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Educational Research &
Acton Academy in the News

Curious about what makes Acton Academy Calgary Central different? Explore our curated collection of videos, books, and articles that highlight the research, ideas, and real-world insights behind our learner-driven model. From psychology to education innovation, these resources offer powerful context on why Acton works—and why it’s redefining how children learn and grow.

Podcasts

The "Doctor Mom" Podcast

Episode 310: Rethinking School to Foster a Love of Learning with Laura Sandefer of Acton Academy

Thrivenomic

Episode 10: How to Launch a Hero's Journey: Jeff Sandefer, Co-Founder of Acton Academy (6/15/2020; Apple Podcast)

Think Orphan Podcast

Episode 53: Jeff Sandefer - Disrupting Education Systems to Help Children Flourish (5/16/2017)

Ready Set Love!

Episode 29: Raising Smart Kids with Jeff Sandefer (10/9/2018)

Getting Smart Blog

Building a Student-Centered School ... and Global Network (4/3/2017)

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Videos

Play
TEDxOKC - Jeff Sandefer - April 8th, 2011
Jeff Sandefer
19:15
Play
Acton Academy - Disruptive Education
A Film by Amanda Horvath
14:56
Play
A Virtual Tour of Acton
Acton Academy
08:27
Play
Acton Academy - A Day in the Life
Acton Academy
12:58
Play
Changing Educational Paradigms
Sir Ken Robinson
‍11:41
Play
What Makes a Hero?
Matthew Winkler
04:20
Play
The Hero's Journey, Explained By Eagles
Acton Academy
01:20
Play
The Power Of Believing You Can Improve
Acton Academy
10:11
Play
How to Run A School with 3 Adults or Less
How To Run A School With 3 Adults Or Less | The Show | Dad Saves America
1:24:00
Play
TEDxOKC - Jeff Sandefer - April 8th, 2011
Jeff Sandefer
19:15
Play
Acton Academy - Disruptive Education
A Film by Amanda Horvath
14:56
Play
A Virtual Tour of Acton
Acton Academy
08:27
Play
Acton Academy - A Day in the Life
Acton Academy
12:58
Play
Changing Educational Paradigms
Sir Ken Robinson
‍11:41
Play
What Makes a Hero?
Matthew Winkler
04:20
Play
The Hero's Journey, Explained By Eagles
Acton Academy
01:20
Play
The Power Of Believing You Can Improve
Acton Academy
10:11
Play
How to Run A School with 3 Adults or Les
How To Run A School With 3 Adults Or Less | The Show | Dad Saves America
01:24:00

