Heartland Academy, An Acton Affiliate is a hybrid microschool just in front of one of the largest public parks in the city of Denver. We are a non-profit serving Colorado learners of all groups and backgrounds.
BELIEF STATEMENT: Every person is a genius who is capable of finding a calling that will change the world.
TEACHING AND LEARNING PHILOSOPHY: Heartland Academy founding families realized the need for overhauling traditional methods of education that place authority and power in the hands of a teacher or “sage on the stage,” noting that too often the innate genius of young learners is not supported in such a top-down learning system. Rather than teachers, our studios have guides who act with the sole purpose of supporting young learners on their learning journey. Guides are trained in the Socratic tradition to ask guiding questions rather than answer questions posed by inquiring young minds. Acting as a sounding board and asking the right questions are the guide’s super powers. This method works wonders to help learners focus or re-direct their energies to exploring possible solutions they may not have thought of. Metacognition and healthy self-reflective habits are promoted in early childhood through building a highly learner-driven environment at all levels of our academy.
ON “EDUCATING” OTHER PEOPLE: You cannot educate people; you can give them the tools to inspire, equip and connect them, and they will choose to educate themselves. You can lead a horse to water, and then model drinking behavior. If the horse is thirsty, willing, and able, the lesson is complete. Therefore, we equip the people who seek resources, inspire the ones who seek purpose, connect those who seek community, and seek the people who are seeking us.
ON LEARNING: Learning is natural. Learning is fun. Learning, loving, and living are intricately connected and sometimes inseparable. A human fulfills his yearning to learn when he can put subject matter to good use alongside growing positive human relationships. Therefore, we acknowledge that learning happens best in a setting with positive relationships, often including mentors and great role models or respected peers. Heartland’s mission is to create a community where each person’s genius is acknowledged, upheld, and supported to grow until he or she finds a calling that will change the world. What we believe is worthwhile to learn is: to love the divine in ourselves and others, and love our planet through skillfully honing our unique expression of creative intelligence.
BEST PRACTICES GUIDING OUR CULTURE: We promote community & belonging, self-agency, learner-driven programs, vulnerability and conflict resolution between peers, DEI, engagement through active learning, project-based group learning, gamifying the learning process, and mastery over grading policies.
CORE VALUES: We’ve identified six core values to uphold at Heartland, including 1) Freedom with accountability, 2) Transparency, 3) Loving relationships, 4) Recognizing everyone’s genius, 5) Growth mindset, 6) Community spirit
ON BLENDED LEARNING: We use a blended learning curriculum on a daily basis. Online, self-directed core skills work allows individual learners to learn at their own pace and their own level. Afternoon quests engage learners in collaborative, project-based teamwork so that developing good relationships is a vital part of the learning curve at Heartland. Learning to be oneself with others, learning to be a good teammate, recognizing good sportsmanship, and learning to work with many different personalities are extremely important in a world where complex problems require diversely equipped teams.
ON GUIDES: Guides never answer questions! Guides are encouraged to model life-long learning, be present, monitor the learners’ progress, and step in skillfully when re-direction is needed in the culture of the studio . Guides are trained to recognize, bring out, and focus on one’s personal best versus the traditional system that relies on grades. Rather than emphasizing results, developing a growth mindset and focusing on the learning process is prioritized. Learning to learn, know, be, and do are given equal emphasis. Guides encourage learners at Heartland to fail early, often, and cheaply, without ever accepting failure as final.
