How Does Homeschooling Work? Learn How We Embrace & Elevate.

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See how we embrace homeschooling methods with alternative education to give learners the best of both worlds while surpassing traditional education models.

In Calgary and beyond, families are asking 'How does homeschooling work—and can it offer community, structure, and accelerated growth?' At Acton Academy Calgary Central, we've reimagined homeschooling to blend personalized pacing with collaborative studios. As an Alberta Education-accredited school and part of a global network of over 300 Acton Academies, we continue to elevate what education is.

How Does Homeschooling Work? Fundamentals & Legal Framework

At its core, homeschooling gives families control over their children's education, allowing for:

• Personalized pacing that matches each child's learning style
• One-to-one mentorship and guidance
• Flexible curriculum design based on interests and needs
• Freedom to adapt methods as children grow and develop
• In Alberta, children between 6 and 16 must receive an education. Parents can choose to develop an educational program plan and register their child to be supervised by a School Authority (i.e., public, separate, or accredited private school); or parents can notify the Minister of Education directly of their intent to homeschool and choose not to register with a school board under the Education Act.

Parents who choose homeschooling often cite the desire to provide a nontraditional approach to education (50%) as their primary motivation, according to Pew Research Center. And the results speak for themselves—homeschooled learners consistently score 15-30% higher on achievement tests than their public school peers, according to Prosperity for America.

Popular Homeschooling Styles and Their Benefits

Families typically adopt one or more of these proven approaches:

Classical Education

This time-tested method follows the Trivium: grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages. It builds critical thinking through deep engagement with great ideas and texts. Classical education was used by thinkers like Aristotle, Plato, and Thomas Jefferson, focusing on developing the mind through structured inquiry. Source: The Homeschool Front

Unschooling

This child-led approach lets natural curiosity drive learning. Without a formal curriculum, children explore interests deeply, developing intrinsic motivation. Unschooling resembles project-based learning but with even more freedom for the child to direct their education. Source: Homeschool to Go

Project-Based Learning

Learning centers around meaningful projects that integrate multiple subjects. This approach, inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, puts learners in charge of real-world challenges while parents serve as guides rather than instructors. Source: Homeschool Planning

Mastery Learning

Children take the time they need to fully master concepts before moving forward. This competency-based approach ensures deep understanding rather than superficial coverage of material, building confidence and eliminating learning gaps. Source: Acton Academy NB

Acton Academy's Hybrid Model: Homeschooling within a Classroom

Our hybrid model is built on three pillars — Learning to Learn (self-directed mastery), Learning to Do (real-world application), and ultimately, Learning to Be (personal growth).

At Acton Academy Calgary Central, we use an educational model that combines homeschooling's personalization with the benefits of a collaborative community. Our approach mirrors the best homeschooling practices while adding the richness of peer interaction and shared resources.

Our studios feature mixed-age cohorts where children learn at their own pace in a learner-driven environment.

Self-Paced Mastery Learning and Epic Quests

Like effective homeschooling, our curriculum centers on mastery rather than grades or age-based progression:

• Learners earn Mastery Badges that track individual skill acquisition
• Core skills progress at each child's optimal pace—no rushing, no waiting
• Epic Quests provide long-term, real-world projects that integrate multiple subjects

This approach yields remarkable results. Learners at Acton Academies average 1.5 school years of progress per year at 100% mastery in math and language arts. Source: Acton Lakewood research

Guides as Mentors: Socratic Coaching and Habit Formation

Instead of traditional teachers who lecture, our Guides function more like homeschooling parents:

• They ask powerful questions rather than providing answers
• They support each child's unique learning journey
• They help learners build habits of excellence, responsibility, and self-direction

Through Socratic discussions, Guides help learners deepen their thinking and articulate their ideas clearly. This mirrors the personalized mentoring that makes homeschooling effective but adds the dimension of peer dialogue and debate. Learn more about Socratic teaching at Acton Academy.

The Nurturing Community: Accelerated Growth Together

Our mixed-age studios create a family-like atmosphere where:

• Younger learners gain inspiration from older peers
• Older learners reinforce their learning by guiding others
• Children develop leadership, collaboration, and communication skills naturally

Peer Collaboration and Social-Emotional Development

Children as young as four participate in decision-making, goal-setting, and peer accountability. Through regular citizenship surveys and feedback sessions, learners develop emotional intelligence and social awareness. Learn more about student agency at Acton Academy Columbus.

Cross-age teamwork on real challenges builds empathy and communication skills that are often harder to develop in traditional homeschooling settings or age-segregated classrooms.

Structured Support vs. Traditional Homeschool Co-ops

While homeschool co-ops typically meet occasionally for enrichment, our model provides consistent daily structure with the flexibility of homeschooling. Traditional co-op overview:

• Regular studio days with clear routines and expectations
• Community rituals that build belonging and purpose
• Shared resources that would be difficult for individual families to access
• Professional guides who support both academic and character development

This hybrid approach bridges the gap between full-time school and homeschool environments, giving families the best of both worlds.

Outcomes: Faster Progress with Personalized Support

The results of our approach speak for themselves. Learners who have been at Acton Academy through elementary school are on average 3.6 grade levels above age in reading and 4.6 grade levels above in math. Source: Acton DC FAQ

But academic achievement is just part of the story. Our graduates develop:

• Strong self-management and goal-setting abilities
• Experience solving real-world problems
• The confidence to direct their own learning journey
• A portfolio of work that demonstrates their capabilities

Conclusion: How Does Homeschooling Work? A New Model at Acton Academy Calgary Central

At Acton Academy Calgary Central, we've taken the question "How does homeschooling work?" and expanded the answer. We combine the personalization, flexibility, and nurturing approach of homeschooling with the community, resources, and peer learning of a school environment.

Our model delivers faster academic progress while building character and life skills. learners move at their own pace but with the support of guides and peers who challenge and inspire them daily.

Ready to redefine your child's education? With only 40 spots for our September 2025 opening, schedule a call or info session today—and join the founding families shaping the future of learning.