Testimonials

From Parents:

“The children are receiving a thorough grounding in the academic basics, without any stress or pressure.  They are surrounded by outstanding role models (both teachers and upper school students), who encourage them to aspire to academic, physical, moral and emotional maturity.  They also benefit hugely, from having a childhood uncorrupted by TV and electronic media.”

“Today I can joyfully say that I recognise and know my son again.  He is happy and thriving, and enjoys school.  He sings around the house for no particular reason.  He loves life and his spirit is free and soaring once more.  I cannot thank you and all your staff enough, for the incredibly wonderful way you have embraced my son into your midst, and seen with more than just your eyes, the beauty of his soul.  I am so grateful that our path has led us to your door.”

“Thanks for the love and dedication with which you hold our children and young adults.”

“The school is a wonderful place for my children - something we all value deeply.”

“The school provides my children with an education that is timeless.  Their daily activity is archetypal and rhythmic.  They have a strong sense of belonging to a community within which they will grow and learn.  Looking at the older students, my children see superb role models who treat them with kindness and concern.  The result is a completely natural desire to learn that comes from within the child and not from any external pressure.  The warmth and care provided by the community does not mean, however, that life at the The Acorn School is soft and ‘wishy-washy’.  From the Kindergarten onwards, there are clear boundaries about behaviour and, as the curriculum unfolds, high standards of personal effort.  The staff are masters of their topics, as well as passionate advocates, keeping up to date with current practice and thinking.  Most importantly, everything is held within a container of mutual respect.”

“I feel that the school is the most beautiful gift to my child (and us as a family) that I could ever ask for, and I have not yet been to a single event without tears in my eyes!”

From Students:

“Graeme, I just wanted to thank you for another amazing winter camp!  If I could describe what these camps and trips mean to me, I would be the most inspirational writer the world has ever seen, but words simply cannot describe the feelings of freedom, happiness, contentment, joy, warmth, love and laughter that I experience first hand on camp.  Within this group of wonderful individuals, bonds are created and treasured.  This is the most uniquely different school in the entire universe, and I love the school so much, you have no idea!  Thank you so much. ”

From Alumni:

“My education was exceptional!  It was imaginative, informative, exciting, motivating, and I enjoyed every second of it!  If I could have stayed on longer, or joined earlier in my life, I would have.  If you are still there when I have children, I want them to go to The Acorn School too!”

“My education could not have been any better in any way.  It was perfectly balanced and taught me invaluable lessons that I will carry with me throughout my life.  Every one of the teachers is first class, both in their understanding of the subjects they are teaching, and as role models for students to follow.  After 12 years at The Acorn School, I felt that I could go out into the world and do whatever I wanted to.  I had the confidence and knowledge to pursue whatever path I chose.  I left Acorn as a well-rounded human being, who is confident and open-minded.”

“The education that I received at Acorn was diverse as well as encouraging the creativity of each individual.  I felt very supported as a student there, and my experience left me with the best possible memories, and the courage to take steps into the unknown.”

“I feel that The Acorn School has set me up for life, and feel that it is an incredible school, just the way it is!!”

“My experience at Acorn has made me into a far more confident, self-aware and thoughtful individual than I might otherwise have been, had I gone to another school.  Academically, I found it both invigorating and inspiring, with the large range of main lessons giving me the opportunity to learn all sorts of things, and develop an interest in subjects that I am sure have contributed to my development both as a scholar and as a human being.”

“The best thing that I have gained from my Acorn education, is my ability to be aware of others in such a way as to let me practice the difficult arts of compassion and empathy.  Being in a small community such as Acorn has allowed me to see everyone as friends and family, and given me the motivation to try and treat all people with the same respect and admiration.  That, to me, is far greater a result of a good education, than the ability to achieve academic wonders.  There is little point in being able to solve incredible mathematical problems or write phenomenal pieces of literature if one doesn’t understand human nature.  Acorn has given me the opportunity to recognise the balance that is needed between the mind, body and spirit.”

“The constant support and encouragement of the teachers, has allowed me to pursue interests ranging from literature to politics to science, and I feel that the only limit that I will ever encounter, is that which I put down upon myself.”

“The Acorn School is less an education in my mind, and more of a movement. It guides young people towards their future with a greater understanding of their potential, armed with the principles and knowledge which are essential to growing up into one’s own person, with one’s own views and beliefs. Acorn taught me that anything I set my mind to, can be achieved with hard work, motivation and conviction, and that living with strong principles in this life, is all that we have to define ourselves in this system of uselessness which surrounds us all in this day and age, where the world seems unsure of itself and of its’ people. What we need are more people who think out of the box and for themselves, people who will raise their children well, people who will work hard to get to where they aim to be in life, and people who care; world changers and those who are truly wise, for a person with no knowledge or understanding of life and of themselves, does not have the courage or the self-confidence needed to truly shine.”

“The Acorn School is a place of realness! Every subject is taught by a leader in their field, with passion and excitement. The students are led by example, and taught to respect others and to respect the world around them. They are not spoken at and expected to remember facts, like some sort of personal computer. They are taught to do things with their own hands, to draw and to paint, to learn how the human body works, to jump into a freezing river at the crack of dawn, how to build a fire with which to warm yourself and how to cook the food they need to survive. They are encouraged to talk about why we are here, what our purpose is, and what can we do to better ourselves. Acorn is a place of honesty and is true to everything it stands for. The only major flaw with this movement is that the whole world cannot be a part of it, for what the world needs are many many more leaders and fewer followers, and this Chapel of Learning is where leaders are born and followers find the leader inside themselves.”

“I left Acorn two and a half years ago and I graduate from my university degree this summer. Acorn has not impinged on my ability to progress throughout my university course and I believe it enhanced my confidence to move away from my roots and enter into adult education without reservations.”