A Farm-Based Approach to Education

At Acton Academy Alva, our working farm is an extension of the classroom. Agricultural education is integrated into our daily curriculum, allowing learners to connect traditional academics with meaningful, hands-on experiences. Through animal husbandry, agricultural science, environmental exploration, and real-world problem-solving, learners gain practical knowledge while developing responsibility, independence, and critical thinking skills.

Our farm-based educational model combines the principles of learner-driven education with experiential agricultural learning. Rather than separating academic subjects from practical experiences, we use the farm as a living learning environment where science, mathematics, reading, writing, entrepreneurship, and character development can be explored through authentic activities and meaningful responsibilities.

21st Century Learning

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The latest in educational technology for self paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.
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Hands-on, project-based quests and daily farm-based agricultural education help learners develop practical skills, explore scientific concepts, solve real-world problems, and apply academic knowledge through meaningful experiences on our working farm.
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Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self-governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.
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Professional tools for art, engineering, tech and storytelling in place of worksheets and busy work.
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Written promises and covenants that form a tightly bound community of individuals learning to form authentic friendships and honestly resolve interpersonal problems.

Learn to Learn

Socratic Discussions and self paced challenges equip young heroes to be independent lifelong learners.

Learn to Do

Hands-on Quests for Science, Entrepreneurship, and the Arts prepare children for Apprenticeships and real-world challenges.

Learning to do extends beyond the studio and into our working farm. Through age-appropriate agricultural activities, learners have opportunities to explore animal care, livestock management, agricultural science, environmental stewardship, and practical problem-solving. These experiences reinforce academic concepts while developing confidence, work ethic, accountability, and an understanding of the responsibilities involved in caring for animals and the land.

Acton Academy Alva collaborative learning icon

Learn to Be

The Hero’s Journey, relational covenants and real world consequences transform difficult decisions into virtuous habits.

Measuring Mastery

At Acton Academy Alva, mastery is demonstrated not only through academic progress but also through the application of knowledge in real-world settings. Our integrated agricultural curriculum provides opportunities for learners to apply mathematical reasoning, scientific observation, communication, and critical thinking to hands-on farm-based projects, connecting what they learn in the studio with practical experiences.

Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges and taking part in public exhibitions.

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Learners use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in Servant Leader Badges.
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Young heroes deliver public exhibitions of their work at the end of each four to six week sprint.
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Self-management and self-governance skills are measured by peer reviews at the end of each session.

Learning at Acton Academy Alva

We believe that learning to be, learning to learn, and learning to do are more important than learning to know.