Every child is a genius. Your child was born to lead.

At Acton A2, kids ages 6–11 embark on a Hero's Journey — setting their own goals, solving real problems, and discovering the gifts that make them extraordinary. Powered by the Acton Academy system trusted at 300+ locations worldwide, our Ann Arbor learning community (operating as a homeschool co-op) is where young heroes find their calling.

Learner-Driven Ages 6–11 5 Days/Week Hero's Journey 300+ Schools Worldwide Ann Arbor

Join Our Founding Families → See How It Works

🌱 Starting Spring 2026

What a day looks like

9:00 AM

SMART Goals Learners set intentions for the day

9:15 AM

Socratic Discussion Guide-led conversations on big ideas

11:00 AM

Core Skills Parent-managed learning time

12:30 PM

Lunch Community time together

1:00 PM

Quest Hands-on projects that matter

2:30 PM

Reflection & Wrap-Up Journaling, peer feedback, closing circle

Why We Started This

We wanted something different for our kids. Maybe you do too.

We're parents who believe learning should feel alive—not like something to survive. We found Acton, a proven approach used at hundreds of locations worldwide where kids thrive because they're in the driver's seat. Now we're bringing it to Ann Arbor, and we're looking for families who want to build this together.

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Kids Take the Lead

What happens when kids set their own goals and manage their own time? They surprise you. They rise to the challenge. They learn because they want to, not because someone's watching.

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Socratic Discussions: Questions Over Answers

Every day starts with a Socratic Discussion — real conversations about real ideas. Is it ever okay to lie? What makes someone a good leader? There are no lectures. No "right" answers from the front of the room. Kids learn to think deeply by wrestling with ideas that matter to them — and by listening to each other.

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We're In This Together

Parents teach, assess, and shape what we become. Your kids see you learning alongside them. You bring your skills to the table. We build something none of us could build alone.

The Acton Approach

A proven system. 300+ locations. Now in Ann Arbor.

Acton Academy has been transforming how kids learn for over a decade. It's not theory—it's working in communities around the world. Kids at Acton locations are often years ahead in reading and math. They build real things, present to real audiences, and actually look forward to learning. Here's what makes it work:

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Mastery-Based Learning Tools

World-class platforms like Khan Academy, Beast Academy, and others—curated and sequenced so kids work at their own pace and don't move on until they've truly mastered each concept. No more "got a B, move on with gaps."

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Quests (Not Worksheets)

Multi-week adventures where kids don't just read about science—they build bridges, launch rockets, code apps, start businesses. Real projects with real stakes, presented to real audiences.

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The Hero's Journey Framework

Every kid asks: Who am I? What are my gifts? What problem in the world am I meant to solve? This isn't fluff—it's the backbone of how they approach every challenge.

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Badges, Not Grades

Kids earn badges by demonstrating mastery—not by showing up and getting partial credit. They build portfolios of real work. Colleges see proof of what they can do, not just what classes they sat through.

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Public Exhibitions

Every few weeks, kids present their work to parents, mentors, and community members. No hiding. No faking it. They learn to communicate, defend their ideas, and handle real feedback.

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Running Partners & Accountability

Kids pair up to set goals, track progress, and hold each other accountable. They learn that excellence isn't something adults impose—it's something they demand of themselves and each other.

Inside an Acton Academy studio

Children of different ages learning together in a studio

A Core Acton Principle

Multi-Age Studios, Not Classrooms

At Acton, we don't separate kids by birth year and call it a "grade." Instead, children ages 6–11 learn together in a studio — a shared space where curiosity drives everything.

Older learners mentor younger ones. Younger learners ask the questions nobody else thinks to ask. A 7-year-old might lead a discussion. A 10-year-old might ask for help. That's not a bug — it's the whole point.

This is how humans learned for thousands of years — in mixed-age communities where everyone has something to teach and something to learn. Research shows it builds empathy, leadership, and deeper understanding. We see it every day.

Kids collaborating on electronics and robotics without a teacher hovering

A Core Acton Principle

Guides, Not Teachers

At Acton, the adult in the room isn't there to lecture, assign homework, or hand out grades. They're a Guide — someone who asks the right questions at the right time and trusts learners to find their own answers.

Guides don't stand at the front of the room. They sit alongside your child. They listen more than they talk. They create the conditions for discovery — then get out of the way.

The result? Kids who don't wait to be told what to think. Kids who own their learning. Kids who can walk into any room and figure things out — because that's what they've been doing every single day.

How It Works

Every hour is intentional.

Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm. Enough structure for real progress. Enough breathing room for family life, independent exploration, and the rest of what makes childhood rich.

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Focused Time. Real Results.

Six hours of intentional, high-quality learning each day. No busywork. No filler. Afternoons and evenings are yours—for family, passions, rest, and everything else that matters.

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Ages 6–11. Learning Together.

Young learners grow together through curiosity, collaboration, and real challenges. It's how humans learned for thousands of years—and it still works beautifully.

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Proof Over Grades.

Our kids don't get letter grades that mean nothing. They present real work to real people. They build portfolios that show what they can actually do. Colleges and employers can see it. So can we.

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Transcripts That Tell the Truth.

Homeschool transcripts are accepted everywhere. We'll help you build one that doesn't just list courses—it shows mastery, projects, growth, and character. The stuff that actually matters.

What It Costs

Founding Family Rate

$700 /month

Standard Rate

$1,000 /month

What You Get

5 days a week, 9am–3pm
Experienced Guide leading every day
Proven Acton curriculum
Transcript prep for college
Portfolio and exhibition support
Training so you can lead too

20+ Years in Education

Who's Leading This

Meet Ujala

Founder, Acton Academy Ann Arbor · Founder, Blackstone School of Law and Blackstone Institute of Technology

I'm a mom first. Back in 2016, I was looking for an alternative to traditional education for my son—something that would nurture his curiosity instead of squashing it. That's when I discovered Acton, and I've been a fan ever since. It changed the way I think about what learning can be.

I've also spent 20 years in education—and I've seen what works. As former Assistant Dean at Santa Clara University's School of Education and Counseling Psychology, I helped shape programs in Social Impact Leadership, Teacher Education, Educational Leadership, and Counseling. I've taught as an Assistant Professor with the US Army, practiced as a global human rights lawyer, and worked as an academic in human rights education. I've launched learning communities before—including Global Citizens Project—and co-founded an Acton Academy. I know what it takes to build something that truly serves kids and families. I'd love to build this one with you.

Santa Clara University US Army Faculty Human Rights Lawyer Acton Academy Co-founder University of London Partner

The Movement Behind It All

Meet the Founders of Acton Academy

Jeff and Laura Sandefer started Acton Academy with a simple belief: every child is a genius who deserves the freedom to discover their gifts and find a calling that will change the world.

Jeff Sandefer

Co-Founder, Acton Academy

Jeff lives a dual life as an entrepreneur and Socratic Guide. He founded his first company at age 16 and went on to found or co-found seven successful businesses. At the University of Texas, his students five times voted him Outstanding Teacher, and Businessweek named him one of the top Entrepreneurship professors in America.

He co-founded the Acton School of Business, an MBA program ranked by the Princeton Review among the best in the nation. In 2012, The Economist honored him as one of the top fifteen Business School professors in the world. Jeff is a Harvard Business School graduate who served over twenty years on its governing committees.

Laura Sandefer

Co-Founder, Acton Academy

Laura studied at Vanderbilt University and earned her Master of Education at Peabody College. After being awarded the Walter Wattles Fellowship at Lloyd's of London, she worked in aviation insurance in New York before following her calling into education.

At the Oklahoma Arts Institute, she created fine arts education programs for teachers and talented students. As a mother, it was the inspiration of her children that led Laura and Jeff to co-found Acton Academy — a place where every child is trusted as a hero on their own journey. Her mother, a Master Teacher, remains her greatest hero.

How It Works

This is a community, and you're part of it.

A co-op means we do this together. You bring your experience, your perspective, your talents. Four hours a month is all we ask—and those hours will be some of the most meaningful time you spend with your kid.

Share What You Know

Everyone has something to teach. Your career, your hobby, a skill you've developed. Once a month, you lead a session. Kids learn best from real people with real experience.

Celebrate Their Work

When kids present what they've created, you're in the audience. You ask thoughtful questions. You give honest, encouraging feedback. It means the world to them.

Shape What We Become

Monthly meetings where we figure things out together. What's working? What could be better? Your ideas matter. Your voice helps us grow.

Just 4 Hours a Month

One teaching session. One exhibition. One community meeting. Designed to be meaningful without overwhelming your schedule—and your kids get to see you as part of their learning world.

Want to be part of our founding families?

We're starting Spring 2026 with just 5 families. Founding families get the $700/month rate locked in—and a real voice in shaping what we build together. Tell us about your family.

Your Name *

Email *

Phone

Number & Ages of Children

What excites you about this? Anything you'd like us to know?

How did you hear about us?

Or email us directly at [email protected]