Our mission is to inspire each child and parent who enters our doors to discover their unique gifts and change the world in a profound way

Our Studios

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SPARK "MONTESSORI" STUDIO

Our "Spark" Studio. An education for ages 3-7 (Pre-K to 1st Grade).

A group of kids learning to read at Acton Academy St. George Utah

ELEMENTARY STUDIO

Our "Discovery" Studio. An education for ages ~ 7-11 (2nd to 5th grade).

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MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDIO

Our "Adventure" Studio. An education for ages 12-14 (6th to 8th grade).

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HIGH SCHOOL STUDIO

Our "Launchpad" Studio. An education for ages 14-18 (9th to 12th grade).

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For ages 3-7

The Spark Studio

Preschool & Kindergarten

Harness Curiosity

Like Maria Montessori, we believe that even the youngest children have important work to do, whether that is academic in nature or building an imaginary world in our outdoor natural playscape.

The Spark Montessori Inspired Preschool & Kindergarten studio is designed to spark curiosity through hands-on experiences and play-based challenges to develop the independence, focus, and kindness needed to enter an Acton Elementary Studio — each prepared to discover a calling that will change the world.

  • Grow curiosity through hands-on projects and outdoor adventure "Spark" play
  • Explore mindfulness, natural interests, music, and have a LOT of fun
  • Build the foundations of independent learning, personally responsibility, reading, writing, communication, math, grace and courtesy, kindness, etc.

Available Schedules

All the Learners, ages 3-7, in the Spark "Montessori Inspired" studio, are combined in a mixed age studio.

Ages 3-4

Both part time and full time options are available for our 3 and 4 year old Learners. However, if a family wants a 3 year old to go full time, they will typically start part time until they are ready, at which point we have a discussion with the family to make sure everyone is in agreement that full-time is the right thing for the Learner and family.

Ages 5-7

Typically beginning around age 5, if not before, we begin discussions about moving learners to full-day Kindergarten so they can get the full experience of our outdoor space and begin to prepare them for our Elementary "Discovery" Studio.

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Our Spark studio has a few schedule options available as indicated above. However, we are a 5-day a week program with part time option for our youngest learners.

 

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For ages 7-11

The Discovery Studio

An Elementary School

Accomplish important work and play well with others

An Acton Elementary Studio is like a close-knit neighborhood where learners tackle important work, solve real problems, collaborate with peers, and engage in increasingly challenging games. This environment fosters a culture of respect, hard work, and character development.

Elementary age learners learn to:

  • Have fun and be kind
  • Set and track goals
  • Ask great questions
  • Build a solid foundation of Math, Reading, Writing, and Civilization
  • Explore and be curious to develop a love of learning through hands-on project-based learning
  • Real world projects in science, entrepreneurship, nature, physical education, etc.

We replaced external motivators like high-stakes test scores and grades with an intrinsic growth mindset, so our learners are motivated to work hard and have fun. Respect is the foundation for every other skill we learn at Acton Academy St. George. We respect our time, our fellow learners, our space, and our materials. The learners work together to create rules for their studio. Some areas might be off-limits for play, while others are more flexible. Ultimately, the learners 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.

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For ages 11-14

The Adventure Studio

A Middle School

Learn to Work Hard

The "Adventure" Middle School Studio (ages 11-14) at Acton Academy St. George is where students learn to work hard, develop real-world skills, and literally adventure into the real world. We believe each of our students will find a passion, something they love and have a gift to do. Finding and pursuing this gift is what we call the Hero's Journey. Our mission at Acton Academy St. George is to equip our students with the skills and tools they will need to find and realize their life's purpose. During the transformative Middle School years, we inspire our young people to develop independent thinking, strong friendships, leadership skills, and pursue their work with integrity. As you immerse yourself in this journey, you:

  • Learn to work hard
  • Manage your work and lead your studio
  • Master core skills (reading, writing, and math)
  • Dive deep into quests; explore the real world through apprenticeships
  • Prepare to change the world

Note: This studio is currently planned to open in Fall 2025. Limited space will be available.

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For ages 14-18

The Launchpad Studio

A High School

Committing to Your Next Great Adventure

Launchpad (High School) at Acton Academy St. George is where learners prepare for their next great adventure. Whether that next step is a selective college, launching your own business, or your first job at SpaceX or Google, Launchpad will help prepare you for the adventure of a lifetime.

Extraordinary young leaders spend time doing something they love to do, inspired by world class coaches and experts, and having fun with friends as they create lifelong memories.

Launchpad heroes:

  • Read deep literature; communicate clearly and powerfully; and tackle real world computational challenges.
  • Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance.
  • Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions.
  • Serve in leadership roles in lower studios, their community, and around the world in the Acton Network.

A day at Acton Academy St. George

A day in our studios is marked by creativity within constraints: large blocks of time for work and play with clear but broad guardrails, equipping young people to manage their time, set goals, and maybe most of all, have fun.

As learners demonstrate their readiness, they earn more freedom and responsibility. In the Montessori "Spark" studio, mornings are spent in a traditional Montessori work cycle with afternoons spent outside engaged in intentional "Spark" play. In our older studios mornings are reserved for Core Skills and games while afternoons are typically for hands-on projects and civilization (history) with integrated time to reflect, think deeply, and connect with peers.

Within each work block, students choose from a broad range of work options based on their personal goals, passions, and commitments.

Each day starts and ends with a discussion to "launch" the day and reflect on the day, respectively.

A Learner-Driven Community

Our Learner Driven Communities are run mostly by our Eagles, where closely connected families of lifelong learners are bound by clear covenants; and “Learning to Do” and “Learning to Be” is far more important than “Learning to Know.”

  • Students create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms (think US Constitution).
  • Mentor teams encourage younger and older students to listen, affirm, set goals, and hold each other accountable.
  • "Learn to Be" badges celebrate character building and servant leader challenges.