Acton MIDDLE SCHOOL
Acton Middle School, for grades 6, 7, and 8, combines individualized learning with Socratic discussions, real-world projects, and apprenticeships. Middle school students at Acton are held to a high standard of excellence, and readiness to join Acton’s middle school requires a high degree of independence and responsibility.
The Acton Middle School Curriculum
Learning to Do, Learning to Learn, Learning to Be
Learning to Do
At Acton, students learn by doing—they build and create, solve problems, and engage with the world. Students take on real-world challenges in the form of 4-6-week-long projects in which they use math, writing, physics, economics, civilizations, and more. In one project, students play the role of a doctor having to triage and accurately diagnose patients in the ER, where mistakes can be a matter of life and death. In another, learners explore robotics and the intersection of classical mechanics and programming. In another, students reenact the trial of Socrates, playing the roles of prosecutors, defendants, and members of the jury as they explore ancient Athens, philosophy, and morality. Learning at Acton is challenging and fun!
Learning to Learn
At Acton, students learn how to learn. In middle school, Acton students are increasingly self-directed. They set and achieve goals for themselves in math, reading, writing, economics, philosophy, political science, art and creativity, and more. Students learn that hard work, focus, and deep practice are required to master subjects. Acton students understand that high standards of excellence are expected of each student and the community.
Learning to Be
At Acton, students learn how to be. They are given increased responsibility for managing their school community. Acton students practice resilience, learn to be kind to others, and build lifelong friendships.
The Acton Adventure Program
Adventure Van, Adventure Trips, and Apprenticeships
Adventure Van
At Acton Middle School, students explore the world around them! With the use of an adventure van—a 15-passenger Ford Transit—every week students go somewhere new.
Adventure Trips
Adventures include trips to national monuments and parks; kayaking on the Potomac River; skiing at Whitetail Mountain Resort; and visits to factories, architecture firms, warehouses, construction sites, and more.
These excursions inspire, equip, and connect students on their journey to discover who they are and what they want to be. Many adventures are hard, both mentally and physically. As a result, these trips become rites of passage, marking key milestones and cultivating deep friendships.
At Acton, middle schoolers emerge as strong, independent young adults who are ready take on their next great adventure in high school and beyond.
Apprenticeships
At Acton, middle school students continue their engagement with the world around them by doing apprenticeships at DC-area organizations and businesses.
The Apprenticeship Quest at Acton Middle School is a six-week project. Students begin by exploring their skills and interests. Through research, they then identify jobs and industries that align with their skills and interests. Once they have narrowed down one or two target opportunities, they develop a “pitch” that highlights the value they would bring to a particular business, organization, or person in a one-week apprenticeship. Apprenticeship opportunities are limited only to what the students can identify and make happen. Students at other Acton schools have done apprenticeships at an architecture firm, construction company, clothing designer, professional sports team, and carpenter shop.
These early experiences finding and pursuing opportunities and creating value for others are invaluable for students as they prepare for the work world ahead.
