At Acton, 'Money Day' isn’t about parties or prizes. It’s the final Friday of every session, and it’s one of the most sacred, powerful, and growth-filled days our heroes experience. If you think the real magic happens during Exhibition, you’re only seeing part of the picture.

Why We Call It “Money Day”

Years ago, some families would leave town after Exhibition Thursday, thinking that the Friday following would be "Fluff Friday," much like the final day of session in their previous school; where little (if any) important learning would take place. That’s when we started calling Friday "Money Day" —to signal that it might just be the most valuable day of all. The name stuck. And now, families know: don’t skip the final Friday of the session!

What Happens on Money Day?

1. Exhibition Debrief

The day begins with deep reflection. Heroes gather to talk about Exhibition:

What worked?

What could be better next time?

How did I show up—for myself, my team, and our guests?

This isn’t surface-level feedback. It’s honest, detailed, and full of insights. They’re learning how to assess their own performance and grow from it—an essential life skill.

2. Culture Review & “Leave It on the Field” Circles

This is where the emotional growth happens. Heroes reflect on the entire session:

How was our culture?

Did we uphold our contracts?

What do I need to own?

Then comes “Leave It on the Field,” a circle where heroes speak openly and vulnerably.

The heroes share unresolved tensions, offer apologies, and clear the air before heading into the next session. It’s like a snow globe moment—everyone steps back to really see what’s happening inside their studio.

This ritual isn’t always smooth or polished—but it’s transformative.

It’s the kind of emotional intelligence and maturity most adults wish they’d learned sooner. It takes practice, and Acton Heroes get that opportunity each session.

3. Character Callouts & Appreciation

Heroes celebrate one another—calling out the moments they saw courage, grit, kindness, or leadership. These moments of recognition build a culture of respect and shared growth.

4. Studio Reset

Yes, there’s a physical element too. Heroes take home their projects, clean out their space, and do a deeper studio clean. This isn’t just tidying—it’s about resetting and recommitting to excellence.

5. Games, Team Building & Sometimes a Celebration

Depending on the studio, there may be an earned celebration or fun activity. But only after the important reflection and reset work is done. Traditions committees often help plan these experiences to honor the hard work and growth of the session.

6. Final Badge Submissions (for older heroes)

In our older studios, the end of a session can feel like finals week. Heroes race to finish badge work, submit projects, and meet real deadlines. This isn’t hypothetical—it’s a crash course in managing priorities, commitments, and responsibilities under pressure.

Why It Matters

Money Day isn’t about wrapping things up—it’s about making sense of everything that just happened. Heroes don’t just learn academic material at Acton. They learn how to live: