Welcome to the Info Kit.
A special message + a gift from our family to yours.
3 Big Questions
Your journey starts by exploring The Ethos School and reflecting on three key questions to see if it's the right fit for your family. Then you'll visit the campus to observe and ask questions, followed by a day where your child experiences The Ethos School firsthand to see if they're ready for the adventure.
Book a Campus Tour- 1
What is The Ethos School?
We'll share what The Ethos School is and what it isn't, along with resources that have inspired families like yours
- 2
Is my family ready?
Not everyone is ready for a The Ethos School experience. We'll share what it will take and help you decide if your family is ready.
- 3
How do we enroll?
We'll share when you can enroll, what it will cost, and if you qualify for any financial assistance.
Read the story that started it all.
Laura and Jeff started Acton Academy in 2009 with a simple belief and a small group of committed families. Today, Acton Academy is a global network of 300 campuses in 30 countries, empowering learners to take charge of their learning—and their lives. Read Laura's inspiring story about why they started, their biggest failures, and the surprising lessons they learned along the way.
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Listen On Audible"A game-changer for parents and educators alike! This book gives real insight into how we can radically rethink education, and it challenges conventional beliefs in a way that sparks action."
- Educator and Parent
"This book opened my eyes to the potential every child has when given the freedom to own their learning. It's a must-read for anyone who believes education can and should be transformative."
- The Ethos School Parent
"A bold and refreshing look at education that empowers children to lead their own journeys. This book is filled with honesty, wisdom, and a clear vision for the future of learning."
- Education Innovator
What does a day look like for an Ethos School learner?
Dive into these stories from Laura, Jeff, and Jake Thompson
Laura Sandefer
Dad Saves America
Educate Your Children!
Jeff Sandefer and Jordan Peterson
What We Missed in Education
TEDx by Jake Thompson
Our approach is designed for learners, not for bureaucracies
Traditional approach | Acton Academy approach | The “WHY” |
|---|---|---|
Academic Grading | Badges | Your child will be celebrated as he/she works towards goals & accomplishes them. Their confidence will grow! (Grades foster fear of failure & can lead to social labeling..) |
Regular Quizzes & Tests | Mastery is working on something until it compares to the work of a ‘master’. | Your child will examine world-class examples and work to master a breadth and depth of knowledge. Working for mastery is real-world success! |
Grouped by Age | Multi-Age Studios Creative, flexible spaces where children work with older & younger friends. | In addition to other social & developmental benefits, the community environment helps your child develop into a servant leader. |
Teacher Led Lectures | Socratic Guiding “Guides don’t answer questions, learners do!” | Focus on HOW to learn not WHAT to learn. Engaging challenges invite your child to discover knowledge for himself & develop a life-long love for learning. |
Single Level Learning | Individual Learning Plans For EVERY Learner | Your child is appropriately challenged to their level in every subject. (ie They can move ahead in math & take a bit more time to master reading & writing.) |
Three Types of Learning
Learning to Learn.
Young people learn how to learn first. When good habits are formed, learning comes faster, with more depth, and in way that preserves natural curiosity and love of learning.
Learning to Do.
Real learning is active, which is why we replace worksheets, essays, lectures, and tests with real world, hands-on experiences that invite learners to develop real skills and discover deep passions.
Learning to Be.
Much like the real world, learners face monsters that take them off course; the resistance to doing the hard-important thing, staying focused on long term goals when distraction is near, and feeling like you are a helpless victim, rather than the hero of your own story. When learners face these challenges with courage, grit, and determination, they learn to be.
Our promises to your child are that he or she will:
Embark on a Hero's Journey
Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner
Develop a deep respect for economic, political, and religious freedoms
Discover his or her most precious gifts and learn to use them to serve others
Cherish the arts, wonders of the world, and the pursuit of truth
Are you on a hero's journey?
What real The Ethos School families share is a belief that life is an adventure, and that through facing real challenges with courage and determination we get to transform into a more confident, capable version of ourselves. That's what we call the hero's journey.
Big questions for parents
Am I ready to let go of traditional expectations and embrace a more flexible, learner-driven approach to my child’s education?
How comfortable am I with giving my child the freedom to make decisions about their own learning, even if it means stepping back?
Am I prepared to support my child in facing challenges and setbacks without rushing in to fix things for them?
Do I believe that my child’s growth and success will come more from independence and resilience than from following a structured curriculum?
Am I willing to trust the process and give my child the space to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them?
Big questions for learners
Am I ready to take charge of my learning, even if I'm not good at it yet?
Am I willing to take risks, try new things, and learn from my mistakes?
Am I ready to take responsibility for my choices and the natural consequences that come with them?
Am I willing to do my best, work hard, and have fun?
You might be a fit if...
You believe your child has unique gifts that can be used to change the world
You don't believe the traditional model is working for most children
You try to maximize freedom and accountability at home
You believe Learning Happens Best by Doing
You've done courageous things in your own life
You believe Experience is the Best Teacher
You might NOT be a fit if...
You don't believe your child will generally make good choices of their own volition
You rarely hold your child accountable or offer boundaries at home
Both parents aren't on board
You don't feel The Ethos School deeply aligns with your beliefs
Your looking for a short term solution or for one difficult child
You don't see yourself on your own hero's journey
Family Promises
As a Parent at Acton Academy, I promise to: Choose a Hero’s Journey for myself. At Acton Academy, we believe the Hero’s Journey is for everyone—not just children. Parents commit to embracing challenges, learning from failure, and rejecting victimhood. They seek growth through books, meaningful work, and self-improvement— showing their children that the Hero’s Journey is a lifelong adventure.
Embrace Acton Academy as a self-paced, learner-driven environment. At Acton, real learning doesn’t follow a rigid schedule. Parents trust their children to take ownership of their education, relationships, and community. They see character and habits as the foundation of learning and embrace the ups and downs of growth.
Allow my child to fail early, cheaply, and often. Failure is a necessary part of growth. Parents at Acton resist the urge to rescue or fix; instead, they trust the studio environment and tools designed for learners to solve their own problems. They see their child not as a victim, but as a hero capable of courageous action.
Celebrate progress and reinforce responsible choices at home. True learning takes time and reflection. Acton parents stay curious, recognize opportunities to celebrate effort, and remove distractions like gaming, social media, or excessive screen time. They establish clear boundaries and offer real responsibility—fostering deep work, creativity, and growth at home.
As a Learner at Acton Academy, I promise to: Work hard and play hard. Acton learners give their best effort and celebrate life with joy, curiosity, and fun.
Make courageous choices. Acton learners step outside their comfort zones, face challenges with courage, and stand for what is right.
Keep my promises and take responsibility for my actions. When they fall short, Acton learners own their mistakes and accept natural consequences—growing stronger with each experience.
We have rolling admissions and you are welcome to audition and start at anytime during the year
Daily Schedule
Each day is broken up into work sprints with a shared purpose or goal.
Drop-off / Free Time
Daily Launch
Core Skills
Goal setting, math, Writers' Workshop, reading, civilization discussion, "Brain Breaks" throughout
Lunch / Free Time
Quest Launch (Socratic Discussion)
Quest
Hands-on work, team-based challenges, sciences, coding, entrepreneurship, art & music, history, report on goals.
Studio Maintenance
Closing Group (Socratic Discussion)
Namaste / Pick-Up
Annual Calendar
Each year is broken up into 7 session with breaks between.
We're centrally located in the Triangle area of North Carolina
The Ethos School is relocating to 101 Center Pointe Dr, Cary NC 27513 in the 2026-27 year.
Founders of The Ethos School along with their family
As a pediatrician, I have spent years working closely with children and families, witnessing how trust, curiosity, and meaningful challenge shape lifelong learners. My own experience at a learner-driven medical school showed me the power of self-paced, collaborative, and question-led learning—an approach very different from traditional education.
When I became a parent and later a homeschool educator in a Montessori environment, that vision became deeply personal. In 2016, my family and I began building The Ethos School to create the kind of learning environment I wanted for my own children.
At Ethos, children move at their own pace while being thoughtfully challenged. They develop confidence, independence, and intrinsic motivation through purposeful work, collaboration, and real-world learning. We focus not only on academics, but on nurturing the whole child—mind, body, and spirit.
The Ethos School is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created for intentional families seeking a values-aligned, joyful learning community. If this resonates with you, I invite you to explore whether Ethos is the right fit for your family.
