What grades do you offer?
We currently offer a Spark Studio for ages 4-6, and a Discovery Studio for ages 6-12. We have plans to soon offer K-12 options for all families! Please contact us for more details.
How is Acton Academy Mississauga different?
Acton Academy Mississauga is turning learning upside down in every sense of the experience. Learners are in control of their environment and of their own learning.
In an Acton studio, you will find:
- No homework
- No teachers lecturing
- No grades
- No tests
- Real world projects and experiments
- Socratic discussions
- Learner self-governance
- A guide, rather than a teacher
- Apprenticeships to gauge interest in aptitudes
- Achievement of badges and portfolios of completed work
How is Acton Academy Mississauga affiliated with Acton Academy?
Acton Academy Mississauga is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that our owners helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.
What can I expect for my learner and our family from Acton Academy Mississauga?
If you are hearing the call to adventure, we are the place for you! We promise to families the opportunity to:
- Begin a hero's journey
- Learn to be a curious, independent and lifelong learner
- Develop a deep respect for economic, political and religious freedom
- Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world and the mysteries of life on earth
- Discover your most precious gifts and learn to use them to serve others
Do you offer before and after school care options?
Yes! We offer before and after school care based on demand. This year (2025-2026) we are offering before school care starting at 8 am and after school care until 5 pm for an additional fee. Please contact us for further details.
How is learner progress measured?
Learners work through badge plans and set goals with their families through online tools and systems, which are tracked daily and weekly.
Our badge systems outlines expectations for core skills (reading, writing, math and spelling) as well as our Quest projects and social/emotional progress throughout the year.
Learners showcase their work in exhibitions at the end of every 6 week learning arc. We encourage families to actively participate in goal setting and review of work completed for each learner.
Is learning aligned with Ontario's curriculum?
We promise to prepare your child for any path they desire to be on. We don't align directly with Ontario curriculum, and offer learning in all subjects to prepare our learners to think clearly and learn content that matters.
For core skills (reading, writing, math and spelling), learners go through rigorous learning by using adaptive learning technology to ensure content is mastered and any gaps are filled.
For other subjects (history, sciences, programming, physical education and art), we used a project based approach to deeply explore areas of real-world uses of information and also focus on what interests our learners.
If a learner needs information at any time, we are confident they will be well equipped to take on the challenge and get the necessary information effectively, quickly and confidently.
Here is a video clip of Seth Godin speaking about the difference between memorizing information and knowing how to figure out what information is needed and where to find it.
Where is your school located?
We are located at 295 Queen Street South in Streetsville, in the Lower Hall of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.
How long is the school year?
At our school, the academic year typically runs from September to the end of June. The year is broken down into 5 or 6 week learning arcs, followed by a week of rest (usually aligned with weeks involving statutory holidays).
What is your tuition?
Tuition for the 2025-2026 year is $12,000 per learner, payable in monthly instalments. We offer a discount for sibling groups. Please contact us for more information.
Is the Acton Academy a Montessori school?
We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy but, we are not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.
Is Acton Academy Mississauga a religious school?
No it is not. We believe in political and religious freedom and leave it to families to decide what to teach. We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike and expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality. We address historical importance of many religions to the development of our culture.
Will an Acton education prepare my learner for college or university?
Our promise is to prepare and equip all learners for whatever future they choose and whatever challenge that they desire to conquer, including trying out traditional school or attending the most selective of universities. We support all journeys- even those that take away learners from our school! Moving to a traditional school is generally easier for our learners, although they may want to come back!
In applying to universities, our learners are ready to present rich portfolios of work including real-world experience and internships, which will make them stand out from the traditional crowd of university applicants. This makes them invaluable to the best universities eager to have diverse voices and learners who have real purpose in their attendance.
You may wish to read more about project-based learning at this link: How my project-based school prepared me for Columbia.
What do you mean by a hero's journey?
We believe that each of us has a special calling in life, and a series of trials and tests that must be faced with integrity and purpose, in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.
What is an "independent learner"?
Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems—admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help — participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.
What do you mean by a "running partner"?
Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.
Will children be grouped into grades?
We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized learner driven plans, all ages of students work together in groups in each studio.
Does Acton Academy Mississauga serve special needs children?
We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.
Is Acton Academy Mississauga an accredited school?
Acton Academy Mississauga is accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools. Acton Academy Mississauga has been assigned a BSID number by the Ministry of Education in Ontario and is listed as a private school on the Ministry's website.
What is a Guide and what do they do?
Guides are game makers that inspire learners to embark on their hero's journey. They offer real world challenges, tools, processes and frameworks to nurture the learner driven studio. They offer mirrors for learners to be accountable to themselves and to their fellow learners. And guides never answer a question…EVER!
