The Patuxent School
An Acton Academy
Located in Bowie, MD
As of July 2023, The Patuxent School has permanently closed. To pursue a learner driven education for your child please reach out to nearby Actons;
Acton Academy Annapolis at the Maryland Curiosity Lab
Spartek Academy; an Acton Academy
Acton Academy Falls Church
Acton Academy Annapolis at the Maryland Curiosity Lab
Spartek Academy; an Acton Academy
Acton Academy Falls Church
School, as we know it, was designed in 1893
Our school was born different. The Patuxent School, An Acton Academy is one of the newest and most innovative (and downright coolest) educational programs in the world. Each Acton was founded by parents who believe there is a better way to educate their children and help other like-minded families in their community. We are learner-driven providing an innovative education to families in the Bowie, Maryland and surrounding areas.
What is The Patuxent School?
What exactly is the difference between The patuxent School and other schools?
- The Patuxent School encourages learners to develop personal virtues such as honesty, hard work, responsibility, kindness and empathy. We are an inclusive community and committed to antiracism.
- We are a learner driven community. What does learner driven mean? Children are empowered to do meaningful work and have fun as they explore their world around them. They focus on their learning rather than focusing on a test or class rank. We encourage learners to find their voices, take risks, share opinions, and develop a deep curiosity for learning.
- We believe the learning experience is much richer when the learners are not fed information. Our Guides offer insightful questions and facilitate hands-on learning. Guides use the Socratic method, always responding to learners' questions with new questions. This exchange hones learners' critical thinking skills. No boring sit in your desk teacher-led lecture-style learning at Acton! There are no lectures or teaching to a test, ever.
- The Patuxent School is “learner-driven.” This means young people take ownership of their education and peer relationships. Acton learners learn to think independently, take responsibility and embrace challenge. They are being prepared to bring their own unique genius to the world.
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We believe in the power of apprenticeships. Beginning with ages 11/12 , Acton learners obtain apprenticeships & internships in a field they are passionate about. Acton learners have interned with doctors, entrepreneur bakers, plumbers, attorneys and graphic designers. What will your child choose?
- The Patuxent School uses the latest technology in a self-paced learning design that works to foster responsibility, goal-setting, and teamwork. Families provide feedback via weekly online surveys to ensure our program serves the learners and meets our promises.
Need To Know MORE About What The Patuxent School Can Do For Your child?
At The Patuxent School, we call our rooms "Studios" because kids are learning through movement, exploration, and hands-on activities. Find out how our learning design can help your child reach their full potential.
Spark Studio
(Enrolling Now)
Ages 4-7
Discovery Studio
(Enrolling Now)
Ages 7-11
Adventure Studio
(Enrolling Now)
Ages 11-13
Launchpad Studio
(Coming 2025)
Ages 15-18
Watch This Short Award Winning Documentary About Acton Academy
Are you frustrated with the old, traditional educational model that teaches students to spit out facts and pass state-mandated tests?
Our promise to your child
We believe each of our learners will find a passion – something they love and have a gift to do – finding and pursuing this gift we call the Hero’s Journey. Our mission is to foster our learners to find the skills and tools they will need to find and pursue their life’s purpose.
- Embark on a Hero's Journey.
- Receive support and encouragement to be curious and questioning.
- Examine the realities of personal, economic, political and religious freedoms.
- Discover their most precious gifts and learn to use them to serve others.
- Gain appreciation of the arts, wonders of the world, and the pursuit of truth.
Our learners build small businesses from the ground-Up
Watch the video to learn about our business fair
The Patuxent School Business Fair
TBD Fall 2023
Bowie Baysox Stadium
See Why So Many Parents Just Like You
Choose Acton!
Our Team
Heather Hanko
Co-Founder & Guide, The Patuxent School
Heather Hanko began her Hero’s Journey in 2018 when she and her children embarked on their homeschool journey. Longing for an education experience that balanced work with play, Heather set out to explore nontraditional ways of educating her children. Two of the most important things that she’s learned about her children over the past four years is that 1) when given the space to create their natural gifts flourish 2) having consistent peer feedback is invaluable. Heather is committed to creating a joyful learning space that combines the benefits of homeschooling and community: customized learning plans, free time to create, and friends to learn and grow with.
Heather has a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling and is eager to use her skills in communication and conflict resolution to help Acton learners create a respectful and robust community. She enjoys yoga and surrounding herself with nature.
Ed Hanko
Co-Founder & Guide, The Patuxent School
Ed enjoys discovering the wonders of the world through his daughters’ eyes. Ed’s hero journey began when he first heard of Acton four years ago. Ed decided to found an Acton for his two daughters and for the Bowie community. His role as an owner & guide is to carry out the mission of Acton and empower the future heroes and leaders of his community. After a rigorous application process, Ed and Heather are among the less than 1% of applicants selected to open a new Acton. Ed’s successful career as the owner of a real estate investment company as well as his career in law enforcement made him an ideal Acton founder.
