Acton Studios
In short
About the Studios
Students at Acton Academy Timișoara learn together in mixed-age classrooms (we call them Studios), bringing the classic one-room schoolhouse into the modern age. Kids learn to mentor and be mentored by each other. Guides—our term for teachers—are not lecturers, but facilitators of student learning and growth. Kids and parents track their learner’s progress on an online dashboard updated daily.
The Studios at Acton Academy Timișoara are beautiful and flexible spaces for work, learning, and play. Each Studio is a tight-knit community of mixed-age learners who support each other and collaborate daily. This environment fosters a culture of respect and much of the character development that occurs here.
We replaced external motivators like high-stakes test scores and grades with an intrinsic growth mindset, so our students are motivated to work hard and have fun.
Respect is the foundation for every other skill we learn at Acton Academy Timișoara. We respect our time, our fellow learners, our space, and our materials. The students work together to create rules for the space. Some areas might be off limits for play, while others are more flexible. Ultimately, the students come together to agree to those ground rules and promises — all based on a key promise to not distract themselves or each other during times of work.
Elementary Studio
Ages 6-11 | grades 0-5
The Elementary Studio is a place where younger students ages 6-10 (grades 0-4) come together to learn core skills (math, reading, writing) and develop life skills and character while having ample opportunities for collaboration, exploration, and free play.
Children use hands-on materials as well as adaptive technology to build a strong foundation of core skills.
Younger children have more time to explore and play, one of the most effective ways for young children to develop social and problem-solving skills. They learn how to set goals, work collaboratively, and love learning, while also helping and being helped by their friends in the Studio.
Middle School Studio
Ages 12-14 | Grades 6-8
Launching in the future
The Middle School Studio is for students ages 11-14 (grades 5-8) who have already proven that they are able to work independently.
These students will work on difficult real-world problems and learn to write and think more deeply. Students continue collaborating, building their character, and building friendships with their studio-mates who will challenge and support them through peer review of their work.
This Studio ultimately brings students to a deeper understanding of their character, while they explore their natural talents and gifts to discover who they are and where they are headed.
High School Studio
ages 15-18 | grades 9-12
Launching in the future
Our self-directed, project-based high school (grades 9-12) is for learners who want to design their own high school experience so it “fits” their goals, dreams, and learning preferences. In high school, there is a deep focus on internships, apprenticeships, purpose-seeking, and career readiness for life’s next steps.
Depending on their passions and interests, our high schoolers will go on to attend top colleges, explore gap years, start businesses, launch nonprofits, and enter the workforce at an entry-level or beyond the entry-level job.
Regardless of the destination, learners will use the resources of Acton Academy Timisoara to discover and pursue their calling.
