Children hear, speak and play in Spanish and English all day, not just in a weekly lesson.
Learning by doing
Real projects, play and meaningful work instead of sitting still and listening.
A small, close community
Mixed ages and familiar faces, where every child is known by name and by heart.
Adults who guide
Guides ask good questions and trust children to think, try and figure things out.
Meet the founders
Cami and Kaleib are a husband-and-wife team and parents of four, building a school for families who want learning to feel purposeful, joyful, and connected to the wider world.
We Believe Children Are Capable of More Than the World Expects.
Learning Casita is built on a simple but radical conviction: that every child, given the right environment and the right guides, can discover their own extraordinary path.
Meet the founders
Cami & Kaleib
A husband-and-wife team and parents of four. They are building Learning Casita for children like their own, and for families who want learning to feel purposeful, joyful, and connected to the wider world.
Ms. Cami
Co-Founder & Spark Studio Guide
A native Spanish speaker from Colombia, Ms. Cami left a career in business management for early childhood education after becoming a mother. She wanted her own children in an environment that nurtures the whole child, and found it in Montessori and Forest School education, where academic growth stands beside emotional, social, and physical development.
In Spark she guides young children as they explore, play, and make, at their own pace, in Spanish and English. She holds an Early Childhood Montessori Diploma from the North American Montessori Center and a Positive Phrasing certificate from the Prepared Montessorian Institute, and she has led Forest School sessions with Free Forest School.
Her work is driven by cultural inclusivity, hands-on experience, and care for the earth, so that every child can thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.
Kaleib
Co-Founder & Elementary Studio Guide
Kaleib is the Guide who sets the Elementary Studio in motion. He fell in love with the Spanish language and the cultures behind it.
A former high school Spanish teacher, he realized the traditional school system wasn’t creating learners inspired to grow, but followers who are always told what and how to do things. In Elementary he guides young heroes through Socratic discussions, hands-on quests, and exhibitions. He asks the question, steps back, and trusts children to do the thinking, the building, and the leading.
A devoted father and lifelong sports lover, he models what he hopes to see in every child: effort, teamwork, and a balanced, active life.
How we teach
One community, two ways of learning
Spark · Ages 4–6
Play, wonder, and real experiences
Guided by principles from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, and nature-based education. Children learn through play, hands-on materials, movement, stories, and real experiences, with Spanish and English woven through the day.
In our Elementary Studio, every learner is on a Hero's Journey. Challenges become opportunities to grow, and each learner discovers their strengths, practices resilience, and takes increasing ownership of their path.
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Children are heroes, not students.
We don't teach children what to think. We create the conditions for them to discover how to think, and who they want to become.
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Guides, not lecturers.
Our adults are guides on the journey, not lecturers at the front of a room. They ask questions, challenge assumptions, and believe in each child's capacity to figure things out.
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Learning is intrinsically motivated.
When children choose their goals, track their progress, and experience the real satisfaction of mastery, they don't need to be pushed. They run.
In Elementary · How we work together
Studio Promises & Contracts
Each school year, children write their own Studio Promises, the agreements that guide how they treat each other and work together.
01
Created by learners, not adults.
The Studio Promises are not handed down from on high. They are written by the children themselves, through Socratic discussion and genuine negotiation.
02
Enforced by the community.
When a promise is broken, it's the learners, not the guides, who address it. This builds real accountability, real empathy, and real ownership.
03
Renewed every year.
Each new school year begins with a fresh conversation. What do we want our studio to feel like? What do we owe each other? The answers evolve as the children grow.
The Acton Academy commitment
Our Mission, Beliefs & Promises
Learning Casita is committed to the mission, beliefs, and promises that unite learner-driven Acton Academy communities around the world.
Our mission
To inspire each person who enters our doors to discover a calling that changes the world.
Our Beliefs
Every person has a gift with the potential to make a profound difference.
Learning means learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be.
A close community of lifelong learners helps us grow.
Economic, political, and religious freedom matter.
Our Promises
Embark on a Hero's Journey.
Recognize unique gifts and commit to mastery.
Grow into curious, independent, lifelong learners.
