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🏗️ At our Middle School Exhibition yesterday, learners didn’t just complete assignments… they built real-world skills that matter far beyond school walls.

🤖 During their Robotics Quest, learners coded and programmed their own games from scratch, solving problems, debugging systems, and thinking like real developers and engineers.

But the work didn’t stop there.

🛍️ They stepped into the real world by pitching local businesses for apprenticeship opportunities, learning how to communicate professionally, present themselves with confidence, and create meaningful connections.

🗣️ As part of their communications work, learners crafted and delivered speeches, voted on the strongest pieces as a studio, and presented selected speeches live at Exhibition.

💪Families also got a chance to see something rarely talked about in traditional school: learners taking ownership of their high school transcripts, progress, and future goals.

🦅 This is what happens when education moves beyond memorization and passive learning.

Young people rise.
They build.
They speak.
They create.
They take ownership.

This is Acton. ⚡

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