About Blackstone School – An Acton Academy
A School Founded by Educators, Parents, and Visionaries
Blackstone School – An Acton Academy was born out of a personal journey — a search for an education that truly honors the brilliance, creativity, and potential of every child. When Ujala Akram and Irfan Mahmood, both educators, began looking for the right school for their son, they were determined to find an environment that nurtured both academic mastery and character development. Their son started in the Spark Studio and is now completing Middle School as a thriving Acton Eagle. What they found in Acton Academy wasn’t just a school — it was a revolution in learning.
From Searching for the Right School to Creating One
Blackstone School – An Acton Academy is proud to be part of a global revolution in education. Acton Academy is a groundbreaking, learner-driven model that empowers students to own their education through personalized projects, Socratic dialogue, and real-world quests. Founded in Austin, Texas by Laura and Jeff Sandefer, this innovative approach has sparked a worldwide movement with over 400 schools across the globe.
At Blackstone School (Acton Academy), we live the Acton vision every day—transforming traditional learning into an adventure that unleashes creativity, builds character, and prepares future leaders. Welcome to the revolution in education. Welcome to Blackstone School.
Ujala Akram
Founder, Blackstone School - An Acton Academy
Education:
PhD Law (Cont.) in International Human Rights, Leeds Beckett University (UK)
LL.M. in International & Comparative Law, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
LL.B., University of London
Courses: International Protection of Human Rights (LLB), Contract Law (LLB)
Bio:
Ujala Akram brings in extensive experience in heading academic and administrative units in several education settings in the USA and in Pakistan. She is the founder of Blackstone School of Law & Business and has been providing strategic leadership to the organization since 2016 and part of the Founding team of Acton Academy -Lahore. She has previously held the role of Assistant Dean at Santa Clara University School of Education & Counseling Psychology in the heart of the diverse and innovative Silicon Valley in California. Previously, she has served as a Director at the same, taught at and headed an academic department with the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and served as a Senior Advisor to the Graduate Law Programs at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law—Indianapolis (IU McKinney School of Law). During her years with IU McKinney School of Law, she also worked on a USAID grant-funded project through which the law school’s LL.M. Program was offered at Cairo University and Alexandria University in Egypt. She also worked at a prestigious law firm in Indianapolis, Faegre Baker Daniels LL.P., on an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) project.
Ms. Akram’s specialized research and writings in the field of law and education focus on women's issues, minority rights, social justice, international protection of human rights, effective teaching methodologies; student learning styles. She's a teacher at heart and teaches Human Rights Law.
Contact Ujala at uakram@bsolpk.org
Irfan Mahmood
Founder, Blackstone School - An Acton Academy
Irfan Mahmood has a diverse work experience spanning over various industries and roles. Irfan co-founded the Blackstone School of Law, where they worked closely with academic heads and law clinic directors to identify business needs and opportunities. Irfan also served as the Managing Partner at Blackstone Law & Associates LLP, where they specialized in commercial contracts and had expertise in corporate law.
In addition, Irfan worked as a Senior Business Analyst at the University of California, San Francisco, where they conducted assessments of business processes in educational practices. Irfan also worked as a Business Analyst at Santa Clara University, collecting user requirements for integrating cross-functional functionality into the user interface.
Irfan has a background in technology as well, having served as a Technology Specialist at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Irfan championed the use of technology to design a content delivery system for the institute, improving curricula and student-centered learning.
Prior to that, Irfan worked as a Business Analyst at Sprint, where they identified information needs and facilitated seamless access to information for retail stores and sales teams. Irfan also worked as a Business Development Manager at Bank Alfalah Limited, where they played a key role in revamping the sales cycle and increasing the customer base. At the beginning of their career, Irfan worked as a Software Developer at HigherSummit Pvt Ltd., where they conducted on-the-job training and built websites for an informational portal in the Islamic banking sector.
Overall, Irfan Mahmood's work experience showcases their expertise in business analysis, law, technology, and client management.
Irfan Mahmood holds an MSc in Marketing from the University of London, which they earned from 2020 to 2023. Irfan also obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in Law from the University of London, completing it from 2012 to 2018. Irfan has a B.S. (HONS) degree in Computer Science from Allama Iqbal Open University, obtained from 2000 to 2004. In addition, they completed an iOS Developer Nanodegree from Udacity in 2015-2016. Irfan Mahmood has also obtained various certifications, including "Building Trust," "Leading Change," "Leading with Stories," "Powerless to Powerful: Taking Control" from LinkedIn, and the "Salesforce Platform Basics Badge" from Salesforce Trailhead.
Contact Irfan at imahmood@bsolpk.org
Laura Sandefer
Founder, Acton Academy
Laura Sandefer is a pioneering educator and co-founder of Acton Academy, a globally recognized network of learner-driven schools that challenge traditional education by empowering students to take ownership of their learning. Guided by the belief that every child is capable of extraordinary growth, she has helped shape an educational model that fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and personal responsibility.
