Who Am I?

I couldn’t find the kind of school my children needed—so I built it.

I grew up with very little, in a world where resilience wasn’t optional—it was required. That experience shaped me. It taught me grit, determination, and a deep belief that every child, no matter their background, deserves the chance to discover their potential and build a meaningful life.

For the past 27 years, I’ve been a mother first—raising nine incredible children and now enjoying the gift of a granddaughter. Along the way, I homeschooled for over 15 years, searching for a better way to educate my children—one that honored who they were, not just what they could memorize.

Like many families, we eventually tried traditional school systems. Some of our children thrived socially, but something was always missing.

I kept asking the same question:

What if education could be different?

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How Did I Get Here?

That question led me to the Acton Academy model—and everything changed.

After hearing Jeff Sandefer speak about what education could become, I realized something deeply unsettling:

The kind of education I wanted for my children didn’t exist in our community.

So we built it.

Starting Acton Academy Johnson City was both terrifying and exhilarating—exactly what a true Hero’s Journey should feel like. As Joseph Campbell wrote:

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.”

This school is that journey—for me, and for every learner who walks through our doors.

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What Do I Believe?

I believe:

• Children are far more capable than we give them credit for
• Struggle is not something to avoid—it is something to grow through
• Each child has a unique calling and the ability to change the world

At Acton, we are not just educating children.

We are helping them:

• take ownership of their learning
• develop courage and character
• and discover who they are becoming

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Our Family

Our family still loves music, UT football, camping, fishing, the beach, and serving together in our church community.

My husband, Kurt, has been a steady source of belief and support behind this journey from the beginning, helping make this vision possible.

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An Invitation

If you are looking for something different—something more meaningful—for your child…

We invite you to explore this journey with us.

Because the goal isn’t just to succeed in school.

It’s to find a calling and change the world.

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— Sarah

Wife, mother of 9 living children, one rainbow baby, and grandmother to 1

BA, Brigham Young University (completed from home while raising young children)