Frequently Asked Questions

We offer Kindergarten through 8th grade. 

We are located in Cleveland, Tennessee, in the Black Fox area of south Cleveland, at 2420 Varnell Road SW. 

The studio is on a gated property with 10 beautiful acres. There is lots of grass, trees, chickens & guineas, gardens, and a small stream. We have 2,000 square feet of indoor space for the studio which boasts a private bathroom and a small kitchen area for learners to use the refrigerator and microwave, as needed. Serious applicants will be invited to the campus, upon request, for tours of the studio space. We collect a $25 tour fee with your tour application. This will be applied towards your Supplies Fee if you choose to enroll.

The Triumph Academy model is based on the microschool concept and is a learner-driven community. A microschool is a modernized version of the one-room schoolhouse with mixed-age level groupings, personalized education, and a small population. Starting small allows us to get to know each child while building a solid foundation with like-minded families.

In addition to the microschool structure, here are other characteristics that differentiate our model from traditional school:

1. Learner-driven, self-paced learning
2. Real world projects and apprenticeships
3. Mixed-age groupings
4. Guides rather than teachers
5. Socratic discussions rather than lectures
6. Exploration and assessment of skill levels, learning styles, aptitudes, personality traits, and interests
7. Mastery learning and student portfolios of achievements rather than grades
8. No homework
9. No teaching to the test

• The Acton model is based on an eleven-month calendar. We believe that children learn best when they have time to rest between educational units (sessions), and when they experience a shorter summer break that allows them to maintain their subject interest, passion for learning and academic progress from the previous year. The sessions will last around five to six weeks with a one (or sometimes two) week break in between. We will be closed in the summer for approximately 6 weeks at the end of July and through August.
• Children arrive between 8:00-8:25am and the school day will begin promptly at 8:30am with a morning Socratic launch. Pick up will begin promptly at 3:00pm and will end at 3:30pm. A typical day at Triumph Academy will include lots of collaboration, outdoor time, quests, discussions and core skills.
• 2024-2025 School Calendar
• 2025-2026 School Calendar

We value freedom and flexibility. Families will not be penalized for travel or days off to pursue family and personal endeavors. However, being part of the tribe is an integral part of the Acton model, so learners are encouraged to attend when they are in town. Part time students attend 3 days a week (usually Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - but this is flexible if this doesn't work for your family). If a day is missed, your part-time days can be made up later or swapped for a different day that week.

Language is important and the words we use at Acton are intentionally meant to empower young people. We refrain from using words such as "kids" or "child" as this delegates power to the adult, where in our studio the learners are in control of their education, their tribe, and their success as a team.

Our Language

• Students are Learners or Heroes.
• We have Guides not Teachers.
• We have Studios not Classrooms.
• We have Badges and Exhibitions not Grades.
• We have Contracts not arbitrary Rules.
• Our older learners find their own Apprenticeships.
• We are Socratic and do not lecture.
• We build our curriculum around the Hero’s Journey.

Our Philosophy

• Clear thinking leads to good decisions,
• Good decisions lead to the right habits,
• The right habits lead to character, and
• Character becomes destiny.

We value and respect each person’s beliefs. We explore the importance various religions have played throughout history, but we do not offer specific religious education. Learners will be exposed to a variety of religions through our study of civilization. 

Lord John Emerich Edward Dahlberg Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license, but as the freedom to do what was right. He was suspicious of power for the sake of power, which led to his most famous quote: "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." At Acton Academy, we celebrate his defense of economic, political and religious freedom. 

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. At Triumph Academy, we celebrate their defense of economic, political and religious freedom. 

Someone who can research questions, follow instructions, solve problems—admit that they don't know something and figure out a solution when they hit a roadblock without asking an adult for help — participate in discussions, and strive for mastery. We help children learn how to think, not what to think.

• A child's ability to set and track goals in order to evaluate progress is essential to success in a learner-driven, individualized program. Children need a lot of practice setting specific, measurable goals that are challenging but realistic.
• Learners will set goals, track progress, and establish a rhythm of meeting with their Guide to hold themselves accountable. In addition, they will develop an agreement with the guide, their running partner, and their tribe to set boundaries for acceptable behavior and rules for engagement in the studio.
• We believe that learning to set goals and challenging yourself are critical skills for the real world.
• Learners are guided through their learning and the daily schedule with the help of their guide and the tribe. They may choose not to do their own core learning, but while other motivated learners choose to set and meet tough goals, we often see more hesitant learners jump on board themselves.

Running Partners are classmates who meet together regularly to set goals and hold each other accountable for meeting those goals. Running Partners encourage and inspire each other by asking good questions, listening and providing affirmation. 

