Acton Academy of Bergen County

My daughter is very easy going and would have done well in any school environment. As parents to older siblings, this time around we were looking for more than an education- a place our child’s soul could soar. ACTON Academy is a place where kids find their wings, their voice, compassion & so much more.

We started mid-year last year and this is our 2nd academic year. My daughter loves it! She looks forward to going to school every day. I see a very healthy overall development that’s beneficial to the wellbeing of my child. She’s developing as a whole person in all aspects at her own interest and pace, which I think how it should be and which was NOT available in the public school system where only “good” behavior was encouraged (meaning the child needed to sit on one spot, follow teacher’s directions and receive academic knowledge). All other aspects were ignored, which severely damaged my daughter’s natural curiosity and love for knowledge and it took her a year to un-do that damage. And finally here, at Acton, she gets to be her own person who is full of love, sunshine and curiosity, discovering what interests her, figuring out to how get the knowledge and build healthy relationships. She absolutely loves it and I love it too as I see my child happy!

We are so happy to find this school that became a second home actually because our daughter wants to go there on the weekends as well. Guides are able to create such a welcoming and family like atmosphere that learners are not afraid to unleash their full potential, develop their personality, try new things and find their own way in whatever they do with at the same time having support from their fellow learners and guides when they need it. Our daughter shines every time she enters or leaves the school and we couldn’t be more satisfied observing and being a part of it. Thank you Acton family!

My daughter is 7. She started Acton Academy on January 2022. She came after private catholic school, where she was stressed and devastated. After first day of try outs in Acton she was crying because she didn't want to go home and it was the most powerful argument for me. Now I can say that I've never seen her that happy in any other school/preschool before. For me it's the most important ever. She is growing in healthy environment with people talking about life, relationships, problem solving, she learns to make her choices, to find the ways from different situations, to lose sometimes and stay comfortable with it. I see how smart and sensible she grows and no one forces her to be like the others. No uniforms, no strict rules which limit the rights of the person. Acton Academy is a unique place with very professional Guides who help kids to be themselves and grow in their own pace.

When my grandson joined Acton, his self-esteem and motivation were low, a result of a system that didn't see him.
The transformation was almost immediate. From a child who used to go to school with his head down, to a smiling and enthusiastic learner who runs to school and can't wait to explore the new day. It was a game changer forthe entire family, seeing him so happy and thriving in a perfect fit environment.
Now I have 2 grandsons in Acton, both are so happy, full of curiosity and have this spark of joy that I haven't seen in a long time. I feel that Acton gives them much more than knowledge, it gives them the joy of learning and the emotional support that every child needs to conquer the world.

We are so happy we found Acton Academy! Starting in traditional public school, we just knew it would never be the right fit for our son. Our journey began after I decided to drop by Acton’s entrepreneur fair in May 2021. Walking around and seeing so many learners excited to talk about their businesses & how much they loved learning peaked my interest. The passion in their eyes was unmatched. We began the process to see if Acton was the right fit for our son and never looked back. The growth we have seen in such a short period of time blows us away. To see our son happy everyday and excited to tell us about the quests & different methods he uses to learn warms our hearts. This is what school should be! One of our favorite part of the Acton experience is attending the exhibitions. To see the learners take the lead and host an entire exhibition gives us chills every time. The concept is simple, let the learner take control of how they learn and they will love learning! We feel honored to watch our son embark on his hero journey.

I wasn’t sure what I was looking for when I started searching for an alternative to public school. My oldest daughter was bored, disinterested and overall unhappy and I had all kinds of ideas. A more challenging educational environment or maybe a more artistic/musically oriented place to appeal to her interests? I found all of this here at Acton, although somewhat indirectly. This is so much more than a school. It’s a learner driven environment with (so far) limitless possibilities. The guides are passionate and dedicated to the learners and the philosophy of Acton Academy. Both my daughters have benefited tremendously from the community they now belong too. I’m really grateful to have found it.