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Acton Academy of Bergen County, founded in August 2019, is redefining education with its innovative approach and affordable tuition.
AABC is a learner-driven community where every young person who enters our doors is given the opportunity to find a calling that will change the world.
At AABC, the learners take charge of their Hero's Journey by working at their own pace, forging their own path, and pursuing their passions.
AABC offers four dynamic Studios: Sparks (ages 5-8), Discovery (ages 8-11), Journey (ages 11-14), and LaunchPad (ages 14-18).
After school, learners can explore a variety of clubs, from learner-led groups to sessions with seasoned professionals.
Club or Organization: Capoeira, Chess Club, Children's Business Fair, Culinary Creations, Dance and Movement, Doll House Furniture Building, Drawing and Painting Nature, Dungeons and Dragons Kids, Dungeons and Dragons Youth, Hair Braiding, Home Lab Adventure, Learner Led Clubs, Sewing Club, Soccer, Young Fashion Designers
School Notes
School Motto: Every young person who enters our doors is a genius who deserves to find their calling and change the world.
School Mascot: Falcon
Founded in August 2019 by Michal Leshem and Shira Cohen, Acton
Academy of Bergen County (AABC) was created from the belief that
the traditional education model no longer meets the needs of
today's world. AABC offers a bold alternative-one designed to
empower young people to take ownership of their learning and
develop the mindset and skills needed to solve real-world
problems.
AABC is a learner-led community where learners set their own
goals and drive their daily learning. They enjoy meaningful,
age-appropriate freedoms while still engaging in key shared
experiences that foster accountability, collaboration, and a sense
of purpose.
Each day begins with a Morning Circle, where learners
participate in Socratic discussions, explore ethical dilemmas, and
engage in studio governance. These moments are foundational to
building a culture of reflection, responsibility, and critical
thinking.
The school year is divided into six sessions, each lasting 6-7
weeks. At the end of every session, learners host a public
Exhibition to showcase their work, ranging from persuasive
speeches, research projects, and foreign language dialogues to
original podcasts, art, and entrepreneurial ventures. These
exhibitions are entirely learner-led, from planning to
execution.
Throughout the year, AABC learners participate in a wide
variety of real-world, hands-on programs, including: Indoor
gardening, Computer coding and robotics, Creative writing and
philosophy, Community service and servant leadership, History
through storytelling and Socratic dialogue,
Entrepreneurialism-including the annual Children's Business Fair,
where each learner launches and runs a fully functioning business.
Learners at AABC are already making a mark.
They've earned Honorable Mention in the NPR Student Podcast
Challenge, led service initiatives across the community, and
traveled to Guatemala City and California to collaborate with
learners at sister Acton Academies.
At AABC, education isn't something done to young people-it's
something they own. And through that ownership, they become
confident, curious, purpose-driven individuals ready to lead and
make an impact.
As a parent, finding the "right" school felt like an impossible task—until we discovered Acton Academy of Bergen County. I can't say this strongly enough: AABC has transformed the way my child learns and how he sees himself. At his previous school, he was disengaged, anxious, and constantly being told what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. At AABC, he is finally in the driver's seat of his own learning—and he LOVES it. What makes AABC different is hard to put into words unless you experience it firsthand. It's not just that there are no tests or homework—it's that every single part of the day is purposeful. The learners aren't just memorizing facts—they're solving real-world problems, setting personal goals, working in teams, and reflecting on who they want to become. There's an incredible sense of community, too. The mixed-age studios allow my child to learn from older peers and mentor younger ones. The growth I've seen in his confidence, communication skills, and self-motivation has been amazing. If you're wondering whether traditional school is truly preparing your child for life, consider visiting AABC. It's not just an alternative—it's a whole new way of thinking about education. And for our family, it's been a life-changing one.
- Posted by Parent - Happy parent!
5
We have been part of Acton Academy of Bergen County for four years now. My daughter is so happy, but most of all, thriving. AABC is truly a one-of-a-kind magical place. It is not just a school. It's a space where children can flourish, grow, evolve, express themselves and thrive. The word 'school' doesn't do it justice, as it's so much more than that. I highly recommend AABC and feel incredibly grateful to Michal and the team. Thank you!
- Posted by Parent - Lauren
5
My name is Ella. I am 8 years old and study at Acton. I really enjoy the school because we have a lot of free time, and we don't have to sit in boring chairs for the whole school day. The learning is really interesting because we can learn about whatever we want.
- Posted by Student/Alumni - Ella
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The average private school tuition in Bergen County, NJ is $16,435 for elementary schools and $18,595 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
