Growth Mindset at Acton Academy

Children come into this world capable of anything, constantly absorbing information, learning, and growing. 

Parents of multiple children might notice differences from an early age with their children’s comfort or even willingness to keep trying something new. 

I remember that my son has been willing to climb hills and stairs, and challenge himself physically since he was mobile enough to do it, but he has been observably different when it came to writing and reading. He quickly determines that he “can’t” do a thing; and it takes patience on my part to sit with him through his resistance and support him in developing not only the skills to actually succeed at the challenge, but also in developing the growth mindset to get there.

One way we do that is by reading lots of books about a growth mindset, and I can recommend both, “The Magical Yet” and “The Power of Yeti”.

Why’s a growth mindset so important?

Facing challenges will happen our whole lives

How we approach and work through them can make all the difference. 

Do you have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset? 

Someone with a growth mindset views intelligence, abilities, and talents as learnable and capable of improvement through effort. Someone with a fixed mindset, on the other hand, views those same traits as inherently stable and unchangeable over time. 

Acton Academy stands out in the educational landscape for our commitment to fostering a growth mindset, not just because we talk about it, but because our learning model is designed around it. Our innovative school, which operates on principles of self-directed learning, autonomy, and community, uses a growth mindset as a foundational element of our educational philosophy.

Inspired by the research of Carol Dweck, Acton's approach is designed to instill in young people the belief that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work.

From academic exercises to real world “Quests”

At the core of Acton's educational model is the studio-based learning environment, where traditional classrooms are replaced with dynamic, interactive spaces that engage students in real-world challenges and projects designed to stretch their capabilities called Quests. These quests are not just academic exercises; they are crafted to push students out of their comfort zones, encouraging them to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and persist in the face of obstacles.

This method directly supports the development of a growth mindset, where students learn to see effort as a path to mastery rather than a sign of inadequacy.

Structure at Acton Academy

The curriculum at Acton Academy North Cincinnati is structured to provide young people with both structured and unstructured learning opportunities.

Structured elements of Quests guide students through core competencies, allowing them to build foundational knowledge incrementally while also applying these skills in real-world contexts.

Unstructured or open-ended components of Quests, on the other hand, give students the freedom to explore areas of personal interest, which further reinforces the idea that learning is an expansive, lifelong journey.

Feedback at Acton Academy

Feedback is another critical component in nurturing a growth mindset at Acton Academy. Rather than focusing on grades or inherent talent, feedback at Acton is centered on process, effort, and strategy.

Guides and peers are trained to provide constructive feedback that emphasizes what can be learned from each experience, how one's approach might be improved, and the value of perseverance. This feedback loop helps students understand that their intelligence and capabilities are not fixed but can grow with persistence and the right strategies.

Socratic discussions

Acton also employs Socratic discussions, which are pivotal in developing critical thinking and the ability to learn from others.

In these discussions, students are encouraged to question, debate, and learn from each other, promoting the idea that intellectual growth often comes from collective inquiry rather than solitary study.

This communal approach to learning underscores the growth mindset by showing that everyone has something to learn and teach, thus dismantling the notion of static intelligence.

Growth Mindset and the Hero’s Journey

To top it off, Acton's Hero's Journey narrative, where each student is seen as a hero on their own educational journey, integrates the growth mindset into every aspect of life.

Students are encouraged to set ambitious goals, tackle problems, and reflect on their growth, which aligns perfectly with the growth mindset principles of seeing challenges as opportunities for development.

In summary, Acton Academy North Cincinnati is deeply rooted in the principles of a growth mindset. By structuring learning around personal agency, feedback focused on growth, and an environment that celebrates effort and learning from mistakes, Acton not only teaches but lives the growth mindset. This approach not only prepares students academically but equips them with the resilience and adaptability needed for lifelong learning and personal success.

If you're seeking an educational experience that honors your child's individuality and prepares them for life, Acton Academy North Cincinnati is ready to welcome your family. With roughly 300 Acton Academies worldwide, thousands of families are already making this choice, showing that Acton Academy’s transformational education more than satisfactorily serves their children.

Talk soon,

PS - if you know someone who wants to support education with their year-end tax-deductible donations, we have partnered with the Warren County Foundation to offer 501c3 tax sheltering to support learners with tuition and scholarships!

Donations can be made at their PayPal account, here: https://www.warrencountyfoundation.org/donate.html 
*note*: comment, “Acton Cincy Scholarship Fund”.

Joshua Blatman
ActonCincyNorth.com
TheDrivenLearner.com