Acton Academy – Ilhabela is part of a network of schools in the Acton Academy Group, currently with more than 300 schools in more than 42 American states and 27 countries.

The school was established over 15 years ago in Austin, Texas, by Jeff and Laura Sandefer, a visionary and entrepreneurial couple. Dissatisfied with the constraints of traditional teaching methods their children had encountered, they embarked on founding a school that aligned with their vision for education.

The name Acton is a tribute to John Edward Acton, also known as Baron Acton or Lord Acton (1834-1902). He was wary of the insatiable desire for power, which led to his most famous quote:

“Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”