Frequently Asked Questions

We currently serve children in preschool - 8th grade and are growing to High School in the near future.

The Ethos School is part of a network of 300+ Acton Academies around the world. Our Spark Studio (ages 3-6) is an authentic Montessori environment, which serves as the ideal foundation for incorporation of a hybrid Acton Academy & Montessori approach in the Discovery Studio (ages 6-9) and Explorer Studio (ages 9-11). These studios utilize a traditional Montessori environment for Core Skills learning with integration of cutting-edge, hands-on project-based learning and Socratic discussions. In principle and philosophy, The Ethos School is in alignment with the Montessori method at all stages of learning. In the Adventure Studio/Middle School (ages 11-14), Montessori principles remain intact with a deeper focus on self-paced adaptive technology, Socratic guidance, Project-Based Learning, and Apprenticeships beginning in Middle School.

We operate on an 11 month calendar, but our flexible program allows families to travel together throughout the year.

We are not trained or staffed to serve children with special needs, neurodivergence, or who need specialized attention. We treat each and every situation individually, so if you are interested in The Ethos School and believe it is a great fit for your family, please inquire and we will personally assess your unique situation and the fit of your learner.

We believe that children learn best when learning in a multi-age studio with opportunities to share and model for children younger, as well as children older, than themselves. In addition to individualized curriculum, mixed age groups work and learn together.

Yes, the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools.

At The Ethos School, we believe in Learning to Be and Learning to Do. An important piece of this is encouraging young people to take responsibility for themselves and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn't working, we want our learners to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence, confidence, and self-sufficiency that will serve them well in all areas of life, today and tomorrow.

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 fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for this special journey.

While we expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and examine the historical importance of religion to the development of Civilization, we do not promote any one religion, while deeply respecting different religious beliefs.

We provide a marriage of authentic Montessori education blended with a 21st century learning environment using the latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery of reading, writing, math, and elective courses. Learners are placed according to ability so that our program can meet the child exactly where they are. Children move on to the next level only after the content has been mastered, which ensures there are no learning gaps.

Learning at The Ethos School goes beyond traditional metrics of grades and test scores. Our learners demonstrate and celebrate mastery of subjects by earning badges, tracking weekly progression as a measure of effort, and presenting their work to the community regularly through public exhibitions as real-world tests. Moreover, through the use of self-paced learning, parents can access progress via badges in areas like reading, writing, and math. The IOWA standardized test will also be offered as part of exposing them to a real-world experience.

Yes! The Ethos School is a participating school in the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship. Eligible North Carolina families may receive scholarship funds to help cover tuition costs. Please contact us for more details on eligibility and how to apply.

The Ethos School is currently located at 1201 W Woodcroft Parkway, Durham, NC 27713. Starting 2026-27, we will be at 101 Center Pointe Dr, Cary, NC.