Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about The Source Academy and our learning approach.
The Source Academy is part of the network of over 300 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same exact Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that our owners helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.
You're right that it's different, and that difference is the point. At The Source, children aren't handed lectures, grades, and tests. They're trusted to take ownership of their own learning: to ask real questions, work through challenges alongside their peers, and discover how to learn rather than simply what to memorize. Our guides don't lecture from the front of the room; they ask the questions that help each Hero find their own answers.
This tends to be the right fit for families who want their children to grow in independence, curiosity, and character, and who are looking for more than academics alone. Because our greatest strength is our community, it's an especially good fit for parents who want to be part of something: to build relationships with other families and contribute to the culture we're creating together.
It may not be the right fit for families looking for a traditional, teacher-led classroom with conventional grades and a fixed curriculum. And that's okay. The best way to know is to come see it. Schedule a visit, meet our guides, and watch how the studio feels in person. Most families know within a few minutes.
The Spark Studio (ages 4-7) and The Discovery Studio (ages 8-11).
Haven Farm in Raleigh, North Carolina. 8505 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale, NC 27545
The Source Academy begins at 9:00 am each day (drop-off starting at 8:30 am) and finishes at 3:15 pm. We operate on an 11-month calendar, but our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any learning. The school calendar is based on a series of 5- to 6-week project sprints called "Quests", each with a theme – like Rockets, Robots, Medical Biology, or Detective Chemistry. Each Quest is a grand adventure, culminating in a high-stakes public Exhibition for family and friends. Seven 5- to 6-week sessions, followed by 1 to 2 weeks off to refuel and for holidays, make up the school year.
We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori's philosophy but, we are not a Montessori school. We also use the latest interactive technologies, hands on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.
We are open to Believers, Searchers and Non-Believers alike and expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and stress the historical importance of Christianity to the development of Western Civilization.
Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At The Source Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.
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 satisfying and fulfilled life. Our mission is to prepare your child for his or her special journey.
Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems—admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help — participate in discussions, and strive for mastery.
Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation.
We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.
We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with dyslexia if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.
We believe each of our students will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people's day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child's eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero's Journey; it may be becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people's lives.
We believe in liberty and justice and the ideals of the American revolution as the cornerstones of civilization. In addition to experiential learning, we will study the American documents and the true meaning behind them, as we examine other cultures and forms of government.