For the 2025-2026 academic year, we are currently accepting learners ages 5-13.

With the addition of Launchpad Studio in ‘26-’27 school year, we will welcome Learners ages 5-15.

We believe that children learn best when working with younger and older children rather than split up into groups based solely on age. In addition to an individualized curriculum, all ages of students within their respective studios work together in groups.

While we respect and incorporate Maria Montessori’s philosophy in our learning design, we are not a Montessori school. Montessori principles and pedagogy provide the foundation for our Spark Studios, and we build on the Montessori method with the latest interactive technologies, hands-on projects, and the Socratic Method in our older studios.

We operate on a 10-month calendar, typically with five to seven-week sessions followed by a week off.

Pace Academy is not a religious school. We provide children space to develop their spiritual foundation and moral footing in conjunction with their family’s beliefs. We have a strong focus on character, ethics, freedom of thought, and kindness to others. We believe parents are the primary instructors of faith and morals, not the school system.

Children who love to learn, are curious, self-motivated, and respectful. Our environment is an accelerator for the independent learner who can tackle challenging questions, follow instructions and solve problems.

We believe learning is better in a diverse environment. As a learning community we want to bring together families from different backgrounds to help them understand, respect, and support one another. We strive to maximize diversity across six dimensions: race, economics, gender, age, religion, and school background.

We believe every learner deserves the supports they need to thrive, and we want to be transparent about what Pace Academy can—and cannot—provide. Pace is a small school with a learner-driven model, and we do not offer formal special education services, including IEP implementation, dedicated intervention staffing, or therapeutic or clinical supports.

Our program works best for learners who can engage with consistent routines, work independently for meaningful periods of time, and respond to coaching and feedback within a general education setting. Learners who flourish at Pace are typically able to use organizational tools, shift between tasks, and regain focus with guidance and structure.

While we can often support learners with dyslexia and mild attention or focus challenges through our core program, Pace may not be the right fit for students who require a highly modified curriculum, intensive behavior support, or frequent, ongoing 1:1 assistance throughout the day.

If you’re considering Pace and would like to explore fit, we encourage you to contact us. We’re happy to talk through your child’s needs and help you determine the most appropriate setting.

We believe each of our learners will find a passion — something they have a gift to do and will use to serve others and fulfill a need in the world.

The monthly tuition for 2025-2026 is $1,150.

The monthly tuition for 2026-2027 is $1,340.

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee.

Once accepted, Explorer, Discovery, and Launchpad learners pay a $1,000 non-refundable technology and enrollment fee; Spark Studio learners pay a $500 non-refundable fee. The annual supply fee covers all required materials and enrichment activities for every studio.

We are not a franchise or chain. Pace Academy is an independent school, part of an affiliate network that finds its inspiration and receives mentorship from the founding Acton Academy in Austin, Texas. Our network of affiliates are passionate about revolutionizing education, pursuing best practices, and have agreed to support a learner-driven environment. Each affiliate follows their own methods in upholding these commitments, and varies based on the leadership at each school and community they serve.

Yes, we are accredited by the International Association of Learner-Driven Schools.

We are also in the process of accreditation through the Middle States Association. We expect to complete the accreditation process in April 2026.

We are located at the historic Central Baptist Church in North Chesterfield, VA. In addition to extended classroom space and playground, our learners have access to 15 acres of forest, supporting our mission to take learning outside the classroom.

We currently do not offer financial aid or scholarships, though it’s something we hope to offer in the future.

TimberNook is a nature-based program offered at Pace Academy in three ways: year-round as part of our learners' curriculum, through weekday community classes, and in our summer camps.

Each format provides unique outdoor, child-led play experiences that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and independent thinking, separate from our regular school programming.