OUR STUDIOS
Spark Studio
(ages 4-8)
Spark Studio is a Montessori inspired environment where learners engage in exploratory learning at their own pace using hands-on materials. Guides support early reading, writing, and math. There is no technology in this studio, as we believe younger learners need to engage with real-world, tactile materials and experiences as a foundation before incorporating technology too soon. Spark Studio is heavily influenced by play, game based learning, and lots of social engagement.
Spark learners spend quality time outdoors including weekly half-day nature adventures on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Discovery Studio
(ages 7-12)
Our Discovery studio is a place where learners thrive in a fun and interactive environment while exploring their unique interests, skills, and talents. They gain confidence in their academics through hands-on projects, adaptive technologies, and experiential learning.
Building friendships and social connections is a big part of Discovery Studio, and learners are supported in creating a positive social environment through studio agreements and contracts created and upheld by the Heroes themselves.
Journey Studio
(ages 11-18)
Our Journey Studio is where learners rapidly start owning their education. It is the perfect time to develop intellect and character, while gaining a deeper sense of self and the real world. Learners have a wide range of topics to study and combine in-depth academic exploration with real-world applications through projects, apprenticeships, and connecting with experts. This is a time where the understanding of self and community merge, and young people begin to see where their unique gifts and talents can shine in their community.
Launchpad Program
(ages 14-18)
The Launchpad Program is a level within the Journey Studio where Heroes explore and discover their calling, delve deeply into areas of personal interest, collaborate with peers on important projects and topics, and give back to the community at large. They continue to work on personalized goals through adaptive technologies, hands-on projects, and even college classes if they choose, but apprenticeships and application of skill become more pronounced and focused. Launchpad Heroes work together on large, long-term world changing adventures, prepare for their Next Great Adventure in life, and complete all other requirements necessary for their high school diploma, entrance to college or their path to a career.
​
Program Options
Acton Academy Santa Cruz offers multiple program options
to meet the varying needs of families.
-Spark Options-
2, 3, 4, 5 Day Programs
All program options include core subjects, imaginative and sensory play, nature days, and lots of outdoor fun!
Mon-Fri, Mon-Thu,
Mon-Wed, Mon-Tue, or Thu-Fri
(Spark also has 1/2 day options)
​
-Discovery Options-
5 Day Program
Core + Quests + Civilization + Writer's Workshop
Learning Lab +
ArtTerra Enrichment
Mon-Fri
​
4 Day Program
Core + Quests + Civilization + Writer's Workshop
Learning Lab +
ArtTerra Enrichment
Mon-Thu
​
3 Day Program
Core + Quests + Writer's Workshop
Mon-Wed ​
​​
​
-Journey Options-
4 or 5 Day Program
Mon-Thu, Mon-Fri
Core + Quests + Civilization + Writer's Workshop
Learning Lab + Enrichment + Apprenticeships
​​
​
All Program Times are 8:30-3:15
Core Skills is a block of time focused on math and language arts (reading, writing, spelling, grammar, typing) where learners use cutting-edge adaptive software and hands-on manipulatives to learn in exactly the right style and at the right pace for each Hero. For high school students this time could include online dual-enrollment college classes taken alone or in groups.
​
Core for Spark Studio is Montessori based and there is no tech used by the Heroes in this studio.
Quests are a three to six week series of hands-on challenges and projects in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, social sciences, entrepreneurship, and more. Quests incorporate all of the subjects, and bring them together to create engaging and rewarding learning experiences for the real-world. Quests are a main feature of the Acton Academy learning model.
Civilization is our version of social studies where learners do individual research and gather into Socratic debates, diving into historical, geographical, political, economic, and religious dilemmas, enigmas, and puzzles. Our primary goal with Civilization is to prepare future leaders to make important decisions, with deep context and perspective, rather than memorize easily Googled facts.
​
Learning Lab is a time where the Heroes can do research, and work on projects based on their unique interests and passions. This time allows them to hone their unique talents and skills, learn about something new, or try something they have never done before.
​
Enrichment is time set aside for art, theater, dance, music, movie making, PE, outdoor nature education, maker's lab, field trips, and more.
Multiple Socratic discussions take place each day. Guides use Socratic discussions and the Socratic method, instead of lectures, to present topics and help guide students in their learning.
​
*Acton Academy Santa Cruz is a private home school program open to members only. All learners must be registered as home school students through either a Private School Affidavit, Private School Satellite Program, or be enrolled in a charter or public school independent studies program. For more information about these options please contact us!