Books

Courage to Grow

Laura A. Sandefer

Nurture Shock

Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman

A Thomas Jefferson Education

Oliver DeMille

One World Schoolhouse

Sal Khan

The Talent Code

Daniel Coyle

Unschooling Rules

Clark Aldrich

The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family

Patrick Lencioni

Schedule A Call

Research & Acton in the News

On the Learner-Driven Environment

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation: "Insights on Personalized Learning Implementation and Effects." (2017) Read here
  • Çubukçu, Z.: "Teachers' Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2(2), 2010, 2071-2076. Read here
  • The Atlantic: "What Happens When Students Control Their Own Education?" (2013). Read here
  • McShane, Michael Q. "The Rise of Micro Schools." Education Next, 18 Jan. 2022. Read here
  • McDonald, Kerry. "Rising Demand for Learner-Driven Education Spurs Acton Academy Growth." Forbes, 4 Dec. 2021. Read here
  • Millett, Brandon. "Education Philanthropist Jeff Sandefer: 'Every Student is a Genius.'" Philanthropy Roundtable, 14 Sept. 2022. Read here
  • Livingston Daily. "Brighton Private School Acton Academy Has Students in Charge." Livingston Daily, 29 Jan. 2020. Read here
  • Vander Ark, Tom. "Acton Academy: Hero Launchpad Goes Global." Forbes, 21 Aug. 2019. Read here
  • Soave, Robby. "Acton Academy Turns Traditional Schooling Upside Down." National Review, 30 Jan. 2018. Read here
  • Gewertz, Catherine. "What Is a Micro-School and Where Can You Find One?" Education Week, 5 Jan. 2016. Read here
  • Bushweller, Kevin. "Micro-Schools Could Be New Competition for Private K-12." Education Week, 6 Jan. 2016. Read here
  • McDonald, Kerry. "Learner-Driven Schools: Giving Kids Control Over Their Education." HuffPost, 25 Feb. 2015. Read here
  • Vander Ark, Tom. "Acton Academy: An Invitation to a Hero's Journey." Getting Smart, 12 Oct. 2014. Read here
  • Terada, Youki. "10 Things That Will Surprise You If You Put Kids in Charge." EdSurge, 23 May 2014. Read here
  • Terada, Youki. "When Edtech Meets Montessori: Kids Rule Edtech." EdSurge, 20 Nov. 2013. Read here
  • Eagles of Acton. "Imagine This: An Acton Eagle Who at Age Fourteen..." Eagles of Acton. Read here (Publication date not listed, presumed pre-2020 based on context.) 

On Experiential Learning

  • James, J., & Williams, T.: "School-Based Experiential Outdoor Education: A Neglected Necessity."International Journal of Education Research, 10(1), 2017, 1-14.
  • University of Chicago: "Learning by Doing Helps Students Perform Better in Science." (2015) Read here
  • Foster, Tom. "Inside the Schools That Want to Create the Next Mark Zuckerberg." Inc., Mar. 2017. Read here

The 4 C’s of Education (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity)

  • Tech4Learning: "Combining the 3 R’s and the 4 C’s." (2010) Read here

On Mastery-Based Learning

  • Schinske, J., & Tanner, K.: "Teaching More by Grading Less (or Differently)."CBE—Life Sciences Education, 13(2), 2014, 159-166. Read here
  • Willis, J.: "The Neuroscience of Joyful Education."Educational Leadership, 64(9), 2007, 8-13. Read here
  • Robinson, K.: "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" (2006) Watch TED Talk

On Multi-Age Classrooms

  • Harvard Education: "Multi-Age Classrooms: An Age-Old Grouping Method Is Still Evolving." (2007) Read here
  • Stone, S. J.: "The Multi-Age Classroom: What Research Tells the Practitioner."Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory at Brown University, 1998. Read here
  • Wingfield, Kyle. "An 'Old School' Way to Approach Education for the Future." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 16 Nov. 2015. Read here
  • Haynes, Carole H. "The Come Back of the One-Room Schoolhouse." Dr. Carole H. Haynes, 3 Dec. 2015. Read here

The Blended Classroom (Online + In-Class Learning)

  • Aslam, S.: "A Comparative Study of Blended Learning Versus Traditional Teaching in Middle School Science."Journal of Education and Educational Development, 4(1), 2017, 23-43.
  • University of Central Florida: "Blended Learning." (2013) Read here
  • McDonald, Kerry. "Microschools Remain a Popular Back-to-School Option This Year." Forbes, 3 Sept. 2022. Read here
  • Livingston Daily. "Brighton Private School Acton Academy Has Students in Charge." Livingston Daily, 29 Jan. 2020. Read here
  • Phillips, Vicki. "We Should Be Teaching Our Students Like Yoda Taught Luke." WIRED, 24 Feb. 2015. Read here
  • Vander Ark, Caroline. "It's All About Culture at Acton Academy." Getting Smart, 1 Oct. 2012. Read here
  • Staker, Heather. "The First Principle of Blended Learning." Clayton Christensen Institute, 2 July 2012. Read here

Websites and Articles

On Being An Acton Academy Parent Blog
Acton Austin Elementary School Blog
Acton Austin Middle School Blog

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