The Adventure of a lifetime

Launchpad

AGES 14 - 18 (Opening 2026 - 2027)

Would you prefer a conventional high school or the adventure of a lifetime? Lauchpad (high school) is where learners prepare for their next great adventure, whether the next step is a selective college, launching their own business or a first job at SpaceX or Google. Extraordinary young leaders spend time doing something they love to do; inspired by world class coaches and experts; having fun with friends as they create lifelong memories.

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Acton Studios provide a modern approach to education for your childs journey.

What is your next great adventure? Prepare for Launch

Prepare for the real world through challenging apprenticeships, interviews with industry leaders, and deep reflection of how your gifts and passions align with a need in the world. Read deep literature; communicate clearly and powerfully; and tackle real world computational challenges. Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance. Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions. Serve in leadership roles in lower studios, the community, and around the world in the Acton Network.

1

Real world

Embark on challenging apprenticeships and cultivate industry mentors

2

Find a calling

Reflect on how your gifts and passions align with a need in the real world

3

Develop as a leader

Serve in leadership roles in lower studios and in the global Acton network

4

Engage Deeply

Read deep literature, communicate powerfully and clearly, wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas and studio governance

Acton Academy Madison West, is a community of learning where children from Blackhawk, Fitchburg, Middleton, Shorewood and more get a modern educational developement.
Children from Blackhawk, Fitchburg, Middleton, Sherwood and other areas being taught educational goals by Acton Academy Madison West.
Learning at Acton

What's your next step?

Discover the next step in your Hero’s Journey and launch into your next great adventure with a vision and a calling that could change the world
  • Showcase your accomplishments through a series of badges that will dazzle admissions officers
  • gain valuable skills, mastering them through apprenticeships, and launching real startups, businesses and projects – whether that’s in business, science, humanities, or the arts
  • Reach out to leaders in your field of interest and cultivate mentors and advisors
Watch a Day in the life at Acton Academy
Learning at Acton

A day in the life in Launchpad

  • Core skills - Mastering Reading, Writing, Math, and Civilization using computer simulations and Socratic Discussions
  • Quests: Competing and collaborating in a game-like series of real world projects to learn 21st Century Skills
  • Apprenticeships: Experimenting with entrepreneurs, scientists and community leaders to hone your most precious gifts and talents until you find your calling in life.
  • Mentors: Surround yourself with world-class entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and heroes in the field you're passionate about
Nurturing a philosophy of learning in Madison West, Blackhaw, Fitchburg, Middleton & Shorewood.
Our Philosophy of Learning

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

Acton Academy badges to help your childs journey in their education with Madison West Acton Academy.
Measuring Mastery

Rethink High School

​Your accomplishments will be showcased in a series of badges that will dazzle admissions officers at top notch universities or convince employees, partners and investors to join forces in a world changing start up.

  • Read deep literature, communicate clearly and powerfully, and tackle real world computational challenges

  • Wrestle with timeless moral dilemmas through Socratic discussions in Civilization and through studio governance

  • Dive deeply into college level biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, finance and psychology through immersive quests and public exhibitions

A School for the 21st Century

Latest News, videos & updates from Acton Academy
Acton Academy Madison West 21'st Century Learning
Rethinking Education: Geniuses & Heroes

A Tedx talk by Jeff Sandefer, Acton Academy Co-Founder
Acton Academy Madison West 21'st Century Learning
Turn Learning Upside Down

An inside look at the Acton Academy Studio
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Disruptive Education

Watch the award winning short documentary about Acton Academy
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Inside Acton Academy Madison West

Parents, heroes and founders at Acton Academy Madison West

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We had a great week! We kicked it off with a visit to the UW-Planetarium. The Planetarium was an old-school analog light projection, which was very cool. The heroes learned a new things about constellations and galaxies while exploring some of what they already knew in new ways, like seasons and sunsets and sunrises. Spark Read more…
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Houston, we had a…..great week! The Spark heroes continued to explore outer space! They learned the Earth is 4.5 billion years old and throughout this time, the Moon has been our planet’s constant companion. This week they explored the moon’s phases and its role in causing the tides. They learned that gravity is different on Read more…
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Spark returned focused and ready to learn this week! We kicked off our space-focused session. During our circle times, we focused on weather as a bridge to our space topics. We learned about Doppler radar and satellites, and how they help show us what’s going on with the weather. We also watched some videos of storm Read more…