Acton Academy: non-traditional, alternative, no exams. How exciting! But this very description also spells insecurities. The question: Does it work?
Let’s start with the community’s feedback. We collect customer satisfaction rating every week. And our current rating of 4.9/ 5.0 and above. We started at 4.6 during the first year and have improved 0.1 points every single year. Every setback was an opportunity to grow. Eagles are happy and motivated in their Hero’s Journey.
Still. Performance matters. Isn’t that why you “hire” a school?
IOWA Test
Every year, we conduct the IOWA test, a standardized test based on the US grade standards. We started last year and could see the comparative progress this year. Here are some results:
Our observation, similar to most Acton Academies, has been consistent. It begins slowly in the ES, as the focus is on honing habits. Then, boom! Starting from 3rd grade, Eagles progressed on average, two grades a year. The Middle School sprint their way to three to four grades above their age. Soon, they are placed out of high school. In other words, the Eagles reach high school standards four to five years in advance, at 14 to 15 years old.
Also, Acton does not do “Science.” Not in the traditional sense. We do real-world projects. Our Middle School Eagles are 2-3 grades ahead.
Comparison to 2018
How about Eagles who took the test last year and again this year?
Last year our test were more limited. So we could only compare elements of reading, writing, and Math.
- Reading: 1.55 grades
- Writing: 2.43 grades
- Math: 1.5 grades
The real figures are closer to 2+ grades for all three areas as 30% of our Eagles move from 9-10th grade to being tested out of high school (above 12th grade), and the data above can’t capture that limit in upper bound. The progress jump is most pronounced in reading & writing.
We know why almost we, and nearly all Acton academies are getting these results. Here’s the secret: it’s because Eagles own their learning 100%.
Congratulations to all Acton Academy KL Eagles for making a mark. It’s one small way of proving your worth.