Blackstone School
An Acton Academy
Where academic excellence, character, mastery, and next-generation skills unite in a learner-driven experience.
Ann Arbor’s Education Revolution
Classes begin Fall 2025
Wait Pool Sign up in process
Our Promise to you
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A Bold Vision for the 21st Century
Empowering Future Leaders: We believe each student is a world-changer in the making. Our learner-driven approach positions them to lead in any environment—from college classrooms to corporate boardrooms.
Fearless Innovation: Inspired by entrepreneurial thinking and Socratic dialogue, we cultivate a mindset that dares to disrupt the status quo and achieve the extraordinary.
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Unbeatable Academic Rigor
Personalized Mastery: Each learner progresses at their own pace in math, reading, writing, and foreign language—ensuring deep comprehension and unstoppable momentum.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Our interdisciplinary projects and cutting-edge tools keep your child ahead of the curve, ready to excel in top universities.
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Character & Confidence
Values in Action: Integrity, responsibility, and courage are not just words on a wall; they guide daily decision-making, molding your child into a principled leader.
Thriving Community: Our close-knit studios foster genuine relationships, building empathy, collaboration, and resilience.
Welcome to Blackstone School
An Acton Academy
Imagine a school where every child’s brilliance is unleashed, where challenge meets curiosity, and where real-world success is not a dream but an everyday reality. Welcome to Blackstone School: An Acton Academy, the pioneering private school in Ann Arbor that’s redefining how your child learns, grows, and leads.
Academic Excellence: Mastering the Core
We don’t believe in rushing students through a prescribed curriculum; we believe in deep, durable learning. Here’s how we do it:
Adaptive Learning Tools: Each student uses specialized software and resources that adjust to their current skill level—whether it’s math, reading, writing, or foreign language. If your child needs more practice on fractions, they get it. If they’re ready for advanced algebra, we give them the tools to push ahead.
One-on-One Check-Ins: Our Guides (Acton’s term for teachers) hold regular, personal conversations with each learner, monitoring progress and offering targeted feedback. This ensures no one slips through the cracks, and everyone advances at the pace that’s right for them.
Mastery Benchmarks: Learners don’t move on until they’ve truly mastered a concept. As a result, test scores naturally rise—our students typically outperform many traditional school peers on standardized assessments. While we don’t measure success solely by these tests, it’s reassuring for parents to see the tangible proof of our mastery-based approach.
Results That Speak for Themselves
Acton Academy learners worldwide consistently surpass standardized test averages.
Alumni have thrived at top universities, launched successful companies, and become recognized change-makers.
Laura Sandefer, Founder of Acton Academy:
“We must involve the children in decision making about their learning experiences. They can be trusted to be creative and direct. Their participation inspires a feeling of ownership and pride.”
Why is Acton Model the most appropriate form of education for every child?
Why It Works
No Homework: Quality Over Quantity: We prioritize immersive learning during the day so your child can recharge, pursue hobbies, and spend time with family after school.
Learner-Driven Approach:
Instead of being passive recipients, students take charge of their education. This means they develop independence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for the real world.Real-World, Project-Based Learning:
Through hands-on projects and “Quests,” students apply academic concepts to practical challenges. This approach builds creative thinking and equips them with skills that matter outside of the classroom.Collaborative, Mixed-Age Studios:
Multi-age studios mirror real life, fostering natural mentorship and authentic collaboration where every child grows at their own pace.
Traditional classrooms create artificial divisions, limiting the organic interactions that truly prepare learners for the real world.
Societies & Clubs That Empower Tomorrow’s Leaders.
“Elevate your voice, sharpen your mind—one argument can reshape the world.”
“Turn bold ideas into reality.”
“Think globally, lead boldly—together we design tomorrow’s peace.”
“In every note, a story unfolds—let harmony be your most powerful expression.”
Measuring Mastery
Young heroes celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges and taking part in public exhibitions.
Learners use badges to track academic progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math and spelling and character development in Servant Leader Badges.
Young heroes deliver public exhibitions of their work at the end of each four to six week sprint.
Self-management and self-governance skills are measured by peer reviews at the end of each session.
Each day is broken up into work sprints with a shared purpose or goal.
8:00
Drop-off / Free Time
8:30
Daily Launch (Socratic Discussion)
8:45
Core Skills
Goal setting, math, Writers' Workshop, reading, civilization discussion, "Brain Breaks" throughout
11:30
Lunch / Free Time
12:30
Quest Launch (Socratic Discussion)
12:45
Quest
Hands-on work, team-based challenges, sciences, coding, entrepreneurship, art & music, history, report on goals.
2:45
Studio Maintenance
3:00
Closing Group (Socratic Discussion)
03:15
Pick-up
The schedule is flexible to accommodate different learning needs. Students can rearrange work blocks and choose from a variety of work options based on personal goals, passions, and commitments.
Ann Arbor, Get Ready for a New Era in Education: Blackstone School (Acton Academy) Arrives Fall 2025!
Limited Spaces, Unlimited Potential
Our revolutionary approach means we offer limited seats to ensure each learner receives the personalized attention they deserve. We’re creating an exclusive wait pool and will carefully select families who are ready to join us on this transformative journey.
Join Our Wait Pool Today
Express your interest now to be a part of the future of education—where your child is empowered to lead, innovate, and create a legacy of lifelong success. Let’s shape a brighter tomorrow, one extraordinary learner at a time.