We believe that children learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized curriculum, all ages of students work together in groups.  Until we move the studio to a new space, elementary and middle school socratic launches will be divided to different areas of the studio so that age-appropriate critical thinking skills can be built.

We are not trained to serve children with serious learning disabilities but are able to serve young heroes with dyslexia most of the time. We believe that many minor learning disabilities are commonly misdiagnosed. Learners with ADD/ADHD often thrive in this environment as they have freedom to move their body as needed, take any brain breaks they want, and work at a pace which is best for them.

We believe each of our students will find a passion — something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world. This may be by becoming a shoe-shiner who tells stories and makes people's day just by doing his job with love and vigor; it may be by becoming a coach who sees the light in a child’s eyes and guides her to pursue a dream; it may be by becoming a father or mother who leads a family on a Hero's Journey; it may be by becoming an entrepreneur or business leader guided by compassion and integrity; or it may be by becoming an artist or writer who brings beauty to people's lives. 

We believe in liberty and justice and the ideals of the American revolution as the cornerstones of civilization. In addition to experiential learning, we will study the American documents and the true meaning behind them, as we examine other cultures and forms of government. 

We have purposedly priced ourselves just below most private schools in the Chattanooga area. We believe Triumph Academy offers a world class education, and there is great value in the experience our learners are getting here. To build your belief in the Acton education model, see our In the Press page. For Enrollment and Tuition, see our Tuition Page.

Yes. Triumph Academy is an accredited member of the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS) under the umbrella of all Acton Academies.

The IALDS is an accreditation entity with a focus on schools with strong values, proven methodology and a commitment to continuous improvement. Supporting schools that serve the whole person, the IALDS is committed to finding a way for staff, parents, and students in its member schools to thrive in emotionally supportive and developmentally appropriate environments as they learn and grow.

You can find more information online at https://ialds.org/

Technology is a useful tool and we are excited for our students to learn how to responsibly use computers to access information, communicate effectively, and learn independently. The studio will learn about the responsible use of technology and incorporate some online programs into their research and Core Skills. Children in our elementary studio will typically spend less than an hour using computers for morning core skills (reading, math, typing) each day and additional time in the afternoon if their Quest research requires it. In addition to plenty of tech-free, hands-on learning opportunities, children will spend an ample amount of free time outdoors each day. Unstructured play as well as team building opportunities outdoors will be built into the daily schedule. When possible, elements of the curriculum such as Quests, DEAR (Drop Everything And READ), Civilization, and Group Read takes place outdoors.

All schools in Tennessee must fall into one of four categories: public school, private school, church school, or home school. In order for Triumph Acton Academy to apply the unique Acton learning design (curriculum) that is fully learner-driven, we must fall under the umbrella of home school co-op. Other categories of Tennessee schools are compelled by TN state standards and timelines.

In order to be in compliance with TN Compulsory Attendance laws, all Triumph Academy students must be registered as homeschooled. All homeschool children must either be: 

1) registered as independent with the local school district, 2) enrolled in an umbrella school, 3) enrolled in an accredited online school.

More details can be found on these links:

Tennessee Department of Education Homeschool Registration

Middle Tennessee Home Education Association

The Triumph Academy Director will be keeping records of your child's attendance at school so this information will be helpful when it comes time for any reporting. Your student will also be compiling a portfolio and be given skills progress reports which will be helpful not only for record keeping but also for applying for internships, apprenticeships, or if a family transfers to another school.

As part of the enrollment process at Triumph Academy, we require proof of registration through the method of your choice, as listed above. *Our own children are registered as independent homeschoolers with their local school district. If you need help navigating this process, please let us know and we are happy to provide direction.

 Step 1: Research

• First, please thoroughly review our website and FAQ (above). Next, you are encouraged to read Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer or Unschooling Rules by Clark Aldrich. Courage to Grow gives you a page-turning deep dive into how Acton came about and what life in an Acton academy looks like. Unschooling Rules is a quick and easy read that discusses many of the philosophical and learning design principles followed by all Acton Academies across the world. If you want to learn more from a parent's perspective, check out Acton Academy co-founder Laura Sandefer’s blog for Acton Academy parents. Videos on our page will also familiarize you with the Acton methodology.

Step 2: Apply

1. Contact Us Email us to ask any questions you might still have, then let us know you would like to begin the application process. Director@TriumphActonAcademy.com
2. Application & Tour Fee $25 (non-refundable) and Application If you feel like Acton is the right fit for your family, after you have done your research, please complete the online application. 

**Applications will be considered in the order they are received, so we encourage you to apply early. Our studios are mixed-ages and openings are based on age distribution.