Discover, Everyday

Discovery Studio

AGES 7 - 12
The Discovery Studio invites learners who love to learn to discover who they are and who they want to be. The Discovery Studio is a place where young leaners can explore, create and build. The Discovery of one's passions and talents places an individual one step closer to a meaningful life.
Acton Studios provide a modern approach to education for your childs journey.

The Ethos of Our Studios

Our learner-driven communities are run mostly by the young heroes where closely connected families and lifelong learners are bound by clear covenants, and "Learning to Do" and "Learning to Be" are even more than "Learning to Know." Learn to Learn: Children work to achieve mastery in the core skills of reading, writing and math, earning badges rather than grades. In mastery learning, children work at their own pace, using online platforms that track progress towards their goals. Mastery learning prevents learning gaps; self-paced learning provides differentiation - no more boredom in the classroom. Learn to Do: Children engage in real world projects we call Quests, that challenge them to apply their skills and knowledge. They don't just read books about physics and take a test. Rather they build and test marble runs, build boats and bridges in real life. Acton learners demonstrate learning through end-of-session exhibitions. Learn to Be: Learners engage in Socratic discussions to encourage deep thinking and reflection about themselves and the world. In addition, they take ownership of their learning by setting their own goals and participate in the self-governance of their class. They practice and celebrate character traits such as hard work, integrity, persistence, kindness and gratitude.

1

Character Matters

Character is foundational to a purposeful, productive and fulfilling life.

2

Growth Mindset

Embracing failure and growth is central to all we do.

3

Freedom & Responsibility

Freedom and responsibility with guardrails.

4

Community & Accountability

Our studio culture engenders trust and resilience.
Acton Academy Madison West, is a community of learning where children from Blackhawk, Fitchburg, Middleton, Shorewood and more get a modern educational developement.
Children from Blackhawk, Fitchburg, Middleton, Sherwood and other areas being taught educational goals by Acton Academy Madison West.
Learning at Acton

Joy + Rigor = Mastery

In a safe environment and through self-learning, young heroes understand the relationship between freedom and responsibility, discover their hero's journey, develop long-lasting friendships, and participate in a hardworking community with a culture of inquiry.
  • Hands-on projects, exploration and collaboration.
  • Core skills: reading, writing and math
  • Practical life skills and studio maintenance
  • Goal-setting and accountability
Learning at Acton

A Learner Driven Community

  • students create and sign a contract of promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.
  • Mentor teams encourage younger and older students to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.
  • "Learn to Be" badges that celebrate character and completing leadership challenges.
Nurturing a philosophy of learning in Madison West, Blackhaw, Fitchburg, Middleton & Shorewood.
Our Philosophy of Learning
Clear thinking leads to good decisions. Good decisions lead to the right habits. The right habits lead to character and Character becomes destiny.
Acton Academy badges to help your childs journey in their education with Madison West Acton Academy.
Measuring Mastery

Earn badges to prove you've mastered skills

Young Heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios and taking part in public exhibitions.
  • Hold each other accountable.
  • Parents use badges to track academic progress in core skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in "Learn to Be" badges.
  • Portfolios of student work in electronic and hard copy that capture rough drafts, photos, video and other creative work.
  • Public exhibitions at the end of most quests allowing young heroes to present work to experts, customers or the public for a real-world test.

Personalized Tools

personalized educational tools to help your childs education in Madison West, Blackhawk, Fitchburg, Middleton, Shorewood.

A School for the 21st Century

Latest News, videos & updates from Acton Academy

Discovery Studio, Year 2, Session 6, Week 29

The Discovery heroes had a fun and meaningful week! In core skills, they their IOWA tests. They maintained great focus during the test despite it not being their favorite activity. On Friday Spark joined discovery for an ice cream party to celebrate this important milestone. The ice cream party provided a great chance for the heroes to Read more…

Spark Studio, Year 2, Session 6, Week 29

Another exciting week has flown by in our bustling studio! Here’s a peek into this week in Spark: In our quest this week, the heroes became gardeners as they crafted garden markers for the community garden. With these markers, they’ll know exactly what’s growing. The learners also explored photosynthesis, discovering all the incredible gifts plants Read more…

Discovery Studio, Year 2, Session 6, Week 28

This is the third week that discovery heroes have done “focused free time” in the morning in the studio. They all had a lot of fun reading, doing word searches, practicing math facts and crossword puzzles during the 30-minutes time period. Integrating these activities adds another layer of engagement and excitement for the Discovery heroes. It’s Read more…