​
​
Sample Weekly Schedule
MEET THE GUIDES
Acton Academy Socratic Guides don't answer questions (they ask more questions!), and they don't use fixed-mindset language, or lecture or teach in a traditional manner. Their role is to challenge, equip, and connect our Heroes. They are cheerleaders, game-makers, listeners, equippers, and Growth Mindset praisers
who live their own Hero's Journey.
Spark Studio Guide
Joey Edeli
Hailing from a family of San Francisco educators, Joey has over 25 years of experience working with children of all ages. Prior to joining Acton Academy Santa Cruz he was the director and head teacher of Little Acorns Montessori, the Head Teacher and Director of Professional Learning at Playgoup in San Francisco, and the Head Teacher of a bilingual international school in Nosara, Costa Rica. He has a BA degree in Economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an AMI Montessori certification from the Montessori Teacher Training Center of Northern California.
In his free time, Joey enjoys surfing, gardening, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and being in nature with his wife and dog.
He is excited to be sharing his passion for Montessori and child-directed learning with the Acton Academy community!
Discovery Studio Guide
Carol Bowles
Aside from being one of the founders of Acton Academy Santa Cruz, Carol is thrilled to also be the Discovery Studio Guide. Carol holds a Master's Degree in Education from the University of California, Santa Cruz and has been teaching in public and private schools since 2001, including teaching children and teenagers with special needs, teaching reading intervention, teaching art to grades K-12, and being a consultant at a public school homeschool program. She is also the founder and Director of Seacliff Academy, a private school satellite program for home schoolers.
Carol has three children of her own, all of whom she home schooled. When she is not working, Carol enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, being outside with her dog, and going to see live music.
She loves learning right alongside the Discovery Heroes and is currently learning how to play the banjo!
Journey Studio & Launchpad Program Guide
Emily Carrillo
As a homeschool parent with over ten years of experience teaching her own five children, Emily was searching for a program that offered the best of both worlds: the agency, freedom, and choice of homeschooling combined with the community, accountability, and inspiration of a formal program. When she discovered Acton Academy Santa Cruz, she was so inspired that she not only wanted her children to join—she wanted to be part of the team as well.
We have been incredibly fortunate to have Emily as an Acton Guide for the past four years. She brings a rich background in homeschool education, special education, theater, arts and crafts, homesteading, and mentorship. Passionate about the Hero’s Journey, Emily supports our middle and high school Heroes as they learn to lead with passion, compassion, excitement, and purpose.
When she’s not at Acton, or driving to and from Acton, Emily enjoys leading the hair and makeup team at CYT, taking care of the menagerie of animals on her farm, floating down rivers, spending time with family and friends, creating, and embracing the beauty of a full, adventurous life.
Spark Studio Assistant Guide
Sophie Carrillo
Sophie Carrillo holds a special place in the story of Acton Academy Santa Cruz—she was our very first graduate! Now, in her second year as our Assistant Spark Studio Guide, Sophie has come full circle and is helping create the kind of learning environment that shaped her own journey. She loves theater, working with children, dreaming up and planning awesome Quests, and learning and growing right alongside the Heroes. Sophie brings a fun, upbeat energy to everything she does and is always ready to take on a new challenge. Aside from her roll as an Assistant Guide in the Spark Studio, Sophie attends Cabrillo College and participates in community theater whenever she can.
We feel incredibly lucky to have one of our own graduates return to our community and share her creativity, enthusiasm, and love of learning with the next generation of Heroes.
Important Dates
2026-2027
​
Beginning of the Year Celebration
Sunday, August 30th, 2:00-4:00
Session #1
Aug 31- Oct 9 (6 weeks)
* off Monday, September 7th Labor Day
* off Friday, September 18th Family Camping Trip
Fall Break: Oct 12-16
Session #2
Oct 19 - Nov 20 (5 weeks)
*off Wednesday, Nov 11th Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Break: Nov 23-27
Session #3
Nov 30 - Dec 16 (3 weeks)
3 week Holiday Break: Dec 17-Jan 08
Session #4
Jan 11 - Feb 19 (6 weeks)
*off Monday, Jan 18th MLK day
*off Monday, Feb 15 President’s Day
Winter Break: Feb 22 -26
Session #5
March 1- April 9 (6 weeks)
Spring Break : Apr 12-23 TWO WEEKS!
Session #6
Apr 26 - June 09 (7 weeks)
Exhibition in week 6
*off May 28-31 Memorial Day 4 day weekend
​
No program on the following holidays:
Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
Wednesday November 11 (Veteran’s Day)
Monday, Jan 18 (Martin Luther King Jr.)
Monday, Feb 15 (President’s Day)
Friday, May 28 (Memorial Day add-on)
Monday, May 31 (Memorial Day)