Our Mission
OUR BELIEFS
- We believe each child has a gift that can change the world in a profound way.
- We believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.
- We believe our learning environment is a closely connected community of lifelong learners.
- We believe in a society in which people live a life of meaning according to their deepest beliefs and who take responsibility for their actions.
OUR PROMISES TO YOUR CHILD
You will:
- Develop a Hero's Journey.
- Enhance your curiosity and love of learning.
- Discover your unique gifts along with the dedication it takes to develop excellence.
- Understand the importance of a strong character.
- Experience the arts, the wonders of the physical world, and explore the mysteries of life.
- Celebrate economic, political, cultural and religious freedom.
Our Philosophy of Learning
A Reflection of Curaçao
- Our aim is to embody, encourage and promote the spirit of Curaçao into the Acton Academy framework.
- We are a bilingual environment with English as our primary language and Dutch has a strong secondary language.
- Our projects, quests and adventures focus on Curaçao's culture, history, geography, and more.
- Our 12 year old + learners will enjoy apprenticeships with local businesses.
The Role of the Guides
- Propose and setup challenges, quests and projects.
- Facilitate the twice-daily Socratic discussion.
- Help learners set boundaries and studio contracts amongst their tribe, and
- Support learners find their calling through their own hero’s journey.
Tracey Howard, Lead Guide
- Tracey is an internationally certified coach and socratic facilitator.
- Since 2016 she has coached hundreds of high-growth entrepreneurs and executives from over 35 countries to reach their goals and live life on their terms.
- She has designed and led 100+ trainings in conflict resolution and personal growth and performance in Europe, the Middle East, North America and the Caribbean.
- Tracey is a mom to two boys and is the Co-Owner and Head of School at Acton Academy Curaçao.
Shira de Koning, Spark Guide
- With a background in nature education, Shira was a manager at a nature center for Staatsbosbeheer in the Netherlands, where she created engaging, seasonal activity programs for children, organized nature-inspired birthday parties, and led outdoor educational adventures. Everything she did centered around connection — to nature, to each other, and to joyfully learning by doing.
About The Co-Owners
Tracey & Chris Howard
Hello, we are Tracey and Chris Howard! We are the co-owners of the Acton Academy Curaçao location established in 2024. In the last few years, we've been on a Hero's journey that has brought us here.
Tracey is an American and a private coach and facilitator for entrepreneurs and executives. Chris is English-German and a strategy consultant in the education sector and day trader.
We are parents to two boys, Liam (2019) and Henry (2020). In 2020/21, we moved from London to Germany and then to Curaçao. After two years, we decided to call Curaçao home.
We knew we weren't going to send our boys to a traditional school. When we discovered the Acton Academy learner-driven model in 2022, we knew it was exactly the educational pathway we wanted for our children.
Since an Acton Academy didn't yet exist in Curaçao - we felt called to open one ourselves. We are doing this for all families who believe every child is a genius who deserves to find a calling that will change the world. Thanks for exploring us!