At The Forest School, children are trusted and empowered to be responsible for their own learning, and to use their learning to change the world.
Our learner-driven community puts children at the center of their learning, allowing them to create and maintain personal goals, relational covenants, and real world meaningful work.
Every student is empowered to flourish in both mind and character as they come to know their identity and place in the world.
Learners at The Forest School learn together in mixed-age classrooms, bringing the classic one-room schoolhouse into the modern age.
Kids learn to mentor and be mentored by one another.
Guides-our term for teachers-are not lecturers, but facilitators of student growth.
Learners and parents track learner growth on an online dashboard updated daily.
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative School
- Grades: Prekindergarten-12
- Enrollment: 164 students
- Yearly Tuition: $12,900
- Application Deadline: None / Rolling
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
School Type
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
Religious Affiliation
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-12
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Learning Difference Programs
Yes
Year Founded
2018
Student Body
Total Students
164 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
50%
State avg.: 27%
Students by Grade
Academics and Faculty
Total Classroom Teachers
12 teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
14:1
National avg.:
Number of AP Courses
12 courses
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
Admission Deadline
None / Rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$12,900
Tuition Notes
Tuition for 2024-2025
$12,900/yr for learners in our Spark, Elementary, Middle, and High School Studios at The Forest School. $11,805/yr for learners in our Studios at The Forest School Online. $7,500/yr for 3-year old and 4-year old Spark learners who attend half day.
Sports
Total Sports Offered
2 sports
Sports
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
1 extracurricular
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
NHS
NHS
School Notes
Our Approach
Design principles:
The following will shape every experience at The Forest School:
He or she will...
1. We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.
2. We believe in a closely connected family of lifelong learners.
3. We believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.
4. We believe in economic, political, and religious freedom.
Our Methods of Learning:
SOCRATIC GUIDING
Socratic Discussions and self-paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.
HANDS-ON + QUEST-BASED LEARNING
Hands-on Quests for the arts, entrepreneurship, and science prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.
E-LEARNING
Educational technology used in a purposeful, meaningful way allows students to learn at their own level and pace.
STUDENT-DRIVEN LEARNING
A democratic environment of empowered learners, children have choice and voice in the learning process.
What sets us apart:
1. We have Socratic Guides not teachers
2. We have mixed-age Studios not classrooms
3.We have Portfolios + Exhibitions not grades
4.We have Contracts and Covenants not rules
5.We ask questions not lecture
6. No homework!
7. Hands-on + E-learning
8. Students learn at their own pace
9. Travel is encouraged
10.Apprenticeships begin in middle school
- Guide each child to flourish.
- Enable young learners to safely explore and understand the world around them and how they can make it better.
Design principles:
The following will shape every experience at The Forest School:
- Inspiring to all participants
- Deeply personalized and self-directed learning
- Enthusiastically diverse and relationship-centered environments
- Unambiguously rigorous, relevant, and mastery-based work products
He or she will...
- Begin a Hero's Journey.
- Learn to be curious, become an independent learner, and love lifelong learning.
- Discover his or her most precious gifts, along with the dedication it takes to develop real talent.
- Understand the importance of strong character.
- Cherish the arts, wonders of the physical world, & the mystery of life.
- Treasure economic, political, & religious freedom.
1. We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.
2. We believe in a closely connected family of lifelong learners.
3. We believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.
4. We believe in economic, political, and religious freedom.
Our Methods of Learning:
SOCRATIC GUIDING
Socratic Discussions and self-paced challenges equip children to be independent lifelong learners.
HANDS-ON + QUEST-BASED LEARNING
Hands-on Quests for the arts, entrepreneurship, and science prepare children for Apprenticeships and real world challenges.
E-LEARNING
Educational technology used in a purposeful, meaningful way allows students to learn at their own level and pace.
STUDENT-DRIVEN LEARNING
A democratic environment of empowered learners, children have choice and voice in the learning process.
What sets us apart:
1. We have Socratic Guides not teachers
2. We have mixed-age Studios not classrooms
3.We have Portfolios + Exhibitions not grades
4.We have Contracts and Covenants not rules
5.We ask questions not lecture
6. No homework!
7. Hands-on + E-learning
8. Students learn at their own pace
9. Travel is encouraged
10.Apprenticeships begin in middle school
Source: Verified school update
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does The Forest School: An Acton Academy cost?
The Forest School: An Acton Academy's tuition is approximately $12,900 for private students.
What sports does The Forest School: An Acton Academy offer?
The Forest School: An Acton Academy offers 2 interscholastic sports: Basketball and Volleyball.
When is the application deadline for The Forest School: An Acton Academy?
The application deadline for The Forest School: An Acton Academy is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
School Reviews
5 12/20/2024
The Forest School has been the best decision we could have made for our youngest in high school. She came from a strict and structured religious middle school and needed something a little less anxiety-inducing. With TFS, she has learned valuable time management, learns what she wants at her own pace (she is took two sciences at once one semester!) and has room in her schedule after school to explore activities that she enjoys. Plus, Trilith is an amazing place to just go out after school and get some coffee and snacks if you are a teenager waiting for a ride home. We have enjoyed TFS so much and are so happy with the progress of growing and learning that our daughter has made!
5 8/31/2024
"Being a part of the Forest school community has been life-changing for our family. It has allowed us the opportunity to be a part of a trailblazing educational experience that will leave a positive mark for future generations."
5 8/31/2024
We highly recommend the Forest School. This is our 4th year with the school and we love it. The guides and team genuinely care about my 2 kids there. They have sparked a love for learning that we are so grateful for.
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