Treign Up Academy

Reimagining education for tomorrow's heroes. Coming in fall of 2024!

“So what do you think the purpose of school is?” I asked.

“To prepare them for life and get them to love to learn.” He responded.

“Do you think our current system is doing a good job of that?” I asked again.

“No. No, I do not.” Said the parent.

“Every system is perfectly designed to get the result that it does.” - Edward Denning

Did you know the educational system many of our kids experience today traces back to the Prussian models designed over two centuries ago? Systems that prioritized obedience and compliance, rather than innovation and individuality. Frankly, that’s no way to prepare our children for the rapidly evolving 21st-century landscape.

Problem Statements

Here are some of the problems with today’s system…

Problem #1: Inefficient

• Today's educational models waste countless hours on redundant practices and outdated content. Despite the long hours spent inside classroom walls, there's a massive disconnect between the time invested and the quality of education delivered. Our students deserve an environment where every hour is optimized for maximum growth and meaningful learning.

Problem #2: Ineffective

• Modern schooling lacks clear, forward-thinking objectives aligned with the demands of the 21st century. Today, the aim of public school seems to be memorization of information. Is that what best sets them up for success? Even with this goal, it rarely hits the mark as most students memorize for the test and then forget it all weeks later. It's a system that misses the mark, both in vision and execution.

Problem #3: Inflexible

• At a time when rapid change is the norm, many educational structures remain mired in slow-moving, outdated systems. This rigidity prevents schools from adapting to new information, technologies, and societal needs. In the fast-paced 21st century, this inability to pivot and evolve is a major detriment to student preparedness.

Problem #4: Truth Decay

• Modern educational environments are becoming saturated with political biases, from extreme progressivism to the suppression of religious beliefs. This has led to an inability to discuss core values, like the teachings of Christ, and affirm the genuine identity of students. Instead of guiding, many institutions now mislead.

I also want to make a two things very clear before we move forward:

1. We believe that the teachers and most of the leaders in the public system are doing their VERY BEST and are highly qualified, intelligent, and hard-working. They are giving their lives to help support the next generation the best they can and we commend them for that.

2. This approach is not the solution to the wicked problem that is public education. It is one way to approach it that will be a great fit for some families’ situation.

So what exactly is this? Treign Up is joining the Acton Academy affiliate schools and is creating a micro-school in the Hanover/Ashland area of Virginia. This school will be for parents AND children who believe:

• Young people should be prepared for life and not just for higher education

• the love of learning is more important than memorization of facts for the sake of test scores

• 6 hours a day of lecture in a classroom promotes boredom and does not encourage curiosity

• that future is bright and new skills are needed to be successful

• that your child’s relationship with christ is of the utmost importance

• each and every child has a gift and passion that is worth finding

Mission:

We are -

Empowering young heroes to step into truth and master their talents to be unleashed on their life missions.

Here is how we are doing that:

• Self-Paced mastery of reading, writing, and math

• Focus on identity

• ‘Guides’ not teachers

• Learn by doing

• Experiential learning for the skills of the future

• Embedded critical thinking in all activities

Here are the outcomes we’re expecting:

• Identity & Christ-like character

  • Our learners every day will be reminded of who they are in Christ - developing the right mindset and beliefs about themselves, the world, and their role in it.

• Access the genius within

  • We believe that every child is a hero on a hero’s journey and that they have their own adventure to seek out and dominate on their own.

• Core Skills

  • Developing excellence in reading, writing, and mathematics and then creating space for them to gain experience in 21st century soft skills such as leadership & communication.

• Love of Learning

  • Learning will become fun and something they appreciate throughout life as they grow and are forced to adapt to change.

• Long-Term Athletic Development (LTAD)

  • Our school will develop kids mentally, spiritually, and also be a place where they learn to get the most from their bodies and develop great habits to set them up for life. Specifically, we are creating a program that revolves around long-term athetic development (LTAD) for those interested. It will be a great place for athletes who have a passion for sports and competition!

What’s the Science Say?

The science The modern educational system finds its roots in Prussian models from the 18th and 19th centuries, originally designed to produce obedient soldiers and compliant citizens. These hierarchical structures prioritized rote memorization over critical thinking, creating uniformity rather than fostering individuality. Despite centuries of societal evolution, many of today's educational practices remain tethered to this antiquated system, often hindering innovation and personal growth in students. Here are just a few models that point to these truths

1. The Learning Pyramid states that we retain the LEAST amount of information when we are lectured to. With today’s technology, especially with the opportunity of gamifying so much of learning and possibilities for individual curation, there is no reason for teachers to stand in front and teach information. Their goal should be to facilitate learning experiences that put the student in an ACTIVE state of learning. Not passive.

   

2. The “Two Sigma Problem” from Bloom refers to the educational phenomenon that the average student tutored one-to-one using mastery learning techniques performed two standard deviations better than students educated in a classroom environment. What educators have tried to figure out for so long is how to replicate a 1:1 tutoring that can achieve these results. Well, today we now have the technology to do this and it won’t be long until everyone has safe and ethical tutors at their fingertips with AI. The teacher will move from large scale instructor to “environmental architect” that creates highly engaging experiences that help to take information and learning taking place with the tutor and make it relevant with hands on projects.

