From Curiosity to Calling
A learner-driven high school studio where students master academics, discover their gifts, build real-world skills, and prepare for their Next Great Adventure.
Launchpad is Pace Academy’s studio for young people who are ready for more than a traditional high school experience. Here, learners take ownership of their education, pursue meaningful work, practice leadership, and prepare for a future shaped by purpose.
“What am I called to do with my life?”
High school with direction.
Purpose, academics, leadership, apprenticeships, and real-world preparation in one intentional studio experience.
The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.
School should prepare learners for more than a transcript.
For many teens, the future can feel overwhelming. College, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, creative work, and career paths all compete for attention. Launchpad helps learners move past pressure and toward purpose.
Through self-paced mastery, Socratic dialogue, meaningful projects, apprenticeships, and mentorship, learners begin building a life of direction before they graduate.
See if Launchpad is a fitFour pillars. One personalized path.
Launchpad combines rigorous academics, leadership through service, apprenticeships, and each learner’s Next Great Adventure.
Academics
Learners meet and exceed Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma requirements through mastery-based work tailored to their goals.
Leadership
Servant leadership badges help learners lead projects, strengthen community, and take increasing ownership.
Apprenticeships
Learners pursue meaningful real-world opportunities, connect with mentors, and build portfolios of skills and stories.
Next Great Adventure
Each learner identifies gifts, passions, interests, and future possibilities to create a path toward meaningful work.
How learners build their Next Great Adventure.
Launchpad learners move through a purposeful process of discovery, relationship-building, independent work, and guided real-world experience.
Search
Identify gifts, strengths, passions, interests, and the problems in the world that move them.
Build Relationships
Interview people connected to their goals, seek mentors, and learn from people doing meaningful work.
Independent Work
Read deeply, earn credentials when appropriate, and build knowledge connected to their path.
Guided Work
Complete projects, specialty studies, freelancing, apprenticeships, and other door-opening experiences.
Challenge and connection.
Launchpad is built on a strong, supportive culture where learners push one another toward excellence and adventure.
Learners collaborate, exchange ideas, participate in community experiences, and help shape a culture grounded in intentionality, purpose, and joy.
The NGA Talk
Launchpad learners craft and deliver a TED Talk-style speech sharing their Next Great Adventure plan.
- Clarify their future direction
- Practice persuasive communication
- Connect with other Launchpad learners
- Potentially pursue Acton Academy fellowship opportunities
Not just prepared. Fully alive.
Launchpad aims to graduate young people who are academically prepared, self-aware, self-governing, and ready to contribute meaningfully.
Lifelong Learners
They know how to set goals, ask questions, gather feedback, and master new skills independently.
Independent Thinkers
They make choices aligned with their values and design lives guided by calling rather than convention.
Skilled Communicators
They write, speak, listen, and tell stories with clarity, empathy, confidence, and purpose.
Resilient Problem Solvers
They embrace failure as feedback and tackle complex challenges with creativity, courage, and collaboration.
Active Citizens
They understand responsibility in a free and interdependent society and seek to serve through thoughtful action.
Whole Humans
They develop emotional awareness, healthy rhythms, curiosity, wonder, humility, and commitment to the common good.
Rigorous academics with personal direction.
Launchpad learners meet and exceed Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma requirements. Exact coursework is determined by each learner’s Next Great Adventure goal.
Math
- Algebra 1 and 2
- Geometry and Trigonometry
- Precalculus and Calculus
- AP Calculus
- Data Science
- Dual enrollment opportunities
English Language Arts
- Life-changing books
- Genre writing badges
- Grades 9–12 ELA
- AP Language
- Discussion and written communication
Science, History & Electives
- Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
- World and American History
- AP History and AP Government
- Language proficiency
- Visual arts, psychology, PE, and adventure badges
Built for learners ready to take ownership.
Launchpad may be a strong fit for learners who want to:
- Take ownership of their education
- Explore their gifts, passions, and future calling
- Build real-world experience before graduation
- Practice leadership through service
- Prepare for college, entrepreneurship, creative work, or another meaningful path
Launchpad may not be the best match for learners who prefer:
- Highly structured environments
- External motivation for daily progress
- A traditional high school experience
- Large competitive team sports as the center of school life
- Passive classroom learning without real-world challenge
Real work before graduation.
Through apprenticeships, learners identify and earn meaningful opportunities that move them toward a calling.
By the end of Launchpad, learners can:
- Identify strengths, interests, and real-world needs
- Professionally connect with mentors and employers
- Communicate value clearly in writing and conversation
- Set goals and agreements for each placement
- Reflect on experiences to build a portfolio of skills, stories, and references
Common questions.
Who will guide Launchpad, and where will it take place?
Dr. Matthew Dreier will serve as the Launchpad Guide. Launchpad will be housed in the current Pace Academy building, with learners using the full campus as a flexible workspace for self-directed learning, collaboration, and real-world projects.
How large will the first Launchpad cohort be?
The first year is expected to be a small, focused founding cohort of four to six learners, with a goal of reaching 40 learners at capacity.
What opportunities will Launchpad learners have?
Learners will pursue apprenticeships, learner-led overnight trips, exchanges with other Acton Academies, and global collaboration with Launchpad peers around the world.
What are the academic expectations?
Every Launchpad learner is expected to master Virginia Advanced Studies Diploma requirements. Learners aiming for competitive universities will design an academic path that includes advanced coursework, AP classes, dual enrollment, or a calculus-based math track.
Can learners take AP or dual enrollment courses?
Yes. Learners may pursue AP coursework independently or through approved online providers and sit for AP exams. Pace Academy is also working with Brightpoint Community College to offer dual enrollment opportunities.
For young people who want to lead, create, and grow — we’re here for the journey.
See whether Launchpad is the right fit for your learner. Reach out today to start a conversation with Pace Academy.