Evergreen Academy, part of the Acton Academy network, offers a learner-driven, self-paced education that breaks away from traditional school models. No bells, no lectures—students take ownership of their learning.

• Real-world projects and apprenticeships.
• Multi-age studios fostering collaboration.
• Socratic discussions instead of lectures.
• Mastery badges and portfolios instead of grades.
• Exhibitions of learning instead of tests.
• No homework or teaching to the test.
• Guides who mentor rather than teach.

Evergreen empowers students to thrive through independence, curiosity, and real-world skills.

Yes! We believe there is so much to be learned from exploring and playing in the natural world. Students enjoy flexible work times that allow for use of our outdoor classroom. They also get one hour of lunch and free time each day, regularly go on walks, and help tend to our vegetable garden, bees, and chickens.

We proudly offer K-12th grade education in a learner-driven environment. Evergreen Academy is accredited by both Cognia and IALDS Gold, ensuring high standards and excellence in education.

The Hero’s Journey is the idea that every person has a unique calling—a place where their deep passion meets a need in the world. Along this journey, we all face challenges that test our character and purpose. At Evergreen, we embrace this philosophy by helping each student discover their strengths, overcome obstacles, and develop the courage and integrity needed to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Yes, we are dually accredited through Cognia and the International Association of Learner Driven Schools (IALDS), earning their highest distinction of IALDS Gold. These accreditations reflect our commitment to excellence, innovation, and our mission to provide a world-class, learner-driven education for every student.

Where is Evergreen currently located? Evergreen Academy is now located in the Selah Community, nestled between the pastures and enclosures—home to alpacas, horses, Watusi cows, goats, and more—in a beautiful brand-new building that is the future home of the Selah Equestrian Center. We will be at this location for three years while working with Selah’s developers to build our permanent campus. The future campus will be near Selah’s farm, surrounded by a thicket of trees, with access to the community’s incredible amenities and partnerships.

Tuition prices are listed on our 'Apply' page

A learner-driven classroom is one where learners take ownership of their learning and community. At Evergreen Academy, learners help run the studio by creating a "Studio Contract" and "Rules of Engagement" that set expectations for behavior and how they treat one another. In our elementary studio, they receive appropriate guidance throughout this process. These agreements are displayed prominently, revisited regularly, and revised by the learners as they work through challenges and grow together.

Learners also manage their time, set daily goals, and choose their areas of focus, adjusting their plans based on their progress. We believe learners achieve more when they have control over their learning. This autonomy fosters a love of learning, greater accountability, and stronger academic growth.

At Evergreen, we believe in "learning to be" and "learning to do." This means empowering learners to take responsibility for their own behavior and hold themselves and others to high standards. When something isn’t working, we encourage learners to collaborate and solve the problem together, rather than waiting for an adult to step in.

This process builds independence, confidence, and critical thinking—skills your child will carry with them for life. In a learner-driven classroom, your child will grow into a leader who can navigate challenges, contribute to a team, and thrive in the real world.

Yes! Evergreen Academy has been honored with several awards and grants that reflect our commitment to innovative education. Most notably, we received the nationally recognized Yass Prize for Education Freedom Award, one of the most prestigious awards in education innovation. Evergreen was one of only eight schools in the state to receive this honor, which came with a $200,000 grant to support our mission.

Additionally, we have been awarded grants through VELA, WholeKids Foundation, Mastery Transcript Consortium, Lettuce Grow, Thunder Kids Reading Program, STEM initiatives, and The Bee Project. These grants have allowed us to enhance our learning environment in meaningful ways.

In 2025, we were awarded a STEM grant that enabled us to add LEGO Spike Essentials kits for coding, microscopes, and a 3D printer to enrich hands-on learning. We believe that grants and community partnerships are key to building a strong and vibrant learning community, and we are grateful for the opportunities they provide.

We believe a great education is built on continuous improvement and a blend of proven methods. While Evergreen Academy respects and incorporates Maria Montessori’s philosophy, we are not a Montessori school. Instead, we take the best of Montessori practices—such as mixed-age classrooms, student-directed meaningful work, large blocks of work time, discovery-based learning, and freedom of movement—and combine them with additional innovative approaches.

At Evergreen, we go beyond traditional Montessori by integrating project-based learning, the Socratic Method for deep discussions, and adaptive, mastery-based educational game software. Our Spark Studio (ages 5-7) focuses on Montessori principles with minimal use of technology, creating a hands-on, nurturing environment. Starting at age seven, learners transition through our bridge program into the Discovery Studio, where carefully integrated technology supports their learning journey and helps them master skills at their own pace.

