Acton Academy Northwest Austin

VIDEOS

What Makes a Hero?
TED Ed - Matthew Winkler

Explore Joseph Campbell’s concept of the Hero’s Journey and how it applies to life and storytelling. In this video, the narrator illustrates the universal pattern of personal transformation, showing how individuals grow through challenges and triumphs—emphasizing that each of us is the hero of our own journey.

​​Find a Calling, Change the World
TEDx Talk - Jeff Sandefer

Jeff challenges traditional schooling, showing how learner-driven models empower young people to take ownership of their education and thrive beyond conventional expectations.

Educate Your Children!
Acton Founder Jeff Sandefer with Jordan Peterson

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and Jeff Sandefer discuss the origins and failures of the K-12 education system and how Acton Academies are working to transform it. An entrepreneur and Socratic teacher, Sandefer founded multiple successful companies, including Sandefer Capital Partners, and launched innovative academic programs such as the Acton School of Business, whose students were named the “most competitive MBAs in the nation” by the Princeton Review. His work in education now extends to K-12 with Acton Academy, a cutting-edge model combining a one-room schoolhouse, the Socratic Method, and 21st-century technology to empower students to change the world.

How to Run a School With 3 Adults or Less
Acton Founder Laura Sandefer on Dad Saves America Podcast

What happens when you remove all but three adults from a school? You get Acton Academy. Co-founder Laura Sandefer, author of Courage to Grow, believes children thrive when empowered to make mistakes, fail, and grow independently. She helps parents establish new Acton Academies, a radical school model that shifts power to students, fostering ownership of their learning and choices from an early age.

Seth Godin Reviews Acton Academy
Award-winning author and thought leader, Seth Godin, on our model

In a review of Acton Academy, best-selling author Seth Godin praises its innovative approach to education, highlighting its departure from traditional schooling methods. He emphasizes the school's focus on fostering self-directed learning, critical thinking, and real-world problem-solving skills. Godin commends Acton Academy for preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing world by nurturing their innate curiosity and entrepreneurial spirit.

Changing Educational Paradigms
TED Talk - Sir Ken Robinson

Sir Ken Robinson challenges outdated, industrial-era schooling that stifles creativity. Sir Ken Robinson critiques standardized testing and rigid structures, advocating for a system that nurtures curiosity, innovation, and diverse thinking.

A Day in the Life of Acton Students
Get a peek into a typical day in the life in a learner-driven community

"Acton Academy - A Day in the Life" offers a look into the daily routines of students at Acton Academy, highlighting their focus on self-directed learning and personal growth. The video shows how learners engage in Socratic discussions, set individual goals, and work on hands-on projects within a community that values character development and academic excellence. It provides insight into Acton’s unique approach, empowering students to take charge of their own learning.


Disruptive Education - A Mini Documentary
An award-winning mini documentary about the Acton Academy approach

"Disruptive Education" is a mini-documentary that showcases Acton Academy’s innovative approach to learning, challenging traditional education with a focus on learner-driven experiences and self-discovery. The film highlights how Acton empowers students to take ownership of their education, fostering critical thinking and a love for learning, while inspiring them to find a calling that will change the world. Featuring insights from educators and parents, the documentary offers a look into this transformative educational model.

School Kids as Factory Products
Zach Lahn, fellow Acton Academy Founder Founder, with Jordan Peterson

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson and Zach Lahn discuss Wonder School, a Socratic-based education in Wichita, Kansas, focused on learner-driven education. They explore the origins of the American school system and its role in shaping character. The conversation covers a day in the life of a Wonder learner, the inspiring curriculum, and why this unconventional approach may appeal to parents. Zach Lahn, co-founder of Wonder, has a background in business, political campaigns, and fundraising, and now focuses on the school and a regenerative farm with his family.

Let's Use Video to Reinvent Education
TED Talk - Sal Khan

Sal Khan discusses how technology can transform traditional education by personalizing learning. Khan highlights the potential of online platforms to allow students to learn at their own pace, fostering deeper understanding and mastery while promoting self-directed learning.

Build a School in the Cloud
TED Talk - Sugata Mitra

Sugata explores how education must evolve in a rapidly changing world. Sugata Mitra shares insights from his "Hole in the Wall" experiments, revealing how curiosity and self-directed learning can drive deep understanding without traditional teaching.

The Myth of Average
TEDx Talk - Todd Rose

Todd Rose challenges the concept of a "one-size-fits-all" approach to education. Rose argues that embracing individual differences and recognizing the diversity of learners leads to more effective education, pushing for a system that tailors to each student's unique strengths and needs.

How to Help Every Child Fulfill their Potential
TED Talk - Carol Dweck

Carol Dweck explores the concept of a "growth mindset." Dweck emphasizes that believing in the ability to grow through effort and perseverance leads to greater success, resilience, and a love of learning, challenging fixed ideas about intelligence.

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