   

3. 70/20/10 is a model made famous by Starbucks’ training program. They designed all their skill development and onboarding to center around 70% of training to be hands-on, 20% to be feedback from peers and mentors, and then 10% to be your usual classroom instruction. The minimization of classroom instruction has led to improved outcomes across all KPIs.

4. Engagement and Relevancy is the crux of knowledge and skill retention. One of my favorite models is the 6 habits of high performers. One of the six is to “increase necessity” which is one of the least understood. There needs to be a reason why, for the learner, to retain and use the information or else it is just a waste of time. This is one reason we chose a methodology that emphasizes Self-driven learning opportunities which Montessori was so big on.

   

5. Identity is the final area that I would like to touch on. Science points to self-identity as the primary driver of behavior. Specifically, the narrative theory of identity postures that individuals form an identity by integrating their life experiences into an internalized, evolving story of the self that provides the individual with a sense of unity and purpose in life. In short, ‘we are the story that we tell about ourselves'. It is imperative that this identity is intentionally formed with the Truth of the Gospel. We plan every day to speak into this in unique ways that connect with boys.

“If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow.” - John Dewey

21st Century Skills

The pace of change is only accelerating. AI, VR/AR, Robotics, blockchain, will change the world as we know it over the next 50 years. Here are just a few skills that will be necessary to develop in the next generation:

• Storytelling

• Leadership

• Growth Mindset

• Sense-Making

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Ethics

• Problem-Solving

• Digital Fluency

• Adaptive Thinking

“The future of work for both individuals and organizations relies on rapid learning, unlearning, and adaptation.” - The Adaptation advantage

To develop these skills, we have to rethink the entire way we approach schooling design. These are all skills that require EXPERIENCES to practice and develop. Daily. For this reason, we’ve decided to partner with the organization that we feel that has done the best job so far of creating a system and environment that can drive these outcomes: Acton Academy.

Acton Academy is an innovative education provider that now has over 300+ locations worldwide. Since 2012 in their first launch, only 4 have shut down. With such a high effectiveness rate, we expect to also be successful, especially with our innovative go-to-market strategy connecting our other Treign Up Brands to the launching of this endeavor.

We plan to launch our first Discovery Studio for 12 learners between ages 5-8…

FALL OF 2024.

What Can You Do?

There are 4 areas where you can get involved:

1. Join!

   1. If you are in the North Richmond area, we would love for you to ocnsider sending your kids aged 5-8 to be a part of our first Discovery Studio!

2. Advise

   1. Bring your valuable skills and experience and join our advisory board committee to ensure that our efforts are moving the needle and making the change we wish to have in the community.

3. Donate

   1. Your generosity has the power to transform our vision into a lasting legacy. Your donation will go directly to the launching of the campus and/or our scholarship funds to support a select group of learners.

4. Recruit

   1. Your network is a goldmine of potential allies and advocates; introducing us can exponentially increase our outreach and efficacy. Help us bring aboard passionate individuals from your circles; together, we can build a formidable team driven by shared purpose.

FAQs

1. What is Acton Academy?

   • Answer: Acton Academy is a modern, student-driven learning environment that prioritizes real-world experiences, self-paced mastery, and the development of 21st-century skills over traditional rote learning.

2. Is Acton Academy affiliated with any religious group?

   • Answer: Acton Academy is a secular institution, but individual campuses, such as Treign Up Academy, may incorporate faith-based elements according to their mission.

3. How does the learning experience differ from traditional schools?

   • Answer: At Acton Academy, students learn through a combination of self-paced mastery, project-based learning, Socratic discussions, and real-world apprenticeships, rather than traditional classroom lectures.

4. What is the role of teachers at Acton Academy?

   • Answer: Teachers at Acton function more as "guides" than traditional instructors. They facilitate learning, encourage critical thinking, and help students set and achieve their own goals.

5. How are students assessed?

   • Answer: Instead of traditional grading systems, students demonstrate mastery of subjects through portfolios, exhibitions, and real-world projects.

6. How does Acton Academy prepare students for college and the real world?

   • Answer: Acton emphasizes the development of real-world skills, critical thinking, leadership, and entrepreneurship, ensuring students are well-equipped for both higher education and practical challenges in life.

7. What is the age or grade range for students?

   • Answer: Acton Academies cater to various age groups, from elementary to high school. Specifics can vary depending on the campus or affiliate school.

8. Is there a standardized curriculum?

   • Answer: While there are core tenets and practices, each Acton Academy can adapt and modify its curriculum to best suit its students and community.

9. How does Acton Academy handle students with different learning speeds and styles?

   • Answer: The self-paced, mastery-based approach allows each student to learn at their own pace, ensuring everyone is both challenged and supported in their learning journey.

10. Is there homework?

• Answer: Acton believes in maximizing productivity during school hours, reducing the need for homework. However, students might work on projects or pursue areas of personal interest outside of school.

11. Are there extracurricular activities and sports?

• Answer: Each Acton Academy campus decides on its extracurricular offerings based on available resources and student interest.

12. How can parents get involved?

• Answer: Parental involvement varies by campus, but all academies encourage active parental participation, be it through volunteering, joining parent committees, or attending student exhibitions.

We are dedicated to raising the next generation of boys. This school is for both sexes but the entire methodology is rooted in an approach that works especially for boys.

Train. Disciple. Encourage.