Across the country, families are rethinking education in ways we haven’t seen in generations. Since 2020, over a million students have left public schools, while alternative models—microschools, learning pods, and hybrid homeschools—have doubled their enrollments. A recent study from the Christensen Institute, in partnership with VELA and The Rewired Group, asked an important question: Why are families making the switch?
The research uncovered three core reasons, or “Jobs to Be Done,” that drive parents to seek new learning environments. These insights confirm what we’ve seen at Acton Academy Kennebunkport: families aren’t just running away from something broken—they’re running toward something better.
Job 1: Families Want Their Voices Heard
Many parents feel ignored in traditional schools. Whether it’s curriculum choices, classroom priorities, or the values embedded in education, parents often find themselves on the outside looking in. They may be politely acknowledged, but their concerns rarely shape decisions.
At Acton, parents are partners, not spectators. Our learner-driven studios are built on shared values of responsibility, curiosity, and integrity. Families join a community where their voice matters—not in dictating every detail, but in shaping the culture that supports their child’s growth.
Job 2: Families Need a Place Where Children Love Learning Again
For some families, the breaking point comes when school is a daily battle. Their child is anxious, unsafe, or disengaged. Traditional classrooms too often label these learners as “problems” instead of seeing them as unique individuals.
We’ve seen what happens when children rediscover the joy of learning. At Acton, mornings don’t start with tears or dread—they start with excitement. Learners work at their own pace, collaborate on meaningful projects, and take ownership of their journey. Parents tell us that the daily fight melts away when their child actually wants to go to school.
Job 3: Families Are Looking for Balance Beyond Test Scores
Even when children excel academically, families worry about what’s missing. A childhood filled with worksheets, test prep, and constant performance pressure can leave little room for creativity, resilience, or joy.
Acton was designed to nurture the whole child. Here, young people learn math and reading, yes—but they also build businesses, stage plays, explore nature, and tackle real-world challenges. They grow grit, confidence, and character alongside academic skills. Families who choose Acton aren’t rejecting learning; they’re demanding more of it—more balanced, more meaningful, and more human.
Acton Academy: Built for This Moment
The report makes one point crystal clear: families change schools when their struggles outweigh their inertia. They need to feel that a new path can both solve their problems and give them hope.
That’s where Acton comes in. We are not a “one-size-fits-all” stopgap. We are a learner-driven community built to honor family values, reignite a love for learning, and cultivate well-rounded human beings.
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For the unheard parent: We offer a place where families and children are respected as partners.
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For the struggling child: We provide a safe, engaging, joyful environment that restores confidence.
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For the high achiever under pressure: We balance academic excellence with creativity, freedom, and play.
Education is changing, and families are leading the charge. As one microschool founder put it, “We’re not just solving for academics—we’re solving for life.” That’s the vision Acton Academy Kennebunkport is proud to carry forward.
If you’re a parent who has felt unheard, watched your child’s spark fade, or worried that school is squeezing the life out of learning, you’re not alone. Families across the country are demanding something better—and finding it in microschools like Acton.
At Acton Academy Kennebunkport, we believe every child is a genius, destined to find a calling that changes the world. Our role is not to control or conform them, but to equip them with the skills, curiosity, and character to thrive on life’s journey.
Because education isn’t just about preparing for college or careers. It’s about preparing for life.
Download our free info kit here to learn more: https://actonkennebunkport.org/go/info/kit/
