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Acton Academy of Washington, DC

A Montessori preschool/kindergarten and student-centered elementary & middle school in Foggy Bottom.

 
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Acton Montessori (ages 3-6) offers an authentic Montessori curriculum in a nurturing home-away-from-home environment.

Acton Elementary (grades 1-5) is Montessori reimagined for the 21st century, combining individualized learning with Socratic discussions and real-world projects. In Acton elementary, children begin their journey to discover a calling and change the world.

Acton Middle Schoolers (grades 6-8) learn to do, learn to learn, and learn to be. The program combines individualized learning with Socratic discussions, real-world projects, and apprenticeships. Every week, middle schoolers explore the world around them by going on excursions. Middle school adventures include trips to national monuments and parks, kayaking on the Potomac River, and more.


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Acton Montessori (ages 3-6)

We are dedicated to guiding children ages 3-6 along their own path of development in a nurturing and stimulating space made just for them. Our Montessori classroom is filled with beautiful materials that facilitate growth and independence while keeping up with the active bodies and brains of young children. Children at Acton Montessori are encouraged to follow their interests, ask questions, and discover what excites them.

Then we toured Acton and, frankly, fell in love.
— Katie, Acton Parent


Acton Elementary (grades 1-5)

Acton elementary is a community where children in grades 1-5 are on a journey to discover a calling and change the world. Students are encouraged to explore questions such as who am I? Where am I going? How do my passions and talents connect with the world around me?

To support this journey, the Acton curriculum focuses on:

Learning to Learn: Individualized, mastery learning that prizes curiosity, discovery, creativity, and joy. Acton students work at their own pace in the core skills of math, reading, grammar, and spelling.

Learning to Do: Quests (project-based learning) challenge Acton students to learn by doing in fields as diverse as biology, programming, forensics, poetry, history, and more. Acton quests are like a heroic adventure. And rather than simply taking tests, Acton students prove their learning through exhibitions.

Learning to Be: Acton students engage in Socratic discussions, take ownership of their learning, and develop character traits—such as hard work, integrity, persistence, kindness, and gratitude—that are important for a fulfilling and meaningful life.

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Acton is the best decision we’ve ever made for our daughter.
— Amita, Acton Parent

The kids love school. Their critical thinking skills have increased dramatically.... I am very happy with Acton!
— Joe, Acton Parent

Acton Middle School (grades 6-8)

Like in Acton elementary, middle schoolers at Acton learn to do, learn to learn, and learn to be. Learners at Acton are held to a high standard of excellence and readiness to join Acton’s middle school requires a high degree of independence and responsibility.

Learning to Do: Students take on real-world challenges in the form of 4-6-week-long projects in which they use math, writing, physics, economics, civilizations, and more. Learning at Acton is challenging and fun!

Learning to Learn: At Acton, students learn how to learn. In middle school, Acton students are increasingly self-directed. They set and achieve goals for themselves in math, reading, writing, economics, philosophy, political science, art and creativity, and more. Students learn that hard work, focus, and deep practice are required to master subjects.

Learning to Be: At Acton, students learn how to be. They are given increased responsibility for managing their school community. At Actons, students practice resilience, learn to be kind to others, and build lifelong friendships.


All-Day Program

Parents may drop their children off anytime between 8:00 and 8:30am. Montessori parents may pick up anytime between 4:00 and 5:30pm and elementary and middle school parents may pick up anytime between 4:45 and 5:00pm. Elementary and middle school parents also have the option of school-day enrollment with pick up at 3:00pm. Tuition information.

Our daughter started at Acton and loves it. Every day after school she can’t stop talking about the adventures she’s had that day!
— Chad & Sytera, Acton Parents


Outdoor Space

The Acton campus on K Street features a large outdoor garden for activities and play. The space includes a tree for climbing, monkey bars, rings, and ropes for swinging, outdoor tables for arts and crafts, a garden for planting herbs and vegetables, and materials for creative and adventurous play.


Convenient Location

Acton's location in Foggy Bottom is convenient to families who commute to the K Street area from many neighborhoods in DC including Adams Morgan, Bloomingdale, Cleveland Park, Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Glover Park, West End, Woodley Park, and U Street as well as Arlington, Falls Church, and other neighborhoods in Virginia.



 
 

Schedule a Personal Tour

Step 1: Pick a Tour Date/Time

We offer personal tours daily. If you would like to schedule a virtual tour, please select a tour date/time on the calendar below.

Step 2: Tell Us About Yourself!

After you select your tour date/time, please tell us a bit more about yourself to complete the registration. We look forward to meeting you!

Following the virtual tour, we invite you to submit an application before we invite you to visit Acton Academy in person.