For homeschooling — and beyond
A structured alternative to homeschooling in Riga
Many families consider homeschooling because they want freedom, an individual pace and meaningful learning for their child, without the pressure of grades. Acton Academy Riga offers that same freedom — plus a community, guides and real projects.
What is homeschooling and ‘unschooling’?
Homeschooling (or family education) means a child learns the curriculum at home, under the family’s guidance, rather than in person at school. In Latvia it is currently still permitted at the first stage of basic education (up to grade 6), and the child remains registered with a school that monitors their learning.
‘Unschooling’ (sometimes called free or child-led learning) is a form of homeschooling in which learning happens through a child’s natural curiosity and interests, rather than a fixed timetable. The basic idea: a child is born to learn, and the adult’s task is to create the environment, not to push.
Acton Academy Riga is neither of these — but there is much good to take from both ideas.
Why families choose homeschooling
- Freedom and an individual pace — the child learns when ready, and goes deep into what fascinates them.
- Meaningful learning — less rote memorising, more real life and real interests.
- No pressure from grades or comparison — protecting the child’s curiosity and self-worth.
- Family values and rhythm — learning that fits with what the family believes in.
These are good aims. The question usually isn’t whether to pursue them, but how to sustain them over the long term.
Where homeschooling tends to get hard
Many families who start homeschooling run into a few practical difficulties:
- •The parent becomes the teacher — that takes time, knowledge and energy every day.
- •The child misses a daily community — friends, teamwork, collaboration and healthy competition.
- •It’s hard to provide structure and consistency, especially when both parents work.
- •The isolation and workload fall on one family.
That doesn’t mean homeschooling is bad — for many families it works brilliantly. But if these challenges feel familiar, there is a middle way.
How Acton Academy Riga combines the freedom of homeschooling with the support of a school
Community and friends — the child learns alongside others, in a mixed-age studio, not alone.
Guides, not teachers — a guide is like a mentor, who asks questions and keeps the rhythm.
Their own pace — just like in homeschooling, but with support and peers alongside.
Real projects and exhibitions — quests and presentations to a real audience, which are hard to provide at home.
Clear structure and rhythm — a predictable day that doesn’t require the parent’s daily planning.
No grades or rote learning — mastery and badges, not numbers.
Freedom within limits — independence within clear boundaries; freedom that isn’t chaos.
Inspiration from ‘unschooling’ and learner-driven learning
Acton Academy Riga wasn’t invented from scratch. Our approach draws on decades of learner-driven learning and ‘unschooling’ experience — from families and thinkers who discovered how children learn best when trusted with responsibility. Two books that inspire us (the first is available in our parent library):
- ‘UnSchooling Rules’ (Clark Aldrich) — 55 principles that challenge the usual idea of school. The foreword was written by Acton Academy co-founder Jeff Sandefer, which makes this one of Acton Academy’s foundational books. The core idea: first ‘learning to be’ and ‘learning to do’, and only then ‘learning to know’ — schools often reverse this order.
- ‘Free to Learn’ (Peter Gray) — an evolutionary psychologist’s argument that children are naturally built to learn through play and curiosity, and that too rigid a structure suppresses this natural drive.
From ‘unschooling’ we take trust in the child’s curiosity; from school — community, rhythm and support. The difference at Acton Academy Riga: we hold this freedom within a clear structure, with guides and real projects, so that freedom doesn’t turn into aimlessness or chaos.
Homeschooling in Latvia: what’s worth knowing
- In Latvia, homeschooling (family education) is currently still permitted at the first stage of basic education — up to grade 6.
- The child must be registered with a school that monitors their learning and assesses progress.
- Families choose it for various reasons: individual pace, health, values, flexibility.
Acton Academy Riga also serves this age group (grades 1–6) and for many families is a natural bridge between the freedom of homeschooling and the structure of a school — in person, with a community and guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is Acton Academy Riga homeschooling?
No. Acton Academy Riga is an in-person school with a community and guides. But we share many of the values of homeschooling and ‘unschooling’ — freedom, an individual pace and trust in the child’s curiosity.
Will I have to be my child’s teacher?
No. Unlike homeschooling, you won’t need to plan lessons or teach. The guides and the environment itself do that; your role is to be a parent and a partner in your child’s growth.
Is Acton Academy Riga like ‘unschooling’?
Partly. We believe in learner-driven learning, just as ‘unschooling’ does. But at Acton Academy Riga this freedom exists within a clear structure — with a daily rhythm, quests and guides — so it doesn’t become chaos or aimlessness.
Will my child have friends and socialising?
Yes. That’s exactly what’s often hard to provide in homeschooling. At Acton Academy Riga the child learns, collaborates and solves problems every day alongside peers in a mixed-age studio.
How is Acton Academy Riga different from homeschooling?
In homeschooling, the family takes on everything — planning, teaching, structure and socialising. Acton Academy Riga offers the same freedom and individual pace, but adds a community, guides, real projects and a clear rhythm.
Can I move to Acton Academy Riga from homeschooling, or the other way round?
Yes. Children build core skills at their own pace, so a move is possible in either direction; we build a plan together with the family.
Can I take my child out during the school year to travel?
Yes. It’s even strongly encouraged. We encourage parents to spend as much time as possible together as a family in productive activities — travelling, taking part in events, sport and similar.
Freedom with structure — let’s talk
If you’re looking for the freedom of homeschooling, but with community and support, the best next step is a short conversation. Book a 15-minute call — tell us about your child and family, and together we’ll work out whether Acton Academy Riga is the right fit.
Is this the right school for your family?
Fifteen minutes, no commitment — you ask, we answer. In English, whenever it suits you.