At Acton Academy, some of the most transformative learning moments don’t happen during a lesson—but between learners.
It happens when an older student notices a younger learner struggling with a math concept, pulls up a chair, and patiently explains it in their own words. It happens when a more experienced entrepreneur at the Children’s Business Fair walks a curious first-timer through their business plan. It happens when learners step into leadership—not because they were told to, but because someone needed them.
And every time it happens, something powerful is set in motion.
Teaching Deepens Understanding
We’ve all heard the phrase: “If you really want to learn something, teach it.” That’s not just a catchy quote—it’s brain science. Teaching reinforces memory, demands clarity, and challenges us to approach a topic from new angles.
When older learners explain a concept to younger ones, they’re not just being helpful—they’re engaging in a high-level form of learning. They’re testing their own understanding, breaking complex ideas into simple terms, and learning to communicate with empathy.
At Acton, we’ve seen learners master fractions, storytelling, and even business budgeting through the process of helping someone else understand it.
Leadership in Action
Leadership isn’t about standing at the front of the room. It’s about seeing a need and stepping in with care, courage, and humility. Peer teaching gives learners the chance to practice this kind of leadership every day.
One day, a younger learner might be in tears over a challenging reading assignment. An older peer steps in—not to rescue, but to encourage, guide, and believe in them. That act of service becomes a seed of leadership. And for the younger learner, it often becomes a moment of confidence: “If they believe in me, maybe I can do this.”
This isn’t hypothetical—it’s real. In one studio, a third-year learner noticed a younger Eagle struggling to start her business plan. Without being asked, she offered to sit down and share her own. What followed was a 20-minute coaching session that ended in a spark of inspiration—and two new friendships.
Empathy Through Experience
Peer teaching builds empathy in a way lectures never can.
Learners remember what it felt like to be confused, nervous, or stuck. So when they help someone else, they do it with compassion and patience. That shared experience creates trust and respect between age groups, and it fosters a studio culture where everyone rises together.
This kind of environment can’t be manufactured by adults—it grows organically when learners are trusted to lead, support, and care for one another.
What Makes This Possible?
At most traditional schools, classrooms are separated by rigid grade levels and directed solely by adults. Opportunities for peer teaching are rare and often scripted.
But at Acton, mixed-age studios are the norm. Learners of different ages and abilities share the same space, work on projects side-by-side, and learn how to help—and be helped—by each other.
This setup mirrors the real world, where teams are diverse, problems are collaborative, and growth happens through interaction.
And most importantly, it sends learners a clear message:
You have something valuable to offer.
You can lead, even while you’re learning.
Learning That Builds Character
When kids teach each other, they’re not just transferring knowledge. They’re building character. They’re practicing communication, problem-solving, patience, and kindness. They’re learning how to lift others—and, in the process, lift themselves.
Because leadership isn’t about knowing everything. It’s about showing up, reaching out, and believing in the person beside you.
Want to See This in Action?
Peer teaching isn’t a special event at Acton Academy—it’s part of daily life. It’s one of the ways learners grow into independent thinkers, compassionate leaders, and courageous problem-solvers.
📥 Curious how this learner-driven approach comes to life?
👉 Download our free info kit to discover how Acton Kennebunkport empowers kids to lead, teach, and grow together.