Build strong character through challenges and choices.
Appreciate the arts, nature, and the mysteries of life.
Where young children explore, create, and grow at their own pace.
A bilingual early childhood studio guided by principles from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, and nature-based education. Time in nature, play, and hands-on discovery, in Spanish and English.
Spark days are built around curiosity. Children spend time in nature, looking closely, digging, climbing and wondering, and the adults follow their lead.
Making and creating
Painting, building, singing and storytelling are part of everyday life. Children work with real materials, make real messes, and take pride in what they create.
Real everyday work
Pouring, rolling, sweeping and preparing snack. Doing real work for real reasons builds independence, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Hands-on materials
Materials made for small hands. Children touch, stack, sort and compare, and big ideas become something they can feel.
Hands in the dirt
Children dig, plant and care for living things, and learn patience by watching them grow.
Two languages, every day
Spanish and English share the day through greetings, songs, stories and play. Children do not study languages. They live in them.
How we work
Children lead, adults guide
Independence
Children do real things for themselves, like pouring, cleaning up and caring for the room, and learn to say with pride, “I did it myself.”
A prepared space
The room is arranged so children can choose their own work, concentrate deeply, and feel calm and at home.
Real materials
Hands-on materials children can touch, move, build and explore, so ideas become something they can feel.
Their own pace
Each child moves forward when they are ready, with plenty of time to wonder, practice and play.
Led by Ms. Cami
A native Spanish speaker from Colombia, Ms. Cami guides young children as they explore, play, and make. She holds an Early Childhood Montessori Diploma and has led Forest School sessions with Free Forest School.
Mon–Thu · 8:30–3:301 to 4 days a weekSpanish & English
Kaleib guides young heroes through Socratic discussions, hands-on quests, and exhibitions. He asks the question, steps back, and trusts children to do the thinking, the building, and the leading.
In two mixed-age studios: Spark (ages 4–6) and Elementary (ages 6–9). Placement around age six is considered individually, based on readiness.
Does my child need to speak Spanish?
No. Heroes new to Spanish are welcome. Spanish and English share the day, and language is woven into routines, play, and stories.
What are the school hours and days?
Both studios meet Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Spark families choose 1 to 4 days per week; Elementary heroes attend all four days.
How much is tuition, and do you accept TEFA?
All tuition and fees are on our Tuition & TEFA page. We are an approved private school participating in TEFA, and families are responsible for any amount TEFA does not cover.
When does Learning Casita open, and can we tour?
2027–2028 is our founding year. We are not offering individual tours yet. Applicant families are invited to our open house, planned for Spring 2027.
How do we begin enrolling?
Start by requesting the Info Kit and reading it with your family. It includes the next step, the application questionnaire. The full process is on the Apply page.
We'd love to hear from your family. Whether you have questions about our model, want to schedule a visit, or are ready to apply, reach out and we'll be in touch soon.
Take your time with the Info Kit, share it with your family, and make sure the Acton model feels right for you. Please read it before you apply. Get the Info Kit →
Apply & read the book
After you have read the Info Kit, complete our application questionnaire. We also recommend reading Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer, the best introduction to how an Acton Academy works, before you apply. The $100 application fee is non-refundable and due after you submit the questionnaire.
Applicant families are invited to our first open house, planned for Spring 2027, to see the studio and meet Cami and Kaleib.
Admissions decision
After the open house we reach out with our decision. Families who are a fit secure their hero’s place with the enrollment fee.
Our founding year. 2027–2028 is our first year, and we are not offering individual tours yet. Applicant families are invited to our open house, planned for Spring 2027. See tuition & fees →
Ready to Apply?
Begin with the Info Kit and read it with your family. We also recommend reading Courage to Grow before you apply.
Already read the Info Kit? Continue to the application questionnaire → The questionnaire takes about 20 to 30 minutes. After you submit it, the $100 non-refundable application fee is due.
Get the Info Kit
Learn Everything You Need to Know
Enter your email and download our Family Information Package right away. It covers our approach, our studios, tuition and TEFA, and how enrollment works.
