Frequently Asked Questions

Hero Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy 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.

The best way to find out is to request our free Info Kit and schedule a call. We look for families who are ready to embrace learner-driven education—where children take ownership of their learning journey. If you believe your child is capable of more than traditional school offers and you're ready to partner with us in this adventure, Hero Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy might be perfect for your family.

We currently offer The Spark Studio (ages 4-7). We plan to launch the Discovery Studio for ages 8-11 in 2027.

Tuition is $6,650 per year. We offer a 5% discount per sibling.

Yes, Hero Schoolhouse operates as a homeschool co-op, combining the flexibility of homeschooling with the community and structure of a learner-driven environment.

Hero Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy is located at 8401 Spring Road, Suite 3, New Bloomfield, PA 17068.

Hero Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy follows the Acton network calendar, running from September to early July. Our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year without sacrificing any learning. The school calendar is based on a series of 5- to 6-week project sprints called "Quests", each with a theme – like Rockets, Robots, Medical Biology, or Detective Chemistry. Each Quest is a grand adventure, culminating in a high-stakes public Exhibition for family and friends.

View our full calendar and schedule →

History comes alive through Quests-hands-on projects where learners explore the people, places, and ideas that shaped civilization. Instead of memorizing dates, they read great stories, engage in Socratic discussions, and wrestle with big questions like democracy, justice, and leadership. The goal is not just knowledge of the past, but the critical thinking and leadership skills to shape the future.

Science is taught through Quests-real-world projects where learners experiment, build, and solve problems. Instead of memorizing facts, they design experiments, test hypotheses, and apply concepts in meaningful ways. Socratic discussions push them to ask "why," connect ideas, and wrestle with the ethical and leadership questions behind discovery. The goal is not just scientific knowledge, but curiosity, creativity, and confidence in tackling the unknown.

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.

We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike and expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization.

Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At Hero Schoolhouse: An Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.

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.

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.

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.

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 curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.

We can accommodate a lot of different learning styles, but we are unable to accommodate any learners that require to have an additional, dedicated adult for their learning in the studio. Being a learner-driven environment, we are intentional about the role of adults in the studio, and that is to be a Guide who acts as more of a gamemaker and always tries to give ownership and agency to the learners.

We believe each of our heroes will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people's day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child's eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero's Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people's lives.