3 Key Features

WHAT MAKES ACTON DIFFERENT? 3 Key Features

Best In Class| What makes a good school
February 20, 2025•1 min read

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you'll make. With so many educational philosophies out there, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. So, what makes Acton Leadership Academy stand out? Here are three key factors that set us apart from traditional schools:

What Makes Acton Leadership Academy Different?

1. A Learner-Driven Approach

Many schools claim to be "student-centered," but at Acton, we go a step further—we are learner-driven. What does that mean? It means that your child is in the driver's seat of their education.

Rather than passively receiving information from teachers, Acton learners take ownership of their learning journey. They make choices within structured boundaries, set personal goals, and develop the independence needed to thrive in the real world. Parents and educators act as guides and cheerleaders, trusting that, given the right tools and support, learners will take charge of their own success.

2. Whole Family Growth & Transformation

Acton isn’t just a school—it’s a transformational journey for the entire family. Many parents initially think, “This is about my child’s education, not about me.” But we believe that true, lasting change happens when families grow together.

We provide parents with tools, coaching, and resources to help them become stronger leaders at home, mirroring the same principles we teach learners. These resources would typically cost thousands of dollars elsewhere, but we include them because we know that when parents embrace lifelong learning, children thrive.

At Acton, your child isn’t the only one on a hero’s journey—you are too.

3. Character First Philosophy

Academics matter, but at Acton, we believe that character comes first. We focus on developing servant leaders—children who take responsibility for their actions, contribute to their community, and act with integrity.

Michelle Bowen is the lead “Education Game Changer” at a unique type of K-12 school designed to prepare the next generation of Dreamers, Doers & Entrepreneurs to find their calling and change the world! Michelle’s schools are designed as leadership and mindset training schools where the children are in charge. Yes, you read that correctly; the children make and alter the rules, hold each other accountable, choose what they need to learn, and even teach themselves! The adults take a back seat role so that the children get daily, hands-on leadership development experiences. With their passion for helping young people discover their calling , Michelle and her husband Brad began their first school with their own SIX children in mind. Now, they are on a mission to open eighteen more schools in the North Houston area and eventually to take this cost-effective leadership school to international locations, where resources for quality education are lacking. In addition to impacting hundreds of families with the starkly-unique education model, Michelle has been recognized for her efforts in the global network of Acton Acadmey Schools for her innovation with learning design and principle-based leadership. Michelle has written a Playbook for Acton Socratic Guides with her most important tools and tips. She is also a coach to parents and other school owners and equips them with to empower and trust the children so they are truly empowered to find their calling.

Michelle Bowen

Michelle Bowen is the lead “Education Game Changer” at a unique type of K-12 school designed to prepare the next generation of Dreamers, Doers & Entrepreneurs to find their calling and change the world! Michelle’s schools are designed as leadership and mindset training schools where the children are in charge. Yes, you read that correctly; the children make and alter the rules, hold each other accountable, choose what they need to learn, and even teach themselves! The adults take a back seat role so that the children get daily, hands-on leadership development experiences. With their passion for helping young people discover their calling , Michelle and her husband Brad began their first school with their own SIX children in mind. Now, they are on a mission to open eighteen more schools in the North Houston area and eventually to take this cost-effective leadership school to international locations, where resources for quality education are lacking. In addition to impacting hundreds of families with the starkly-unique education model, Michelle has been recognized for her efforts in the global network of Acton Acadmey Schools for her innovation with learning design and principle-based leadership. Michelle has written a Playbook for Acton Socratic Guides with her most important tools and tips. She is also a coach to parents and other school owners and equips them with to empower and trust the children so they are truly empowered to find their calling.

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