Acton Owners Conference - What We're a Part of

Acton Owner's Conference 2025 in Austin

During our lunch break on Saturday at the Acton Owners conference, I stumbled upon a conversation between Tyler Thigpen (founder and head of The Forest School in Atlanta and the Institute for Self-Directed Learning) and Matt Clayton - head of Slope School in Utah and former Acton Academy Network Admin (my first point of contact when we applied to open an Acton back in Nov. 2015). 

Tyler said to Matt, "You know, through the institute I end up consulting with tons of micro-school leaders... but Acton is miles ahead of all of them...." He mentioned how it's likely because of how much Jeff and Laura have poured into this network along with the unique role the adults play at Acton.

Matt jumped in and said, "I think it's because we're a principle-based network... things can change in the future, but the principles will remain the same forever." 

Matt's words were another reminder of the theme of the conference this year: "A Promise is a Promise." It's not money, it's not numbers, it's not accolades, nor fame... it's the principles that bind us all together as Acton owners.

This was my 9th Owner's Conference in 10 years and I might be leaving more energized and excited than ever before. It seems that whether it was meeting a new Acton Owner launching in Maui this September, rockstar owners in Oklahoma who are in the 5-7 year range, Nicole from Esteem and the Bynums at AA West Austin, both of whom are celebrating their 10th year, or the legendary Juan Bonafasi who will soon open his fifth Acton Academy in Guatemala... (the list can go on and on!)  every single person I met shared profound insights, posed genuine and thoughtful questions, and seemed deeply committed to the mission and principles of Acton. It was a gathering of dynamic, high-caliber people wanting to give children their absolute best in these critical years of development. 

Moreover, the conference ended with quite the bang Sunday morning as we listened to powerful speeches from Launchpadders, both current, and those who've recently graduated. They even asked Janak, our first graduate of THA, to give an impromptu speech! 

We sat mesmerized, some with eyes wide, others in tears, as we listened to their bits of wisdom and stories of transformation. It was clear to me that these young people are all on a Hero's Journey, searching for something deeper and more meaningful in life than the superficial and extrinsic rewards we are conditioned to pursue by traditional systems of education.

When you choose Acton, you are choosing grit over grades, callings over careers, critically thinking humans over machines, Heroes over victims, and so much more. You are giving children a path towards fulfillment, a way to find a calling and change the world.  

I was a little worried last year when Jeff and Laura abruptly handed off the leadership of the network to Jake at the conference. Jake is amazing, but it's hard to forget that moment when Jeff and Laura left and we all stood there scratching our heads a bit. However, after meeting so many incredible, sincere, and committed owners, after seeing what's on the horizon, I can confidently say the future of the network is in great hands. Acton is only going to continue to grow and spread seeds of civilization all over the world. The future is quite exciting.