rachel moore, FOUNDER
In 2020 my family and I decided to move from Connecticut to the 30A area for many reasons, including a more appealing climate and lifestyle. Just a few months later, one of my best friends and the only other entrepreneur in my CT network, decided to leave the state as well and move to Austin, TX. At the suggestions of local entrepreneurial parents in her friend group she enrolled her daughter at an Acton Academy. That first week her daughter attended the school I remember Liz calling me and saying “You won’t believe this school. There are no desks or homework. It’s so different, so cool…you need one on 30A.”.
When Liz suggested I open an Acton Academy in our area I laughed at the thought. Owning 3 businesses already with 2 young kids I was not looking to add anything to my plate. I loved the idea of my kids attending such an individualized school that fostered the entrepreneurial spirit but I knew from many failed attempts, my strengths did not lie in operations. How could I open such a specialized school without someone to lead the day to day?
My family’s path crossed with an adventurous teacher, Amanda Heller, who had unschooled her own children and was discouraged with the one size fits all approach of the public school system. She was willing to take the call to adventure and help start an Acton Academy of 30A.
Our first year was 5-6 learners in a small home in the woods. The second year we were able to purchase a building across from the gorgeous white sand beaches of 30A to house more learners.
In addition to the benefits of the individualized learning Acton encourages I can see what an impact it has on a learner’s mental health. If you measure a true artist to the same standards as someone who has a gut passion for chemistry, depending on the measure, one will fall short. That conditioning can have life long implications. We know each person has a calling and we want to present opportunities and challenges that help learners recognize their unique gifts.
Some unexpected but wonderful benefits of sending my kids to Acton Academy of 30a have been the later start time that allows them more sleep and the wonderful families we have met. In just a couple years we have attracted such amazing families called to adventure and willing to risk the unknown for such great potential. They have become our village.
If you have felt a similar nudge that traditional education may not be the right path for your family I would encourage you to read the book “Courage to Grow” by Acton Academy co-founder Laura Sandefer. It explains her motivation and mission for this growing community of schools.