A Non-Profit, Learner-Centred Elementary & Middle School
Discover Our Unique Approach to Education
At Acton Academy Calgary West (AACW) we believe that learning to be, learning to learn, and learning to do are more important than memorization alone.
As an IALDS accredited, non-profit elementary & middle school in Calgary, we meet and exceed Alberta curriculum standards—empowering students to think critically, take ownership of their learning, develop agency, and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways.
If you're ready for your child to embark on a journey fuelled by curiosity, self-awareness, agency, and growth, we warmly invite you to join us.
Join Our Community
At AACW, we believe that education is a collaborative effort between students, teachers, and parents. We welcome families to join our community and get involved in their child's education. Attend our next PTA meeting to learn more about how you can support our school!
What makes us different
Independence
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Our environment creates a strong sense of self. Heroes have the freedom to set goals that challenge them as individuals in both academics and passion projects. They have the ability to work in any way that enables them to be the most productive toward their goals. Each and every person is treated as an individual, on their own unique journey.
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking
It is not our job to teach young heroes WHAT to think, but rather HOW to think for themselves.By utilizing the Socratic method, Heroes are challenged to listen to and question different ideas big and small, hear from people of a different position, investigate the ideas further and formulate their own intelligent conclusions.
Growth Mindset
Critical Thinking
Growth Mindset
Our Heroes strive for greatness and they’re hungry to improve in any way that they can physically, emotionally, academically, etc. We harbour a culture where we believe everyone is capable of achieving all of their goals. With such a strong community of support, commitment, discipline, and hard work, these qualities become things our young heroes are proud to take on.
Self-Awareness
Entrepreneur Mindset
Growth Mindset
Every individual is a genius. But what kind of genius- that’s what we help them discover. Heroes have more opportunities here than anywhere else to discover what they’re good at, what they’re passionate about, how they can develop, and how they can use those specialties to their advantage.
Entrepreneur Mindset
Entrepreneur Mindset
Entrepreneur Mindset
An entrepreneur knows what they want out of life and they’re not afraid to go out and get it. Students learn how to think like an entrepreneur by building their small businesses and seeing first-hand the true benefits of value creation. This enables them to be well-equipped for the workforce or even establish a true business of their own.
Explore Our Studios
Spark
Threshold
Threshold
The Call to Adventure comes knocking on the young hero’s door, and their interest is sparked to life. Here, the hero’s love of learning is nurtured and inspired, exploring their days with a strong sense of independence and taking in the value of what it means
to be kind.
Spark studio is typically tailored to ages 5 to 7 years.
Threshold
Threshold
Threshold
The hero accepts their journey and crosses the threshold from the ordinary world into the special world. The pursuit of growth becomes tangible with challenging yet attainable goals. Heroes will begin to come into their own, stretching their abilities, learning to lead, communicate and collaborate with others, and building the relationships they’ll need on their journey.
Threshold studio is typically tailored to ages 7+ to 10 years.
Discovery
LaunchPad (Coming 2028/29)
LaunchPad (Coming 2028/29)
The hero begins to uncover the skill sets and qualities that set them apart. All that they have learned so far- the experiential joy of learning, the value of kindness, communication, setting and achieving goals- all of it combines to challenge our hero to the next level in their journey: Not just getting the job done, but getting it done in excellence.
Discovery studio is typically tailored to ages 10 - 13+ years.
LaunchPad (Coming 2028/29)
LaunchPad (Coming 2028/29)
LaunchPad (Coming 2028/29)
Our hero has faced many challenges up to this point and has come out on the other side. Now comes one of their biggest challenges yet: high school.
As the hero prepares for the end of their journey and the beginning of the next one- whatever that may be- their final and most imperative quest ensues: Finding a calling that will change the world.
Launchpad is typically tailored to ages 14 - 18 years.
Meet Our Team
Crystal Fernando
Co-founder / Advisory Board, Acton Academy Calgary West
Founder/CEO - WhatBox Partners
Karina Bosse
Academic Advisor / Guide, Acton Academy Calgary West
Suzanna Dreifelds
Social & Emotional Learning Lead / Guide, Acton Academy Calgary West
Linnea Berglund
Accounts Receivable / TUIO Financial Admin, Acton Academy Calgary West
Angelo Fernando
Co-founder / Operations Lead / Guide, Acton Academy Calgary West
COO - WhatBox Partners
Our Global Advisory Board
Dr. Evian Gordon
MD/PhD - Neuroscience
Founder - Total Brain, world's First Standardized Integrative Brain and Behavior Database, which has over a million datasets, 5 Billion data points.
Victor Pereira Jr.
Faculty Co-Chair, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Lecturer on Education / Teacher and Teacher Leadership (TTL)