This unique approach helps us foster independence, critical thinking, and a love for lifelong learning in every child.

The Selah community is a vibrant, master-planned neighborhood in Norman, Oklahoma, designed to foster a deep connection with nature, wellness, and community engagement. Selah features walking trails, open green spaces, sustainable living initiatives, and a variety of animals, including horses, pigs, alpacas, Watusi cattle, and more.

Evergreen Academy will be moving to Selah in February 2025. Our new location will provide a beautiful and enriching environment for our learners, with expanded opportunities for outdoor education, hands-on learning, and community involvement.

The benefits of moving to Selah include:

• Access to nature and outdoor learning experiences.
• Opportunities to incorporate agriculture, animal care, and sustainability into our curriculum.
• A serene and inspiring setting that enhances focus and creativity.
• Stronger community connections with businesses and families in Selah.

This move aligns with our vision of providing a dynamic, real-world learning environment that supports both academic and personal growth. We’re excited for this next chapter and the incredible opportunities it will bring to our learners!

Each day includes a mix of self-paced work on core skills, collaborative projects, Socratic discussions, and outdoor exploration. Learners set daily goals, track their progress, and participate in exhibitions of learning. Breaks, flexible seating, and opportunities for movement ensure learners stay engaged and energized throughout the day.

Children at Evergreen Academy are grouped into multi-age studios: Spark (ages 5-7), Discovery (ages 7-11), Navigation (Middle School), and Launchpad (High School). We believe learners thrive when working with peers of different ages rather than being separated strictly by grade level.

This approach minimizes negative peer comparisons, fosters a culture of celebrating strengths, and provides opportunities for growth individually and as part of the community. Learners work on individualized curricula while also collaborating across ages, preparing them for real-world environments where teamwork happens with people of various ages and stages.

We offer a full-time, five-day-a-week program that runs from mid-August to the end of May. Kindergarteners have the option of a Monday-Thursday or Monday-Friday schedule. Daily school hours are 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Our year is divided into 6-7 week "sessions" with one-week breaks in between. Between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, we have a mini three-week session followed by a two-week holiday break. This flexible schedule allows families to travel together during the year without sacrificing learning.

You can view our current academic calendar under the Events tab on our website!

"To find a calling is to find the intersection between our own deep gladness and the world's deep hunger." ~ Frederick Buechner

We believe each of our learners has the capacity to find a passion—something they love and have a gift to do. They will use this gift to serve others and fulfill a need they are passionate about in the world.

We do not have one definition of success but rather help learners develop the skills to thrive in life, cultivate strong character, and gain the tools and desire to make a positive impact in the world.

Do learners graduate with a high school diploma, and what sets Evergreen's high school program apart?

Yes! While our approach to measuring learning is innovative and unconventional, learners graduate with a traditional high school diploma. Acton graduates worldwide have been accepted into world-class colleges or have launched their own successful businesses.

What sets Evergreen's high school program apart is our Next Great Adventure Program, which helps learners define their calling and create a plan for life after high school. Through apprenticeships and a series of real-world projects, learners explore career paths, develop essential life skills, and gain hands-on experience. By the time they graduate, they have a clear purpose, strong character, and a well-defined path for their future—whether that means college, entrepreneurship, or another exciting adventure!

Evergreen learners do not have assigned homework, as we prioritize meaningful work during school hours. However, learners complete at-home Journey Meetings during each break, which take about 30 minutes and help parents stay engaged in their child’s learning journey. Some learners also choose to complete unfinished work at home to stay on track with their personal goals.

The only standardized test we offer is the IOWA Test, which is available each spring for learners in 2nd grade and up. While we don’t place much stock in standardized tests, the IOWA Test helps us identify overall trends and patterns within the school. On average, Evergreen learners test two or more grade levels above their current level. All other assessments are done individually when the learner feels ready, focusing on mastery rather than rigid testing schedules. Our goal is to ensure academic growth through meaningful, self-paced learning rather than teaching to the test.

Exhibitions at Evergreen Academy are a key part of our learner-driven model. Instead of traditional tests or report cards, learners showcase their knowledge and skills through public presentations of their work. These events happen at the end of each session and allow learners to demonstrate their growth, reflect on their progress, and take ownership of their learning.

