See Our Latest Blogs

Losing Our Marbles

Heroes explored physics by building creative marble runs, learning about chain reactions, and earning rewards through a new memory game. ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

April 04, 20261 min read

Losing Our Marbles

The Notebook

This week, students explored Leonardo da Vinci’s inventive ideas by building bridges and towers, learning the value of adaptation and resilience. Through hands-on challenges and thoughtful discussions... ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

March 25, 20261 min read

The Notebook

Gravity!

Upper Elementary Heroes explored gravity through hands-on design challenges and creative experimentation in Quest this week. They also traveled to the McKinney Center to experience Tennessee history o... ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

March 08, 20261 min read

Gravity!

Toys!

Session 6 launched with energy and focus as Heroes embraced a new coin game designed to encourage responsibility and "freedom within guardrails." We also kicked off our physics Quest by exploring Newt... ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

February 26, 20261 min read

Toys!

Passion

We wrapped up the session with a joyful Exhibition on Friday, where Heroes hosted a mock Lemon Bazaar Business Fair for parents. From confident pitches to creative products, they showcased their growt... ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

February 26, 20261 min read

Passion

Startup Mode & The Spark of Ownership

After losing four days of Quest to snow, the studio jumped back in with startup-level energy as they prepare to Exhibition. Imspired by the Ferris Wheel at the World's Columbian Exposition, Me & the B... ...more

Sparks Blog

February 15, 20262 min read

Startup Mode & The Spark of Ownership

Adaption And Flexibility

This week the Upper Elementary Studio focused on adapting to change. Despite a snow day, the Heroes stayed flexible, continued learning, and made progress toward the Grand Lemon Bazaar and Exhibition ... ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

February 05, 20261 min read

Adaption And Flexibility

Pivots and Perseverance

A week of pivots, perseverance, and cookies! Heroes adapted, stayed diligent, and learned why details matter--proving progress happens anywhere. ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

January 26, 20261 min read

Pivots and Perseverance

The Grand Lemon Bazaar 🍋

The Grand Lemon Bazaar is underway! Heroes settled into a new space, built connections, and began turning creative ideas into action. ...more

Discovery (Lower ES Studio)

January 11, 20261 min read

The Grand Lemon Bazaar 🍋

The Start of a New Session: The Importance of Civility

With a new beginning comes growth--heroes are embracing civility, responsibility, and empathy, creating a more peaceful and productive studio. ...more

Discovery (Upper ES Studio)

January 11, 20261 min read

The Start of a New Session: The Importance of Civility

A New Space For Our School

Through change and fresh beginnings, the heroes showed grace joy, and community--reminding us that growth happens together. ...more

Sparks Blog

January 11, 20263 min read

A New Space For Our School

A Learner Driven School

Students create and sign a Contract of Promises describing how each individual will act and the consequences for violating community norms.

Mentor teams encourage younger and older students to listen, affirm, set goals and hold each other accountable.

21st Century Learning

The latest in educational tools and technology for self paced mastery of reading, writing and math skills.

Deep Socratic discussions about heroes, history and self governance to hone critical thinking skills and the ability to powerfully think, write and speak.

Still Exploring? Start With Clarity.

Download the Parent Guide: A Framework for Rethinking School

It’s not a brochure. It’s a perspective-shifting tool that helps you ask better questions about your child, your values, and what kind of education truly prepares them for the future.

You'll also get helpful insights via email to support your journey, no pressure, just clarity.

How is Acton Academy Johnson City affiliated with Acton Academy?

Acton Academy Johnson City 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.

What grades do you offer?

We currently offer:

  • Spark OR Homeschool Enrichment Studio 4-5 year old Part-time Homeschool Enrichment Studio, OR 5 - 7 Year Old Full-time Spark Studio

  • Discovery 7 - 11 Year Old Learners

  • Adventure 11 - 14 Year Old Learners

  • Launchpad Launching 2027

Do you accept 4-year-olds?

Yes. We are fully accredited from preschool through 8th grade by Middle States Association.

Do you offer a childcare program?

No. AAJC does not operate a childcare program. We have a Preschool program accredited by Middle States Association starting at age 4.

Do you offer a full or part-time Homeschool program?

