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Starting an Acton Academy has been a deeply personal journey for our family, inspired by our lived experiences and a shared vision for our daughter, Alba, and what young learners need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
We believe education holds the unparalleled power to shape the future, and through research and conversations with families, educators, and employers, we have identified clear opportunities to better prepare students for the challenges and possibilities ahead.
Two key insights emerged as we explored how to make a meaningful impact. First, the ability to collaborate, think critically, and communicate effectively has become indispensable in today's world. Second, with nearly half of today's core skills expected to change within five years, according to the 2023 World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report, adaptability and lifelong learning are vital. Employers consistently stress that success requires not only technical expertise but also soft skills like teamwork, resilience, and effective communication.
We were simply a family trying to find a place where our daughter could grow up surrounded by wonder, purpose, and joy. Even at just 18 months, it was clear: she was deeply curious. She’d turn everyday objects into puzzles, observe the world with quiet intensity, and surprise us with how quickly she understood things. She was learning all the time—not because someone told her to, but because she wanted to.
We couldn’t imagine her sitting at a desk all day, moving through worksheets, memorizing facts for tests—when what she really needed was to explore, to create, to be challenged in meaningful ways. To be known. As we looked ahead, something didn’t sit right. We’d had countless conversations with friends—thoughtful parents who wanted the best for their kids, and again and again, we heard versions of the same story: school was teaching kids to play it safe. To comply. To perform. And somewhere along the way, they were losing a part of themselves.
That wasn’t the kind of future we wanted for our daughter. We didn’t need all the answers—we just knew there had to be another way. A way that protected her love of learning. That saw her as capable, not in need of constant correction. That trusted in the power of children to grow when given freedom and responsibility. Then came the moment everything changed after researching dozens of schools and different models, when we came across an interview with Jeff Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy. The ideas resonated deeply. We couldn’t unhear what we heard. We read Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer, and it felt like someone had put our hopes and our worries into words. She described the kind of school we had imagined but hadn’t found. A place where learning was real, meaningful, and human. And that’s when the question shifted. It was no longer “Where will we send her?” It became “What if we built it—for her, and for others?” This is where Acton Academy Calgary Central began.
Acton Academy's learner-driven model, successfully implemented in over 300 schools worldwide, nurtures children's innate curiosity while empowering them through hands-on experiences and mentorship. We are honored to bring this proven and innovative approach to Calgary, building an inclusive community where students can discover their strengths, embrace lifelong curiosity, and develop the character and skills to make a meaningful impact on the world.
Our vision extends far beyond academic achievement – it is about cultivating compassionate leaders and visionary changemakers who will help shape the future of Calgary and beyond. We believe in the limitless potential of every child and are dedicated to fostering an environment of trust, inspiration, and growth. Our mission is to guide learners as they uncover their unique strengths and passions, building the courage, creativity, and resilience needed to tackle tomorrow's challenges with confidence.
Together, we can reimagine education in Calgary and create a future where learners are inspired to lead lives of purpose, contribution, and significance.
