New private school set to open Sept. 3

by Dan Holland

Richfield will soon welcome a new private school to the area on Sept. 3 when Pioneer Academy – an Acton-affiliated school – opens at 4131 W. Streetsboro Rd. According to the school’s website, the institution follows a learner-driven philosophy of education, tailored to develop each students’ talents and abilities.

Husband-and-wife team Mike and Stephanie Zervos of Brecksville are spearheading the opening of the school, which will be the second such school to open in Northeast Ohio following the opening of Acton Academy Lakeside in Bay Village in 2022. Approximately 300 Acton schools operate worldwide.

The couple taught for many years at a private school in Las Vegas, where they first met.

As the school does not follow a traditional grade classifications, two levels will be offered: for children ages 4 – 6 and for ages 7 – 12. A series of 5 to 7-weeklong “quests” are adhered to throughout the school year as opposed to traditional quarters or semesters. Each quest will have a main topic with standard subject coursework.

“We have three philosophies that we learn around: learn to learn, learn to do and learn to be,” said Stephanie. “One of the things that makes Action very unique is that we want students to take ownership over their education rather than always relying on the instructor.”

“We teach all the basic subjects, but they aren’t divided up between individual topics,” she continued. “There are core skills periods to work on language skills, math and writing, and students get to work at their own pace. … There will be a science quest and others focusing on biology, medical, history and entrepreneurship.”

During his time working as a private school teacher and administrator, Mike noted that students spent little time in actual learning, with much classroom time devoted to allowing other students to catch up or teachers dealing with behavioral issues.

“Learning can be compressed into a very short amount of time, and students can pick up concepts much more quickly than adults,” he said.

Two of the couples’ three children – the third being an infant – will be enrolled in the school, which is a requirement of all operators of an Acton-affiliated school, explained Stephanie.

A lifelong love of learning is a key element instilled through the program, she added. “Achieving for the sake of the grade is a goal typically found in a standard school, whereas we like students to achieve for the sake of the joy and satisfaction that it brings to them,” she said. “Not everyone is a lifelong learner; most learn just while they’re in school, and they don’t develop that love of learning.”

“It’s about teaching students how to be independent and think for themselves, and make decisions for themselves as opposed to always waiting on a teacher to tell them what to do,” Mike added.

The school will host a children’s business fair in late-August, open to all. For information on the program and school, visit pioneeractonacademy.com. ∞

Photo: Stephanie and Mike Zervos are opening Pioneer Academy, an Acton-affiliated school on Route 303 in Richfield. Photo submitted.