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LiberatED Podcast

In Upstate New York, A New Acton Academy Takes Off

Jan 7, 2025
Melissa Borkowski, co-founder of Acton Studios of Rochester, dives into the world of learner-driven education. She shares her journey of launching a new school inspired by personal experiences and the challenges of the pandemic. Melissa discusses regulatory hurdles faced in New York, emphasizing community collaboration in overcoming obstacles. The conversation highlights Acton Academy's innovative educational model, focusing on empowering students through critical thinking and accountability, while fostering a supportive network among micro schools.
40:04

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Melissa and Nick Borkowski founded Acton Studios of Rochester to create a learner-driven educational environment focused on real-world experiences and personal growth.
  • The founders successfully navigated New York's strict education regulations by allowing families to register as homeschoolers while implementing the Acton model's innovative structure.

Deep dives

Founding Acton Studios of Rochester

Melissa Borkowski and her husband, Nick, co-founded Acton Studios of Rochester, inspired by their own educational experiences and a desire to create a learner-driven environment. They aimed to offer a different approach to education that emphasizes real-world experiences and personal growth, rather than a conventional curriculum. Their journey began with a yearning to provide an educational model that resonates more with the needs of today's learners, leading to discussions about starting a school even before they had children. The culmination of this dream was their launch in September 2024, starting with six learners, indicating a commitment to expanding educational options in Rochester.

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