With a Master’s in Education from Vanderbilt University, Laura blends academic excellence with real-world innovation. Her acclaimed book, Courage to Grow: How Acton Academy Turns Learning Upside Down, shares the inspiring story behind Acton’s success and serves as a call to action for reimagining education. Under her leadership, Acton Academy has grown into a worldwide movement, proving that when young learners are given the freedom to explore and lead, they can transform their futures—and the world.
Jeff Sandefer
Founder, Acton Academy
Jeff Sandefer is an innovative educator and co-founder of Acton Academy, a revolutionary network of learner-driven schools designed to empower students through self-directed learning and real-world challenges. With a deep belief in the power of experiential education, Jeff has helped shape a model that emphasizes personal responsibility, Socratic discussions, and hands-on apprenticeships to prepare students for meaningful lives and careers.
A lifelong entrepreneur and passionate advocate for learner-driven education, Jeff also founded the Acton School of Business, an award-winning MBA program known for its rigorous, experience-based approach to entrepreneurship. His work has inspired thousands of educators and parents to rethink traditional education and embrace a model that fosters independence, creativity, and lifelong learning. Through Acton Academy, Jeff continues to challenge conventional schooling paradigms, proving that young learners can achieve extraordinary success when given the freedom to take control of their education.
Praise for Acton Academy from Top CEOs, Educators, and Media
Sal Khan – Founder of Khan Academy
“Acton Academy is on the leading edge of what it means to give students agency of their own learning.”
Source: Quoted on Acton Academy Columbus press page
Gary Vaynerchuk – Entrepreneur & CEO of VaynerMedia
“This is the kind of school I wish I had as a kid, to grow up super entrepreneurial.”
Source: Video message for Acton Academy Placer (via Acton Academy Fort Lauderdale site)
Seth Godin – Author of Stop Stealing Dreams
“Acton Academy is on the vanguard of change in education in our country. After reading [Courage to Grow], your first two questions will probably be, ‘Why couldn’t my school be like this?’ and ‘How can I send my kids to Acton?’ This is an important story about learning what matters.”
Source: Endorsement blurb for Courage to Grow (Acton Academy Columbus press page)
Tom Vander Ark – CEO of Getting Smart; former Education Director, Gates Foundation
“Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world. The story behind the ideas, the school, and the movement is a must read for any parent.”
Source: Getting Smart podcast interview with Acton co-founder (quoted on Acton Academy site)
Heather Staker – Co-author of Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools
“I was so impressed with [Acton Academy] that I persuaded my husband to move from Honolulu, Hawaii, to the heart of Central Texas so our five young children could enroll.”
Source: Personal testimony (featured on Acton Academy Columbus press page)
Dr. Bernard Bull – Education Professor and Author (Etale)
“I’ve visited and studied hundreds of innovative models of schooling over the past decade, and Acton continues to be one of the most promising models… Acton is a truly inspiring and exceptional school.”
Source: Commentary as an education researcher (quoted on Acton Academy Columbus press page)
Newspaper and Magazine Mentions of Acton Academy
Acton Academy’s learner-driven, innovative approach to schooling has garnered positive coverage in a variety of reputable outlets. Below is a selection of praise and recognition from mainstream newspapers, business magazines, and education-focused media, each with a highlighted quote and a link to the full article:
Mainstream Media Coverage
The Washington Post – “It was exactly the kind of lesson that [Acton] organizers… said they had hoped the 125 pint-sized peddlers would learn from starting their own businesses.”
actondc.org
(May 12, 2018, KidsPost/Local) – Full ArticleWIRED – “At Acton Academy, a private elementary school in Texas, students work with their teachers to plot a personal ‘journey’ based on their needs. Students choose the types of technology they use… and are encouraged to cast a wide net to learn what they need to.”
wired.com
(Feb 24, 2015, WIRED Opinion) – Full Article
Business and Entrepreneurship Media
Forbes – “Acton Academy affiliates are benefiting from the surge in interest in microschools... They are also tapping in to growing demand by parents for private schooling options.”
conservativedailynews.com
(Dec 4, 2021) – Full ArticleInc. Magazine – “Inside the growing education movement that’s training kids to be entrepreneurs.”
magzter.com
(March 2017 issue) – Full Article
Education-Focused Coverage
Education Week – “After one phone call with Acton co-founder Jeff Sandefer… Staker was sold on the idea. ‘I hung up the phone and said, “If I don’t move to Austin, Texas… for our own children to attend that school, I’m going to start one myself.”’”
edweek.org
(Jan. 27, 2016) – Full ArticleEdSurge – “This radical model where edtech meets Montessori has proven an effective formula for success. Students gain an average of three grade levels each year in math, reading and language arts.”
edsurge.com
(Nov 20, 2013) – Full ArticleReason Magazine – “Think of micro-schools as ‘Montessori meets Silicon Valley.’”
reason.com
(Jan 26, 2018) – Full Article