Please contact Acton Academy Johnson City directly for information about part-time or co-op type homeschool programs.

Where is your school located?

Our Campus is located at 1201 E. Unaka Ave Johnson City TN, 37601.

What is your tuition?

Tuition for full-time enrollment is $850/mo for an 11-month year ($9350 /yr) starting in Fall 2025/26.

Part-time enrollment is $475/month for Fall 2025/26

We offer sibling/family discounts and need-based scholarships on a case-by-case basis.

For Fall 2026, we will be able to accept vouchers from the State of Tennessee, which should cover 86% of tuition. Need-based scholarships will still be available in addition. 

If you believe you are a good fit for Acton, please apply as soon as possible so we can help you navigate the voucher process in January.  Spaces will fill up quickly. 

Can my child use the Education Scholarship Funds from the State of Tennessee at Acton Academy Johnson City?

Yes. We are accredited through the Middle States Association. This makes us a Category 3 school in Tennessee, qualifying for EFS funds. Please apply directly to the State of Tennessee: Department of Education, to receive those scholarships for your family.

For the academic year 2026-2027, the application date for "renewals" is Dec. 9th, 2025. The "new application" date is Jan. 13, 2026. The deadline is Jan. 30th, but the scholarships are first-come, first-served, so be ready at the first moment they open. Check our Facebook page for our ESF Parent Workshop to help you get ready.

These scholarships are for children entering Kindergarten through 12th grade in the fall of 2026.

What standardized testing to you do? Is it true you don't do TCAPS?

Yes, it is true. We are not required to do TCAP testing. We use the Iowa standardized test, but not for a grade. We simply use it to compare a learner to themselves. We report the results to parents.

May I visit campus or get a tour?

In order to protect the learning environment of our current learners, we do not offer tours during school hours, but we do schedule Parent Info Sessions and campus tours as part of an audition process. Please click apply now in the top menu bar to start the audition process.

Is Acton Academy a Montessori School?

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.

How long is Acton Academy in session each year?

We operate on an eleven month calendar, but our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any learning.

Is Acton Academy Johnson City a religious school?

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.  Children are welcome to practice their religious beliefs at school (prayer, bible study, etc).  When questions arise around religion, spirituality, or beliefs, guides direct heroes to their parents.  We believe parents hold the responsibility to teach their beliefs to their children.  And guides don't answer questions!  They ask questions, and direct religious questions to the child's parents, ie, "I bet your Mom or Dad would love to have you ask them that question."

Who was Lord Acton?

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 Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom.

What do you mean by Hero's Journey?

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.

What is an "independent learner"?

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.

What do you mean by a "running partner"?

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.

Will children be grouped into grades?

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.

Does Acton Academy Johnson City serve special needs children?

We are not trained to serve children with serious to severe learning disabilities, but have been able to serve young heroes with mild autism, adhd, and dyslexia.  If they require special services, parents are responsible for providing those. 

We have seen that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed and are overcome here at Acton.  We do not treat or diagnose, but those learners can fit the model if they believe they are capable of learning and are willing to try.  

What do you mean by "every child can change the world"?

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.

Why do you focus on teaching the "American experiment"?

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.

What is your policy on public displays of affection (PDA) and romantic relationships?

We discourage "boyfriends" and "girlfriends" of any gender at Acton Academy Johnson City and do not allow for public displays of affection - kissing and hand-holding, etc, or teasing about liking each other, etc. Brief hugs are acceptable if they have permission from the other person.  Our "no touching" policy means we don't touch others without permission, or it is an agreed-upon appropriate game, like basketball, tag, or flag football. 

Guiding Beliefs

We believe that when individuals are not old enough to be married, it is not healthy to enter into exclusive romantic relationships. Many studies support this as well. Early pairing off discourages the healthy relationships with all boys and girls that they should be learning to maintain.  It also causes premature emotional trauma when relationships cannot be sustained and breakups occur.  Trauma is not healthy at any time in life, but it is especially damaging in childhood. The time for exclusive pairing is when they are old enough to support an independent relationship.  This will vary for all children, but regardless, Acton Academy will expect all romantic relationships to happen away from school at every age, lol! (I hope you can appreciate the humor here!)

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