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Bilingual from Day One
Spanish and English are part of everyday studio life, building communication skills, confidence and cultural curiosity.
Now accepting applications for the 2027–2028 school year · Ages 4–9 · TEFA acceptedStart with the Info Kit
Our approach
What Makes Us Different
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Maker Quests at the Core
Hands-on STEM, design and engineering challenges invite learners to create, test, reflect and try again.
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Citizens of the World
Through curiosity, collaboration and meaningful projects, learners build the courage to make a difference.
Spark & Elementary Studios · Ages 4–9
Learning Powered by Curiosity
From purposeful play in Spark Studio to independent quests in Elementary, children learn at their own pace, build confidence, and grow as curious, capable heroes.
Discover our two studios →
“We don't just teach children two languages. We raise children who belong to two worlds, and are ready to lead in both.”
Start the journey
A Small Studio. Big Possibilities.
Explore our values, learn about our approach, and discover whether Learning Casita is the right fit for your family.
Meet the founders
Meet Our Founders & Guides
Cami and Kaleib are a husband-and-wife team, parents of four, and the founders and Guides of Learning Casita: An Acton Academy.
Camila Richey “Mrs. Cami”
Co-Founder & Spark Studio Guide · Ages 4–6
Cami grew up in Bogotá, Colombia, and Spanish is her first language. For her, bilingual learning is not a program. It is home, family, and the way a child comes to see the world. Before this new chapter, she founded and ran the original Learning Casita, a bilingual, Montessori-inspired program where young heroes explored, played, and heard two languages as a natural part of every day.
Her approach draws from Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, and nature-based education. She believes heroes learn best through exploration, meaningful experiences, independence, relationships, and play, and she loves helping children fall in love with languages and the cultures of the world. She holds an Early Childhood Montessori Diploma (ages 3–6) from the North American Montessori Center and a Positive Phrasing certificate from the Prepared Montessorian Institute.
In Spark, Cami protects the time young heroes need to wonder, practice, and grow at their own pace, until they can say with pride, “I did it myself.”
Kaleib Richey
Co-Founder & Elementary Studio Guide · Ages 6–9
Kaleib brings a background in education and Spanish to Learning Casita. He has taught Spanish at the high school level and lived in Mexico for two years, an experience that deepened his love of language and cultural connection and shaped how he guides young people to see beyond their own corner of the world.
As a soccer coach, he has watched how teamwork, perseverance, and good mentorship help young people grow in confidence. He knows that real growth comes from hard, meaningful work done alongside others, and that a good guide trusts young people with it.
In Elementary, Kaleib supports heroes as they build independence, critical thinking, personal responsibility, and the courage to take on meaningful challenges. He asks the question, steps back, and believes in what they will discover.
The Acton philosophy
The Hero's Journey
In a hero's journey, challenges become opportunities to grow. Each learner discovers their strengths, practices resilience, and takes increasing ownership of their path.
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.
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.
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.
How we work together
Studio Promises & Contracts
One of the most powerful things we do at Learning Casita is ask children to create their own rules. From the very first days of the school year, learners gather to discuss, debate, and draft their Studio Promises, the agreements that govern how they treat each other and how they work.
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.
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.
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.
- Value economic, political, and religious freedom.
Learn more from Acton Academy's official Mission, Beliefs & Promises ↗. The statements above are adapted for readability.
Come See It for Yourself.
The best way to understand Learning Casita is to experience it. Request an Info Kit or reach out to schedule a visit. We'd love to meet your family.
Ages 4–6 · Early childhood
Spark Studio
Where wonder becomes the beginning of independence.
Our Spark Studio is inspired by Montessori principles and Acton's emphasis on joyful, self-directed discovery. Children learn through purposeful play, hands-on materials, movement, stories, art, and outdoor exploration.
The focus is on confidence and readiness: caring for themselves and their environment, developing friendships, practicing kindness, and discovering the foundations of language and number sense.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM. Families choose 1 to 4 days per week. See tuition →
- Hands-on Montessori-inspired work and imaginative play
- Early reading, writing, and math readiness at an individual pace
- Creative expression, music, nature, and sensory discovery
- Independence, emotional regulation, and collaboration
Ages 6–9 · Elementary
Elementary Studio
Where young heroes take ownership of meaningful work.
2027–2028 is our first year offering Elementary.
Elementary learners develop mastery in reading, writing, and math through personal goals and self-paced practice. They learn to ask powerful questions and take on increasingly ambitious projects alongside their peers.
Socratic discussions, hands-on STEM and maker quests, peer collaboration, and shared Studio Promises develop critical thinking, character, and real-world problem-solving.
Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–3:30 PM, four days per week. See tuition →
- Individual goal setting and mastery-based academic progress
- Hands-on STEM, engineering, design, and project-based quests
- Socratic dialogue, communication, and collaborative problem-solving
- Leadership, accountability, and community agreements
Growing at every stage
One Journey, Each Child's Own Pace.
The ages above describe Learning Casita's planned studios. Placement and readiness are considered individually, especially where age ranges meet at six years old.
Discover the Right Studio for Your Family.
We'd love to learn about your child and answer your questions about our bilingual, learner-driven approach.
Educational approach informed by Acton Academy's official studio model and Acton Academy FAQs. Studio ages and local programming reflect Learning Casita's stated plans.
Recommended reading
Start here
Books for the Journey
Courage to Grow
Laura Sandefer
The best introduction to the Acton philosophy, told through the story of the first Acton Academy.
The Montessori Toddler
Simone Davies
Practical ways to nurture independence and respect at home with young children.
The Montessori Child
Simone Davies & Junnifa Uzodike
Carries Montessori principles into the early elementary years.
Mindset
Carol S. Dweck
Why believing ability can grow changes how children face challenges.
The Self-Driven Child
William Stixrud & Ned Johnson
How giving children a sense of control builds motivation and resilience.
The Whole-Brain Child
Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Brain-based strategies for helping children handle big emotions.
Understand the model
Explore the Philosophy
The Hero's Journey
A framework for growth through challenges, reflection and discovery.
Explore the Hero's Journey ↗Self-Directed Learning
Learners set goals, track progress and take ownership with supportive guides.
Discover the Learning Model ↗
Enrollment FAQs
Common Questions
More answers are in the Info Kit.
How are different ages grouped together?
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 April 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.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Get in Touch
Email
[email protected]
Location
Northeast San Antonio, Texas 78244
Serving families across NE San Antonio, TX.
Response time
We aim to reply within one business day.
Not sure where to start?
Request the Info Kit for an introduction to the studio and enrollment process.
Request Info Kit →
How it works
Four Steps to Your Hero's Place
Get & read the Info Kit
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.
Application Questionnaire →
Please read the Info Kit first.
Join our open house
Applicant families are invited to our first open house, planned for April 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 April 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.
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 April 2027.
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.
Official information & interest list: educationfreedom.texas.gov/families ↗
TEFA may not cover everything.
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.