Ed is a lifelong learner. He thrives on new challenges and bringing creative solutions. He graduated with a degree from the University of Maryland. He’s an avid reader and enjoys the outdoors.
Here Are A Few FAQS:
No & Yes!
For the 2022-23 year we are a homeschool tutorial welcoming new families.
For the 2023-24 year we will be a school. We have been delivering a learner driven program for 2 years and are excited to grow into a school.
Our school operates on a 10- month calendar Sept thru June, but our flexible program allows families to travel together during the year, without sacrificing any opportunity. Our program does not have an attendance policy. Our calendar for 2022-2023 can be found HERE.
Our calender for 2023-2024 can be found HERE.
- Wish traditional school was more challenging and engaging.
- Enjoy doing projects around their interests in an environment of just a few dozen young people.
- Build, create, innovate, or make art.
- See things differently.
- Care about their future, want to find a calling, and want to change the world.
- Are kind, hardworking, and committed to doing their best and helping others become their best.
Our all-inclusive tuition for 2023-2024 is $12,680. There is a $375 per family registration fee.
There are ZERO extra fees (& no fundraising).
Limited need-based financial aid is available for qualified families. This fund is allotted for our upcoming year. We hope to offer more as our school grows.
We provide a 21st century learning environment using the latest in educational technology for self-paced mastery of reading, writing, elective courses, and math skills. Learners work according to their individual abilities. They choose to move on to the next level only after the content has been mastered, which ensures there are no learning gaps. Parents and learners make all choices and decide what core skills they may want to work on in the studio.
From glow-in-the-dark contemporary painting to making music with ukuleles, boomwackers, and paint buckets, our learners experience varied and unique art and music workshops.
Although we do not offer formal team sports, our schedule with no enforced at-home learning allows children to join league sports. Our Acton embraces a deep commitment to physical fitness and overall health awareness. Acton students explore a variety of physical activities that have ranged from soccer, golf, track, hiking, dance, and rock climbing. Our learners are very active, and we strongly support good sportsmanship and teamwork.
We believe that children become confident, independent learners, and good citizens when they embrace the following character qualities: integrity, resilience, self-reflection, and empathy to name a few. We believe in personal responsibility and high accountability standards. Acton learners are encouraged to take responsibility for their choices and actions. The studio promotes and supports inclusivity of all children. Character learning is woven into all parts of learning at Acton. Emotional Intelligence development is paramount.
1. Learn About Acton
This is education reimagined. Read Courage to Grow. Watch the videos. Determine if you feel we are a great fit for your child and family. Sign up for an info session.
2. Submit Your Application
Please complete our online application.
3. Interview
After we receive the completed application form, we’d love to meet your child & family. The interview is an excellent way for us to get to know your child and allow them to understand the experience of learning at The Patuxent School.
4. Membership Decision
We will convey a preliminary decision on membership as quickly as we can after the interview day. Membership will be confirmed upon receipt of the registration fee, and signed program documents. Ensuring a good fit between each learner and family with Acton is essential. The learner’s family support is a crucial aspect of their success at Acton. For that reason, membership remains subject to review of prior school records, and the discretion of The Patuxent School based on information obtained prior to the start of the year.
We expose children to the importance of mindful spirituality and discuss the historical importance of religion to the development of Western Civilization, we do not promote any one religion. We welcome all backgrounds and faiths.
Not at this time. However, we believe what you fuel your body with is vital to your success. We encourage healthy eating without any one modality. There are microwaves and a refrigerator.
We believe that learners learn best when working with children younger and older than themselves rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to individualized learning, all learners of various ages work together in groups.
Learners celebrate the mastery of tools, skills, and character by earning badges, assembling portfolios, and taking part in public exhibitions. Public exhibitions allow learners to present work to experts, customers, or the public for a real-world test. Parents use the online platform Journey Tracker and app to monitor progress in Core Skills like reading, writing, math, and character development. Electronic and hard copy Portfolios capture rough drafts, photos, videos, and other creative work.
Our promise is The Patuxent School experience will assist in helping learners be well prepared for any selective university where they can score high enough on a standardized test to gain admittance. Once your child gets over the test-taking barrier at the university of their choice, their portfolio and critical thinking skills will be a big boost during the application and interviewing process. Most importantly, learners are well prepared to shine in the real world, whether they choose to go to college full time, part time or not at all.
Our program for learners aged 15-18 will be offered in the future (2023). In the meantime, google ‘Acton Launchpad’ to learn more about Acton’s approach. By the time Acton learners arrive at Launchpad they are ready and capable of truly finding their calling.
Do you want your child to feel like life is an endless stream of opportunities?
Are you ready to learn more about The Patuxent School?
- Step 1. Learn about Acton and ask lots of questions.
- Step 2. Begin your family’s application.