Courage to Grow: How Acton Academy Turns Learning Upside Down

By: Laura Sandefer

Narrated by: Laura Sandefer

Length: 3 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

Courage to Grow tells how a small school in Austin, Texas, sparked a worldwide awakening of families, who believe every child deserves to find a calling that will change the world. 

In an age where Google shares information, Uber shares cars, and Airbnb shares rooms, Acton Academy turns learning upside down by equipping children to share learning with each other, in a close-knit community with extremely high standards of excellence. 

Word of Acton's transformative impact is spreading, family by family. Over 50 Acton Academy affiliates span the globe, with applications pending from more than 6,300 entrepreneurial parents who want to start a learner-driven community. 

Courage to Grow is not a "how to" book, but a fast-paced story of courageous families who found more compelling ways to learn and grow. Along the way, parents and children discovered the questions, tools, and frameworks we all need to forge a stronger character and supercharge human potential. 

Like all good tales, Courage to Grow has a surprise ending, a final lesson you won't want to miss about parenting and the courage required to live life to its fullest.

©2017 Acton Academy (P)2018 Acton Academy

Thinly veiled religion

My child went to the school that is associated with this book and which this book is required reading material for all parents of students there in. At first it seems like paradise. As time went on, I realized through passive aggressive notes past to me, verbally, through my 4 1/2 year old to me from the teacher that communication is not a strong suit. I read the entire book hoping to understand the work behind the school under a roof and it failed to do so. I can’t honestly say that this book prepared me in any way for the school and I left the school after a session of getting a mumbled unhappy message from my daughter about my behavior as an adult about something that happened when I was not present. In fact, my daughter told me that her teacher told her that I am the type of person that asked to many questions. Hell yeah I ask a lot of questions about my daughters education!.
I can’t really make this review simply about the book because I don’t know how to separate it from the book in my experience. I hope this helps some reader who is seeking to go to one of the charter schools that was created from this book… Just be careful I guess.

Sparking real learning

I recommend this book to anyone that reflects inwardly about children’s learning and wants their child to thrive in caring and understanding their purpose in life and their ability to shape it regardless of circumstances or because or circumstances. I found it profound and extremely insightful! Hope you’ll read and reflect!

Thank you Sandefers for writing it!

Game-changer

This book, along with hearing Laura Sandefer speak, changed the trajectory of my life. I became empowered to start a school for my children and community. I have embraced this concept of living a hero’s journey and realized I can persevere through any manner of hard times when it is connected to purpose and passion. And through and beyond the hard times, there is beauty and wonder beyond what I could imagine for my family and community.

This book was the start of that new chapter in my life. Laura’s heart-warming and vulnerable story of starting a school and it becoming a movement that is actively changing the world is empowering. Be ready to be inspired!

Inspiring

Wow, very inspiring! Loved they way they think and challenge students as well as the whole family! Very good!

Inspiring!

This book provides hope for my grandchildren, American education and education around the world. Thank you, Acton Academy!

Makes me want to start my own Acton!

Very well written in a manner that helps parents understand the mission and vision behind the Acton Academy development. They get kids!! So many wonderful stories of growth in children. Stories of the struggles in being the parents and the principals. I just may listen again!!

A new and refreshing look on education

You won’t be able to look at traditional school the same way again. Also you will see students potential expand beyond your dreams.

A New Way of Learning

Sometimes a spark ignites in you and it turns into something amazing. This is what happened with the Sandifers from Austin, Texas. When public school wasn't working for their kids, they took a leap and created something new - what is now known as Acton Academy and exists in hundreds of schools worldwide. They have created an "unschool" that allows kids to lead the way with their own education, mentored by gifts each step of the way. This has led to more well adjusted students who rank highly on standardized tests - and are now more wholly developed and ready to face the world as adults. Love this story, love this model of learning!

Must read for every parent whether your kids join Acton or Not

Trusting the child in they learning by themselves is a big change for parents but is the need of the hour. Self learning and experimentation are the core competencies small business entrepreneurs are looking for in their team members. Morality and Ethics are needed to be taught, debated and discussed freely without judgement. Any environment especially if we can make this happen at home will make our children better humans. It is hard no doubt but this book provides insight on parents to start that journey now than never. Thank you Laura for sharing :)

This was an inspirational book.

Very helpful in understanding why and how kids can learn without being kept in a box. Wonderful!