What We're a Part Of: Reflections from the Acton Owners Conference

Last Friday, our Discovery Studio dismissed early so Jamie and I could attend our first Acton Owners Conference—a gathering of founders from around the world who are building learner-driven communities just like Sage Academy.

As it turned out, the journey there wasn’t meant for me this year. I came down with food poisoning and ended up sleeping nearly 20 hours between Friday and Saturday. I took the weekend to rest. But Jamie went—and came back recharged and inspired. The timing couldn’t be better as we prepare to formally launch our Spark Studio and begin building strong bridges between Spark and Discovery.

In the last two years, Sage has grown what we lovingly call a "hybrid model"—where our kindergarten and elementary learners shared one studio space. It was a creative solution that allowed us to launch with flexibility, but the acquisition of Lake Granbury Montessori has opened up a new chapter: the chance to fully embrace the Acton model by establishing a dedicated Spark Studio.

Spark is inspired by Montessori’s three-year learning cycle. In the early years, learners absorb, explore, and repeat through rich social play and hands-on work. By the third year—what many consider the kindergarten year—something beautiful happens. You begin to see a shift:

• From sounding out letters to confidently writing full sentences

• From exploring counting materials to solving math operations independently

• From quietly observing group work to actively stepping into leadership

  
  

It’s a visible season of transformation. And it sets the stage for a seamless transition into our Discovery Studio, where learners begin setting goals, engaging in real-world projects, and growing through Socratic dialogue. Together, Spark and Discovery offer a connected journey—from curiosity to courage, from confidence to purpose.

Two years ago we accepted the call to adventure to start Sage Academy because we believed in this model of learning—but also because we knew we wouldn’t be doing this alone. This network of courageous owners and guides, like Vijay Shah of The Humanist Academy, reminds us that we're part of something much bigger: a global movement grounded not in trends, but in timeless principles.

Vijay recently shared his reflections after attending his ninth Owners Conference. His words are worth reading, especially if you’ve ever wondered what it is we’re really building together:

"When you choose Acton, you are choosing grit over grades, callings over careers, critically thinking humans over machines, Heroes over victims... You are giving children a path towards fulfillment, a way to find a calling and change the world." —Vijay Shah, The Humanist Academy

You can read his blog post here.

This is why Sage exists. This is what we’re a part of. And we’re so grateful to have each of you on this journey with us.