About Us

Building a Learner-Driven Environment

Join Dr. Ewe, our co-founder, for a short walk through ActonKL.

See how every element — from handcrafted spaces and studio rhythms to wholesome meals and thoughtful safety design — comes together to help learners take ownership of their journey.

Next step, schedule a call to arrange a visit/tour.

Our Mission

To inspire each person who enters our doors to find a calling that will change the world.

Our Beliefs

Every person has a gift

We believe each person has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.

Learning goes beyond knowledge

We believe in learning to learn, learning to do and learning to be.

Lifelong learning happens together

We believe in a closely connected family of lifelong learners.

Freedom matters

We believe in economic, political and religious freedom.

Our Promises

A learner-driven community works because everyone makes commitments, not just our learners.

At Acton We Promise You Will:

Begin a Hero’s Journey

At Acton Academy, we believe every child is a genius who deserves to find a calling that will change the world. The Hero’s Journey is about embracing challenges, learning from failure, and making courageous choices. Through real-world challenges, Socratic discussions, and personal goal-setting, learners build the courage and perseverance needed to take ownership of their journey.

Learn to be a curious, independent, lifelong learner

Instead of passively absorbing information, learners at Acton take charge of their learning by asking questions, solving problems, and following their curiosity. They set goals, track progress, and push themselves to master new skills—developing the habits of lifelong learning.

Develop a deep respect for economic, political, and religious freedoms

At Acton, learners don’t just study freedom—they experience it. They make real choices about how to spend their time, contribute to their community, and govern themselves. They step into the shoes of historical heroes, facing tough decisions where they must weigh personal liberty against the greater good. Through these experiences, they learn that freedom comes with responsibility and see firsthand how their actions impact others in a civil society.

Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world, and the mysteries of life on Earth

A deep appreciation for beauty, creativity, and the unknown enriches life. Whether through art, nature, stories, or scientific exploration, learners cultivate a sense of wonder. They engage in discussions, hands-on projects, and creative expression that inspire curiosity, deepen connection, and foster a lifelong love of learning.

Discover your most precious gifts and learn to use them to serve others

Every learner has unique gifts and interests. Acton provides opportunities for self-discovery through real-world challenges, apprenticeships, and meaningful work. Over time, learners discover who they are and how they can use their gifts to serve others in a way that brings them joy.

As a Parent at Acton, 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, 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.

As a Guide at Acton, I promise to:

Deliver on Acton Academy’s promises to parents

Guides uphold the integrity of the learner-driven model and protect the studio as a sacred space where freedom and responsibility are balanced, and challenge leads to growth. Powered by Acton Academy Network’s world-class learning design, guides offer powerful questions and meaningful challenges that help deliver on Acton’s promises to families.

Inspire, equip, and connect learners until no longer needed

Guides don’t manage or direct—they inspire, equip, and connect. They inspire by offering a compelling “why,” equip with world-class tools, and connect through vulnerable sharing, shared challenges, and celebrations. Over time, they disappear as learners become fully self-managing and self-governing.

Never answer questions

Rather than give answers, guides use Socratic questions, growth-minded encouragement, and proven frameworks to equip learners to think independently. They treat questions as opportunities for deeper thinking, helping learners build the confidence and creativity needed to navigate a complex world.

Offer growth mindset praise

Guides celebrate effort, courage, and progress—not just outcomes. In doing so, they instill confidence and resilience on each learner’s Hero’s Journey.

Uphold broad studio guardrails to protect the tribe

Guides maintain emotional and physical safety by upholding the studio’s broad but firm boundaries. When those guardrails are crossed, they act swiftly and consistently. They listen with empathy, encourage honesty, and create space for reflection—ensuring failure becomes a powerful tool for growth.

Our Educational Philosophy

We believe:

clear thinking leads to good decisions,

good decisions lead to the right habits,

the right habits forge character,

and character determines destiny.

Our Economic Model

We believe self-directed, peer-to-peer learner-driven communities built by our young Learners will deliver transformational learning at a cost all parents can afford.

Our Story

“Can students teach each other, instead of having teachers?”
Acton Academy Kuala Lumpur had its roots in late 2014, when two friends tried to answer the above question through experiments. They learnt that children are far more capable than they imagined. An entire classroom with no teachers was possible, and every child was engaged. Could we scale this further?
It turns out that there was already a group of revolutionaries doing just that — Acton Academy. We applied in 2016 and became the first Acton Academy in Asia. Our goal: to create the ideal environment for our own children. An environment that prepares them to be self-driven, independent learners who will pursue a life of meaning in a future beyond our imagination.
Nigerian proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” resonates with us. In just a few years, we grew to serve a broader community of families. We invite you to join us in this grand adventure of creating that village. That ideal village where each of us is on a Hero’s Journey to find a calling to change the world.

Our Team

Wei Wen
Co-founder / Discovery & Spark Studio Guide

Jia Hong
Co-founder / Adventure Launchpad Studio Guide

Dr. Ewe
Co-Founder / Guide / Admin

Daniel
Guide / Food & Facilities

Aaron
Discovery Studio Guide

Seline
Spark Studio Guide

Jeff Sandefer
Advisor / Co-founder of Acton Academy, TX

Laura Sandefer
Advisor / Co-founder of Acton Academy, TX

Join Our Team

Every adult here serves as a Guide — NOT a teacher, but a fellow learner and challenger.

We are a mission-driven team, and those who join us are deeply aligned with this mission and committed to growing themselves.

We invite you to first explore our website and materials to understand this difference.
If it resonates, write to info@actonkl.org with a thoughtful introduction of your journey.

We read every application carefully and prioritise those that show genuine understanding and alignment.
As a hint: applications framed around “teaching” or being a “teacher” are unlikely to be a fit, and we do not respond to generic applications.

Begin your Family’s Journey

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