Laura Sandefer of Acton Academy on Learner Driven Education
What if school taught kids to run toward hard things instead of away from them? That is the question Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy, has spent her career answering.
In Episode 48, Mark Crandall talks with Laura Sandefer, co-founder of Acton Academy and author of Courage to Grow. Together they explore innovative, learner-driven education, the very system Laura helped build. Laura shares how, in 2009, she and her husband created Acton Academy to combine time-tested practices with cutting-edge learning science. Today Acton Academy is a worldwide network. This network includes Dr. Carolyn Colleen's Mid-West Acton. Dr. Carolyn goes deep into taking Acton's model to the world through youth business fairs. See Dr. Carolyn's work.
These micro-schools center on the “Hero’s Journey” framework, inviting each child on an adventure where they set personal goals, face challenges, and discover their own talents. Laura explains that by giving students agency over their learning, Acton Academy nurtures independence and confidence, qualities missing in traditional classrooms.
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Key insights from the episode include:
Learner-Driven Model: Laura emphasizes Acton’s core principle: students learn by doing. Instead of a one-size-fits-all curriculum, Acton Academies use self-paced lessons, project-based quests, and Socratic discussions. This puts children in control of mastering reading, math, and critical thinking. As Acton’s website notes, this model “empowers young learners to find their passion and achieve their full potential”. Laura calls this an education where kids “take learning into their own hands,” preparing them to be curious, self-motivated adults.
Heroes, Not Victims: A recurring theme is mindset. Laura explains that Acton Academy students are taught to adopt a hero mentality, facing challenges head-on, rather than a passive victim mentality. By framing education as a hero’s journey, children tackle real problems and learn from failure. This shift is crucial to raising future leaders: kids learn to think deeply and freely, which “instills purpose” and drives innovation in a changing world.
Kid Entrepreneurs in Action: True to Acton’s entrepreneurial spirit, Laura has spearheaded Acton’s Children’s Business Fairs. In these one-day events, students build brands, create products, and sell to customers, essentially running their own company for a morning. Laura notes that these fairs give children “hands-on entrepreneurial experience,” boosting their confidence and teaching practical skills for a rapidly changing economy. (This ties into the larger Acton Children’s Business Fair movement, which connects young entrepreneurs globally.)
Episode 48 makes it clear that Acton Academy’s radical model is about much more than homework, it’s about igniting inner drive. To learn more about this approach and how it’s impacting education, give this interview a listen.
For even more on youth entrepreneurship and learner-driven schools, read Dr. Carolyn Colleen’s interview in Episode 17.
Dr. Colleen leads Acton Academy Midwest and is actively building these ideas at a local level. Stay inspired and take action today: listen to The Purpose Chasers and discover how communities like ours are nurturing young principled entrepreneurs through innovative education.
And now Dr. Carolyn's most recent interview in which she shares on her growth at the Mid-West Acton. Dr. Carolyn dives deep on her expansion of the Acton Academy Model out in the world. Read more on her recent work with over 150 Youth Entrepreneurs. Click HERE
Listen now: stream this episode of The Purpose Chasers Podcast and join the conversation about transforming education and empowering kids. Learn more at thepurposechasers.com.
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