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 27

Discovery had a wonderful and meaningful week. In core skills, discovery heroes demonstrated great focus and continued to meet their daily SMART goals this week. They all received character-call outs this week for showing their best work effort in the studio. Recognizing their hard work with character call-outs surely reinforces a positive learning environment and motivates Read more…

Spark Studio, Year 2, Session 6, Week 27

This was the second week that they children went straight to core skills after arriving at school, and there is a marked difference in their focus on Montessori activities! They are feeling a sense of pride as they delve deeper into their work and feel success as they make progress towards their goals. The week Read more…

Discovery Studio, Year 2, Session 6, Week 26

The Discovery heroes had a wonderful week following the weekend’s Acton Children’s business Fair! They kicked off with the second week of ‘Debate a Game’ communication challenge. They learned about several types of logical fallacies. Each of hero created their own logical fallacy card. By using real-life examples to illustrate each fallacy and accompany them with Read more…