The big comparison

Waldorf school vs Montessori vs Acton Academy

If you are comparing alternatives to traditional school, three names available in Latvia come up most often: Montessori, Waldorf school (Steiner) and Acton Academy. All three care about a child who learns on their own, at their own pace, without fear of grades — but each gets there differently. Montessori comes from Maria Montessori's scientific observations of children, Waldorf school from Rudolf Steiner's view of child development, and Acton Academy combines proven ideas with 21st-century tools and real projects. Here is a comparison to help you understand which approach suits your family.

This is the big table, all three side by side. If only one of them interests you there are separate comparisons too: Montessori or Acton Academy and Waldorf school or Acton Academy.

What the research says about all three

All three approaches have been researched, though not equally. Montessori is the best documented — in her book “Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius”, Angeline Stoll Lillard gathered evidence that many Montessori ideas align with what modern psychology knows about learning. Waldorf school research (summarised, for example, in Bo Dahlin's book and in Ruhi Tyson's 2024 review of around 270 studies) shows that Waldorf pupils tend to be more motivated and socially engaged, while results in science and mathematics are in some places lower or mixed. Acton Academy draws on methods from both traditions and adds the Socratic approach and 21st-century findings.

Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius
Angeline Stoll Lillard

Rudolf Steiner: The Relevance of Waldorf Education
Bo Dahlin

Class structure and age

All three recognise that children learn especially well from one another. Montessori groups children in three-year bands; Waldorf school keeps one class together with one teacher for many years; at Acton Academy Riga the studios are mixed-age, grouped by readiness, where older learners reinforce their own knowledge by teaching younger ones.

The role of the adult

This is where the difference is greatest. The Montessori adult observes and prepares the environment, then steps back. The Waldorf teacher actively leads the class and teaches from the front. The Acton Academy Riga guide does not lead or give answers — instead they ask questions so the child thinks, analyses and defends their own view, developing critical thinking and self-direction.

Pace and when academic learning begins

None of the three rushes a child through a single fixed timetable the way a traditional school does. Montessori lets children move at their own pace from early on; Waldorf school deliberately delays formal academic learning to later years (research shows that later readers catch up with early starters within a few years); at Acton Academy Riga each child masters core skills at their own pace — some earlier, some later — and links them to real projects.

Assessment without grades

None of the three gives grades or standardised tests in the early years, and motivation psychology supports this: external evaluation undermines intrinsic motivation. What differs is how progress is shown.

Art, imagination and creativity

Art matters to all three, but with different weight. For Waldorf it sits at the heart of daily learning, and research shows richer imagination and creative thinking. In Montessori, art has its place within the prepared environment. At Acton Academy Riga creativity also lives in projects and quests — children create real work for a real audience.

Technology

This is where Acton Academy differs most. Montessori and Waldorf school deliberately limit screens in the early years, and there is good reason for that. At Acton Academy Riga hands-on activity stays primary, but we use modern tools where they build core skills and prepare the child for a digital world.

Worldview

Montessori and Acton Academy are not built on a religious or spiritual worldview. Waldorf pedagogy is rooted in Steiner's anthroposophy, which shapes its rhythm, festivals and methods — though research shows that only a small share of graduates go on to become anthroposophists themselves. Acton Academy is open to all families regardless of belief.

Community, character and rhythm

All three care about more than knowledge. Waldorf school builds a strong community and a clear yearly rhythm with festivals; the Montessori community forms around the prepared environment; at Acton Academy Riga the studio is a small community where character develops through everyday practice — mutual agreements, feedback, studio meetings and accountability.

What makes each one unique

If each approach had to be described by the one thing it does better than the others:

Three paths, one heart

Montessori, Waldorf school and Acton Academy all believe a child learns best when trusted with responsibility for their own learning. They differ in method, not in goal.

Acton Academy takes what decades have proven in both traditions — self-direction, an unhurried pace, community and art — and adds real projects, entrepreneurship and modern tools, to prepare the child for the world as it will be, not as it was. Acton Academy Riga's mission is to inspire every child to find their calling and change the world.

Get to know Acton Academy Riga