Exhibitions may include project presentations, performances, debates, demonstrations, or interactive displays—all designed to challenge learners to apply their skills in a real-world context. Families and community members are invited to attend, making these events a meaningful celebration of effort, creativity, and mastery.

By preparing for and leading their own Exhibitions, learners build confidence, communication skills, and a deep sense of accountability, preparing them for success in both education and life.

At Evergreen, we prioritize learning in community and through hands-on experiences. Technology is thoughtfully integrated to enhance, not replace, the deep, project-based learning that defines our school.

Starting around age eight, learners begin using high-quality online programs for core skill development, equipping them to engage more fully in hands-on projects. In our 5-7 year old learning environment, technology use is minimal to encourage curiosity, creativity, and real-world exploration.

Learners set and track individualized learning goals with their squads and guides, ensuring technology remains a tool for growth rather than distraction. A student-created Internet Use Policy helps maintain responsible digital engagement, and cell phones must remain silent in bags during school hours.

If you have any questions about meaningful tech use at Evergreen, we’d love to chat!

Running Partners and Squads are essential components of our learner-driven environment at Evergreen Academy. They are small groups of classmates who meet regularly to set goals, reflect on progress, and hold each other accountable.

Running Partners work one-on-one, encouraging and inspiring each other by asking thoughtful questions, actively listening, and offering affirmation. Squads function as a broader support system, fostering teamwork, responsibility, and personal growth. These peer relationships help learners develop self-discipline, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community.

As part of our application process, we ask parents to read Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer. This short 3.5-hour read (or listen) is essential because joining an Acton learner-driven school is a completely different experience from traditional education.

Understanding the "why" behind this transformative model requires a shift in mindset—unlearning old assumptions and re-learning what it means for your child to take ownership of their education. Parents who read the book gain deeper insight into our approach and are more fully invested in their journey with Evergreen Academy.

A Kindle version of Courage to Grow is available on Amazon for just $0.99, or we would be happy to gift you a copy when you come for a tour after your Discovery Call.

Evergreen Academy is not specifically trained or equipped to serve children with significant learning disabilities. However, we have successfully supported learners with dyslexia who receive additional specialized training outside of school. Each child is unique, and we take a case-by-case approach to determine if our environment is the right fit for their needs.

Our flexible and choice-based learning model can be a wonderful fit for children who thrive with movement, flexible seating, and self-regulation opportunities. Many learners who struggle in traditional school environments flourish in our classrooms. That said, we have found that the peer accountability and decision-making in a choice-based model can sometimes be stressful for learners on the Autism spectrum or those with high needs.

For learners with learning disabilities or high needs, outside tutoring or services are often necessary for success in school. Parents may also need to be more involved to provide additional support at home. This might include assisting with homework or helping learners stay caught up when a slower work process is involved.

We welcome conversations with families to explore whether Evergreen is the right fit for their child and are happy to discuss options during the application process.

At Evergreen Academy, we are deeply committed to providing a high-quality learning environment by fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. A key part of this commitment is our regular Customer Satisfaction Surveys, where we ask families to rate us on a scale of 1-10 based on how well we deliver on our promises.

These surveys are more than just feedback—they are a vital tool for measuring the success of our learning community. We openly share the results with our families, using them to celebrate what’s working and identify areas for growth. By prioritizing open communication and collaboration, we ensure that Evergreen continues to serve our learners and families with excellence.

We focus on equipping learners with the skills they need to succeed in any path they choose—college, career, or entrepreneurship. Through mastery-based learning, goal setting, and personalized portfolios, learners demonstrate their skills and accomplishments. Our high schoolers also participate in apprenticeships and create résumés and college applications that showcase their unique strengths.

Social-emotional growth is integrated into everything we do. Learners practice accountability, collaboration, and problem-solving through Running Partners, Squads, and Studio Contracts. When conflicts arise, we guide learners through peer-led resolution processes to develop empathy, communication, and leadership skills in a supportive environment.

Yes! Evergreen Academy is approved to accept the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit. This incredible program allows eligible families to receive between $5,000 and $7,500 through the state tax commission to help make private education more accessible.

To apply, your child must first be enrolled at Evergreen Academy to receive an enrollment verification number from the Oklahoma Tax Commission. This number is required to complete your application. The application window for 2025 opens on February 18, and funds are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s important to act quickly.

Book a call with us or attend an upcoming Info Night to learn more about the enrollment process, application deadlines, and how this tax credit can help make an Evergreen education possible for your family.