The Forest School: An Acton Academy

One of the sweetest things we’ve seen in After School is what happens when older and younger learners share the same space.
The older learners begin to lead, help, explain, encourage, and model what it looks like to be part of a community.
The younger learners look up, join in, ask questions, try new things, and experience the joy of being known by more than just the adults in the room.
It feels like a village.
And that village community feel is part of The Forest School — even in After School.
Our After School program is more than extra time at the end of the day. It is another place where learners build relationships, practice responsibility, and experience the kind of mixed-age community that makes TFS special.
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, families are encouraged to complete registration by July 1 to avoid the late registration fee: [https://forms.gle/uavdNPzgNgMfn77K8]
Whether your learner joins us during the day, through Forest School Online, or as part of After School, we are preparing for a year full of connection, growth, and community.

Summer gives families a little breathing room.
Room to pause.
Room to reflect.
Room to ask, “What kind of school year does my learner really need?”
At The Forest School, learners are invited into a community where they grow in independence, curiosity, responsibility, and purpose — whether they join us in person or through Forest School Online.
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we’re inviting families to take the next step now.
Registration for After School is due by July 1 to avoid the late registration fee. Completing registration by the deadline helps us prepare well for each learner’s start.
If your family is dreaming about a school year with more ownership, meaning, and real-world learning, summer is a beautiful time to begin.
Register by July 1: [https://forms.gle/uavdNPzgNgMfn77K8]

Self-directed learning does not require a complete classroom reset. Some of the most effective changes begin through small adjustments.

10 practical moves you can make starting today:

Give learners choice. Step back sometimes. Allow flexibility. Make space for exploration. Connect learning to real life. Normalize experimenting. Let students set goals. Build through community. Focus on consistency, not perfection.

Here's what happens when you make these shifts:

Learners become more invested in their learning. They develop deeper thinking and creativity. They learn to collaborate and support each other. They see education as relevant to their lives.

You don't need a perfect classroom overnight.

Teachers who make thoughtful, consistent shifts over time build the strongest environments for student-led learning.

Start small. Build steadily. Watch what happens.

The way we structure a learner's day does more than organize time. It shapes habits, priorities, and the kind of learner they are becoming.

Schedules quietly teach learners what matters. What are learners really practicing all day?

Not just content. A schedule can train initiative, curiosity, reflection, and responsibility—or leave very little room for any of them.

Time is never just time.

Every block in a learner's day is a choice. It can create space for meaningful work or crowd out the habits we say we want students to build.

If students never get to practice self-direction, how will they learn to lead themselves?

Good schedules make room for more than instruction. Learners need time to set goals, solve problems, collaborate, work independently, and reflect on what's actually helping them grow.

Projects need space. So do curiosity and reflection.

A thoughtful day protects room for deeper learning, not just task completion.

Structure matters. But so does ownership.

Learners still need guidance. But they also need real chances to make choices, manage their time, and take responsibility for their learning.

Yes, standards matter. But schedules can do both.

Self-directed learning doesn't have to compete with academic expectations. A strong schedule can support standards while helping learners grow in initiative and confidence.

Time is sacred. So are schedules.

When schedules are built with care, learners get more than a plan for the day. They get daily practice in becoming thoughtful, capable, self-directed learners.

At The Forest School, we design schedules that don't just fill time—they build the habits learners will carry for life.

Spark end of the year fun!!!

Staff Highlight: Joan “Gigi” Thigpen ✨

Today we are celebrating Gigi, our beloved Reading Specialist at The Forest School. With decades of experience in teaching, literacy, curriculum design, and educational leadership, Gigi brings wisdom, encouragement, and deep care to every learner she supports.

Her impact reaches far beyond reading instruction. She helps heroes build confidence, discover the joy of literacy, and remember that growth is always possible. We are so grateful for Gigi’s steady presence, generous heart, and faithful service to our community. 💛