Application · 2027–2028 school year
Application Questionnaire
Step 2 of 4. Please read the Info Kit first. Then take your time and answer in your own words. We read every response, and it helps us get to know your family and see whether Learning Casita is a good fit.
Before you begin: please read the Info Kit first.
The Info Kit explains our approach, our studios, tuition and TEFA, and how enrollment works. Please read it with your family before you fill out this questionnaire. We also recommend reading Courage to Grow by Laura Sandefer, the best introduction to how an Acton Academy works, before you apply.
What happens next: after you submit, the $100 non-refundable application fee is due. We will email you the payment instructions. Applicant families are then invited to our open house, planned for Spring 2027.
TUITION & TEFA · 2027–2028 SCHOOL YEAR
Clear, Complete Tuition.
Everything you will pay is on this page, and it is all you will pay. There will be no other fees throughout the school year.
All fees
Additional Fees, Both Studios
Application fee One-time
$100
Non-refundable. Due when you submit your application questionnaire.
Enrollment fee One-time
$850
Due upon acceptance. Secures your child's place.
Supply fee Annual
$300
Due once each school year.
No other fees. The fees above are the only fees. There will be no additional fees throughout the school year.
Monthly tuition
Tuition by Studio
All tuition is listed per month and paid in 11 monthly payments. Both studios meet Monday–Thursday. Spark families choose how many days their hero attends; Elementary heroes attend all four days.
Spark Studio
Ages 4–6 · Monday–Thursday · 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Attendance
Monthly tuition
1 day per week
$375 / month
2 days per week
$600 / month
3 days per week
$825 / month
4 days per week
$1,000 / month
Elementary Studio
Ages 6–9 · Monday–Thursday
$900 per month
4 days per week · 8:30 AM–3:30 PM
Texas Education Freedom Accounts
Paying with TEFA
Learning Casita is an approved private school participating in TEFA.
Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) help eligible Texas families use state funds toward approved education costs, including tuition and fees at participating private schools. Families apply through the State of Texas.
Families are financially responsible for any tuition and fees that TEFA does not cover, and for the application fee. We do not know how much TEFA funding will be available for the 2027–2028 school year.
Award amounts, for reference
$10,474standard 2026–27 award for an approved private school
Up to $30,000for students with an IEP on file, based on the IEP
Up to $2,000for homeschool and other settings
Figures are for 2026–27, as published by the program. The 2027–28 amount has not been announced. Awards are not guaranteed, and amounts depend on program rules. This page is a friendly summary, not official program guidance. Information reviewed October 2026.
Example
2027–2028 Tuition Snapshot with TEFA
See how a family could use TEFA toward Learning Casita. This is only an example built on assumptions. We do not know how much TEFA funding will be available for the 2027–2028 school year, and your actual award could be higher, lower, or none.
Annual tuition (paid in 11 monthly payments)
One-time enrollment fee
$850
Annual supply fee
$300
Total tuition and fees TEFA could apply to
Less estimated TEFA contribution (assumption)
Remaining tuition and fees
One-time application fee, paid by the family out of pocket (not part of the TEFA math)
$100
Estimated family responsibility, first year
Remaining tuition and fees, spread across the 11 monthly payments
This amount is an estimate. Families are responsible for any remaining balance after the TEFA contribution is applied. The $10,474 starting figure is the 2026–27 standard award, used here only as an assumption. The $100 application fee is paid by the family and is not included in the TEFA math. After the first year, the one-time application and enrollment fees do not repeat.
TEFA FAQs
Your TEFA Questions, Answered
Does TEFA pay for everything?
Not necessarily. Families are financially responsible for any amount TEFA does not cover, including the $100 application fee.
How much funding will there be for 2027–2028?
We do not know yet. The State of Texas sets the amounts and rules each year. The examples on this page are assumptions, not promises.
How do I apply for TEFA?
Families apply directly through the State of Texas at educationfreedom.texas.gov/families ↗. Check that site for eligibility, deadlines, and the 2027–2028 interest list.
Do I need TEFA to enroll?
No. Families are welcome to apply with or without TEFA. Without an award, the family is responsible for the full tuition and fees.
