What If School Felt Like an Adventure?
Imagine a school where your child is seen, challenged, and deeply known. Where learning is an adventure, not a chore — and every day is filled with purpose, curiosity, and discovery.
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At Acton Academy Santa Barbara, we believe every child is a hero — capable of extraordinary growth when given the freedom to lead their own learning journey.
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Founded by Max Peck — a Marine veteran, devoted father, and education reformer — our school was built on one simple belief: that children are far more capable than we’ve been led to believe.
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Here, learners don’t sit in rows memorizing facts for the next test. They collaborate, explore, build, fail, try again, and grow stronger with every challenge.
Through Socratic discussions, real-world projects, and hands-on problem-solving, they learn how to think — not what to think.
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This is education that’s personal, meaningful, and alive.
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More than just a school, Acton Santa Barbara is a community of families who believe childhood is sacred, learning should be joyful, and education should prepare kids for life — not just college.
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Because your child deserves more than busywork. They deserve to discover who they are and what they’re capable of.
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They won’t just study history.
They’ll step into it — as the hero of their own story.
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Come see what school should be.
Meet the Founder
Max Peck | Founder, Acton Academy Santa Barbara
Father. Husband. Educational Reformer.
After five years serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Max Peck returned home with a deep sense of purpose — but also growing concern for the world his children would inherit.
Traditional schools, overwhelmed and outdated, weren’t preparing kids to lead lives of meaning or impact. Max knew there had to be a better way — one that honored each child’s unique gifts and natural hunger to learn.
That’s when he discovered Acton Academy.
Drawn to its bold mission, learner-driven model, and emphasis on the Hero’s Journey, Max left his lucrative corporate career to launch Acton Academy Santa Barbara — a school where kids are free to explore, fail, try again, and ultimately grow into curious, courageous leaders.
As a father of two, Max built this school not just for his children — but for yours.
Do you believe your child has a calling?
Let’s talk.