What if children are far more capable than we imagine?
Acton Academy Topsail is an innovative Pre-K through 12th Co-School in the Coastal North Carolina.
Answer your big questions about Acton Academy with this helpful Info Kit
- What is Acton Academy?
- Is my family ready?
- How do we enroll?
"I am confident that any randomly-selected ten-year-old from Acton would have succeeded instantly where at least some MIT graduates failed."Matt Greenfield, Rethink Education
"The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE school."Heather Staker, Ready to Blend
"Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world."Tom Vander Ark, CEO of Getting Smart
"This is the kind of school I wished I had as a kid, to grow up super entrepreneurial."Gary Vaynerchuk, Entrepreneur
Hi 👋 We are Nick and Jessica
We’re ordinary parents, just like you — parents who believe every child arrives on this earth with unique gifts and passions meant to be discovered, nurtured, and shared. We want our children to know who they are, to find purpose, and to build meaningful lives in a world full of distractions.
When we discovered Jeff and Laura Sandefer and what they were creating with Acton Academy, we knew instantly: this was what we’d been looking for.
At Acton, young people don’t chase grades or take endless tests. They take ownership of their learning — developing real skills and character through Learning to Learn, Learning to Do, and Learning to Be.
That’s what inspired us, like more than 300 other parent entrepreneurs around the world, to bring Acton Academy to our community.
If you believe your child deserves an education with meaning, purpose, and joy, we invite you to see how Acton Academy is turning learning upside down.
Why Acton Works for Families Like Yours
Learners Thrive When Given Ownership.
Self-management and self-governance are celebrated daily by learners who use 21st Century skills to tackle real world projects, inspired by classic heroes in a tightly bound community with extremely high standards.
Learning Happens Best by Doing.
Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship, and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships, and real-world challenges.
'Learning to Be' is the most important learning of all.
Grit, courage, and perseverance in the face of real challenges transforms learners as they discover how to use their gifts to serve others in a way that brings them deep joy.
Introducing Spark Studio
Montessori-Inspired Learning for Ages 4-7
- Hands-on Montessori approach to early learning
- Small class sizes with individualized attention
- Nurturing environment that builds independence
- Play-based discovery and joyful exploration
Three BIG questions for the info kit
What is Acton?
We'll share what Acton is and what it isn't, along with resources that have inspired families like yours.
Is my family ready?
Not everyone is ready for an Acton experience. We'll share what it will take and help you decide if your family is ready.
How do we enroll?
We'll share when you can enroll, what it will cost, and if you qualify for any financial assistance.
Our Learning Philosophy inspires everything we do.
Clear thinking leads to good decisions, good decisions lead to the right habits, the right habits forge character, and character determines destiny.
Acton is spreading all across the world,because every child deserves to find a callingthat will change the world
Current availability by studio
Spark
Ages 4–7
Discovery
Ages 6–12
Middle School
Ages 12–15
Launchpad
Ages 15–18
What others are saying about Acton
Matt Greenfield
Rethink Education
"I am confident that any randomly-selected ten-year-old from Acton would have succeeded instantly where at least some MIT graduates failed."
Heather Staker
Ready to Blend
"The most amazing outcome at Acton is that young heroes there are genuinely enthralled with learning. Simply said, they LOVE school."
Tom Vander Ark
CEO of Getting Smart
"Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world."
Gary Vaynerchuk
Entrepreneur
"This is the kind of school I wished I had as a kid, to grow up super entrepreneurial."