Section 2 Take a moment to thoroughly review the Acton Academy Blairsville website.Unschooling Rules by Clark Aldrich Sugata Mitra TED Talk Sal Kahn TED talk The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle Nurture Shock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman A Thomas Jefferson Education by Oliver DeMille One World Schoolhouse by Sal KhanOnce you are ready, answer the following questions.
What were your biggest lessons learned from the website, blogs and Courage to Grow or Jeff Sandefer's TEDx talk? (Please feel free to include observations from any of the other books or TED talks.) Do you believe your child is a genius who deserves to find a calling that changes the world? How will you continue to pursue your child's learning adventures if there are no immediate openings at Acton Academy? How did you find out about Acton Academy? Is there anyone in our community who you would like us to ask about your audition? What school(s) has your child attended? How would you describe the perfect teacher for your child and how would you measure whether he or she is advancing quickly enough? As a parent, are there areas where you have concerns or special attention your child may need to prosper, especially if it’s an area of growth your child’s previous teachers may mention should we contact them? How familiar are you with the Hero’s Journey? (Scale 1- 5) 1 2 3 4 5
What do you dream of your child being able to do by the time he or she is 18 years old? (i.e. travel by herself to Europe working as she goes, attend a prestigious college, etc.) What traits do you hope to pass on to your child that your parents passed on to you, and which will you avoid at all costs? When it’s all said and done, are great parents lucky or smart? How often do you expect to hear updates on your child’s progress from Acton Academy Blairsville? What excites you about the Acton Academy model? Leave empty if you need to learn more to answer.
What challenges you the most about the Acton Academy model? What do you hope to learn more about during the course of the audition? What special interests or hobbies does your child have? How do they typically spend their free time or engage with their passions? Please describe your child's educational experience thus far. What aspects have been successful or enjoyable for them? What challenges have you encountered in their learning journey? At our school, we place a heavy emphasis on fostering independence. What type of responsibilities does your child have at home (e.g., chores, self-care routines, managing personal belongings)? How do they handle these tasks? For the safety and comfort of all children in the program, all applicants must be able to use the restroom independently and clean themselves appropriately. Please confirm that your child meets this requirement. In our practical life curriculum, students will have opportunities to work with small kitchen tools (e.g., paring knives, peelers, graters), as well as craft tools (e.g., hammers, felting needles, sewing needles, hand saws) under supervision. Please let us know if you have any concerns regarding your child's ability or willingness to safely use these tools, as well as your comfort level with this type of hands-on experience. Our school grounds include a river, creeks, and a pond. Please let us know if your child is able to swim and if you have any concerns regarding their safety around water. Our school has chickens and rabbits, and part of our program involves animal care. Does your child have any prior experience with caring for animals, or do you have any concerns about your child's involvement with the animals? We also have a garden where children will engage in gardening activities, and they will have access to gardening tools. Please let us know if you have any comments or concerns regarding your child's participation in these activities. As a predominantly outdoor school, our students often engage in hands-on learning activities in all kinds of weather. How do you feel about your child coming home dirty, and do you acknowledge that your child should come prepared for the weather each day (e.g., wearing appropriate clothing, footwear, etc.)? We believe in building a strong, collaborative community. Our school regularly invites experts to share their talents and knowledge with our learners. Do you have any talents, skills, or expertise you would be willing to contribute to our school community? If so, how would you like to get involved, and what does that look like for you?