About Us – Acton Academy Knoxville

Acton Academy Knoxville

Fall of 2026 is our founding year and we will grow slowly to ensure a strong foundation. With this as our goal, we will open with a Sparks studio–a group of learners from ages 4-8. Our purpose is to inspire curiosity, learn friendship, and promote self-governance. We are dedicated to fostering a love of learning so our heroes are equipped to discover their interests and eventually direct their own learning.

Our Sparks Studio is best imagined as a garden where learners embrace Montessori-type work and Spark Play to learn real-life skills and develop the independence, focus, and kindness needed to enter an Acton Elementary Studio.

Spark learners:

Grow curiosity through hands-on projects and outdoor adventure.
Have fun exploring mindfulness, natural interests, art and music.
Build foundations of independent learning, reading, writing, communication, and math.

The Spark Studio

Preschool & Kindergarten

For ages 3-7

Example

A Day in Spark

Empowering Environment:

The Spark Studio offers a welcoming space where young learners navigate independently and let their curiosity lead the way.

Morning Work Cycle:

Learners explore Montessori activities with a “freedom within boundaries” approach, tackling a variety of challenges at their own pace.

Afternoon Spark Play:

Focused on outdoor exploration, promoting creativity through unstructured play with loose parts.

Adventures in Nature:

Time with pet chickens, rabbits and goats. Exploring the natural world helps children connect with their environment.

Our Team

Erica Hatch – Head of School

Erica has spent fifteen years in public education teaching English and working as an assistant principal. In each capacity, Erica worked to offer students’ choices and find ways to allow students to take ownership of their education. Finding Acton has allowed her to fulfill this dream just in time for her two grandsons to have the type of education she wished her own five children could have had. Founders’ Vision: The dream was to create a different kind of school where kids take charge of their learning, focusing on real-world challenges, passion projects, and the 4 Cs (Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking).

Leah Root – Spark Guide