Is Ascent the right fit for my child?
Let us first help you reframe; Is Ascent the right fit for me and my family?
Ask: Am I running towards a model that fiercely empowers young people and parents to own their story and build deep resilience or am I running away from something that doesn’t feel good?
At Ascent, we are looking for parents and families who are ready to take on this adventure as the true answer to the challenges created by following an antiquated status quo model that coddles children instead of seeing their deepest potential and constantly challenging them to find the motivation to rise to it. It is a model that looks for parents who firmly know that the model for education that will build the fulfilled leaders for the changing world is beyond current schooling models.
Parents who are a good fit with our model don’t outsource character development—they lead it. You model resilience, agency, and integrity at home, and want a school that reinforces those values.
We serve parents want more than worksheets and behavior charts. You want their children to be known, challenged, and trusted.
You’re self-aware, entrepreneurially minded, and take ownership of your choices. You’ve taken meaningful risks in life and want your child to do the same—with support, not shortcuts.
You believe school should challenge your child intellectually and emotionally, trust them with real responsibility, and offer freedom with accountability.
In your child’s school, you’re not looking for a crutch—you’re looking for a partner. We’re here.
What grades do you serve and Why do you have mixed-age classrooms instead of grouping by grades?
At Ascent, we believe the future belongs to those who can lead themselves—and we start cultivating that at age four.
We are not limited by grades, allowing for learners to move at their pace. Our studios roughly serve the following ages/grades:
- Spark (Primary Environment) for ages 4-7
- Discovery (Upper Elementary) for ages 7-9 (Grades 1st-3rd)
- Explore (Upper Elementary) for ages 9-12 (Grades 4th-6th)
- Peak (Middle School) for ages 12-15 (Grades 7th-9th)- Coming Fall of 2026
- Adventure (High School) for ages 15-18 (Approximate Grades 10th-12th)- Coming Fall of 2029
Children learn best when working with those younger and older than themselves rather than when split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups. Mixed aged classrooms help to foster independence and support academic, social and emotional growth.
What is the academic calendar and daily schedule?
We operate on an 11 month calendar but our flexible program allows families to travel together throughout the year, without sacrificing any learning. We begin each year on the Tuesday after Labor Day and are in sessions through the middle of July, with six 1-2 week breaks in between sessions. We begin Drop Off each day at 8:00am and the day ends at 3:15pm.
What is the cost of tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year?
Tuition for the 2025-2026 academic year is $16,812 split into eleven installments of $1,528.36. Sibling discounts and limited Hero grants available.
Is Ascent Academy a school?
Answer: Yes, Ascent Academy is a school… but in a way, it is not a school, and certainly not a school that shapes children into productive citizens, under arbitrary authority. Ascent Academy is more like a garden for geniuses, run by the geniuses, with a gate open to the world and mountains on the horizon. Seriously. It is a place where schooling does not get in the way of education, it just enhances it. And it is not limited by the traditional bounds and concepts of what education provides today.
Is Ascent Academy a Montessori school?
We respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy, but we are not a Montessori school. Our Spark Studio incorporates the familiar Montessori Work Cycle, guiding practices and tools, as well as a robust, outdoor loose-parts play cycle. The Discovery Studio, while embracing Montessori principles, also utilizes the latest interactive technologies, hands-on projects and the Socratic Method for discussions.
Is Ascent a religious school?
While we expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality, we do not promote any one religion.
What do you mean by “a 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.
Here is a quick reference on the Hero’s Journey.
What do you mean by “every child can change the world?”
A Hero’s Calling = Individual Passion + A Need in the World
We believe that each of our heroes will find a calling by discovering their passions and gifts, then finding a way to use them to serve others and fulfill a need.
What do you mean by a learner-driven classroom?
At Ascent Academy we believe in learning to be and learning to do. An important part of this is encouraging young people to take responsibility for their own behavior and hold those around them to a high standard. When something isn’t working, we want our students to work together to solve the problem, not look for an adult to solve it for them. This creates a sense of independence and confidence that will serve them well in all areas of life.
Is Ascent Academy accredited?
Yes the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools.
How do you use technology in the classroom without students having too much screen time?
In Discovery, we believe in the power of balance. Using the incredible, self-paced eLearning tools now available, we are able to provide the rigor needed for learning math, vocabulary, reading comprehension and spelling in about 90 minutes each day, while freeing up the rest of the day for engaging, project-based learning, the arts, outdoor education, service learning and other studio challenges. The two types of experiences are highly complementary.
In Spark, instead of using technology, learners use Montessori tools (hands on manipulatives), as well as large and small loose-parts outdoors, for their learning and exploration.
Does Ascent Academy serve special needs children?
We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but have been able to serve young heroes with cases (of dyslexia, for example) if they receive special training and believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed.
How is Ascent Academy affiliated with Acton Academy?
Ascent Academy is part of the network of over 100 Acton Academies around the world. We follow the same Learning Design (curriculum) and learning model that Samantha and Janita helped create at the original Acton Academy campus.
Don’t see your question?
Don’t worry! Just send us your questions to info@ascentacton.org
We enjoyed the opportunity to see the launch and are so grateful to be a part of this community.
— Parent