Pace Academy is a school for children ages 4 to 16 in North Chesterfield, Virginia. It rests on a simple belief: children learn best when they are known, trusted and challenged, and the path from curiosity to purpose is walked one studio at a time.
About Pace.
Pace was built for families who want more for their children than a good report card. They want learners who are curious and capable, and glad to be at school. Studios are small and mixed-age, learners hold real responsibility, and every day includes time outdoors.
Montessori in the Spark studios grows into mastery-based learning, public Exhibitions, leadership, and, in Launchpad, apprenticeships in the working world.
The school.
Leadership.
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Dr. Matt Dreier
CO-FOUNDER AND HEAD OF SCHOOL
Matt began his adult life in the Marine Corps, and when that chapter closed, the call to serve did not. After earning his doctorate in education leadership from Harvard, he turned that call toward schools, founding Pace Academy, where he serves as Head of School and Launchpad Guide. He builds a learner-driven school and a high-trust team of educators that develop character, rigor, and real-world capability, because learners, families, and educators all deserve more than a system that rewards compliance.
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Kristen Braia
CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Kristen keeps the school running, from enrollment and families to the facilities and details that make each day work for learners and Guides.
Guides.
Each studio is led by Guides who know their learners well.
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Angela Butler
LEAD GUIDE, SPARK 1
AMS Montessori certified
Angela leads Spark 1, where children ages 4 to 6 begin with real Montessori materials and long, uninterrupted work time. She earned her Montessori certification through the Virginia Center for Montessori Studies.
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Brittany
GUIDE, SPARK 2
AMS Montessori certified
Brittany guides Spark 2 and holds AMS Montessori certification. She is also a Pace parent, so she sees the school from both sides.
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MT Duvall
GUIDE, DISCOVERY
Pace parent
MT leads the Discovery Studio, where learners take on real responsibility for their own school. MT is also a Pace parent.
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Matthew
GUIDE, EXPLORER
Pace parent
Matthew leads the Explorer Studio, guiding learners through Quests, discussion and expeditions. He is also a Pace parent.
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Jen Fournelle
GUIDE
Role to come
Bio to come.
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Halley Hengle
Description goes here
Accreditation
and affiliations.
Pace Academy is an independent school and an Acton Academy affiliate, part of a network that takes its inspiration and receives mentorship from the founding Acton Academy in Austin, Texas. It is accredited by Middle States Association and by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools, and is finalizing recognition with VCPE, expected in November 2026. It is a TimberNook Certified school and a member of the Virginia Montessori Association.
TimberNook.
Pace grew alongside TimberNook Central Virginia, our summer nature-play program. Both rest on one belief: children grow best with time, space, and real nature.
Our promises.
As an Acton Academy affiliate, Pace holds to the promises that guide the network, to every learner and to every family.
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To every learner
To begin a Hero's Journey of challenge and discovery.
To grow into a curious, independent, lifelong learner.
To experience freedom, and the responsibility that comes with it.
To cherish the arts, the physical world and the mysteries of life on Earth.
To discover their gifts and use them to serve others.
Visit.
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Call
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Email
We would be glad to show you the school.
Visits are by appointment, and we are happy to answer any question beforehand.