How scoring works
No black box. Here's exactly how your results are calculated.
We'd rather show our work than ask you to trust us.
1. Every answer is weighted for all eight philosophies
Each answer has a score from 0 to 10 for each of the eight philosophies, based on how strongly that philosophy agrees with it. No philosophy gets extra questions or a head start: every question is scored for all eight.
2. You can rank up to three answers
Your first choice counts fully. A second choice counts 60%, and a third counts 30%. Ranking more than one answer is optional.
3. Percentages compare you to a perfect match
For each philosophy, we add up your score and divide it by the highest score you could have earned for that philosophy with the same number of picks. So 100% means you chose that philosophy's favorite answer on every question. Picking one answer per question doesn't lower your scores.
4. Schools are sorted by your results
When we find schools near you, each one is labeled by the philosophy it actually practices, based on its own website or a reputable directory. Then they're sorted by your percentage for that philosophy, and by distance.
Every question and weight
Higher numbers mean that philosophy agrees more strongly with the answer.
1. At their core, how do you see your child?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A unique individual with their own interests and timeline | 2 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| A young mind that needs guidance, structure, and knowledge | 10 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| A creative explorer who learns through discovery and wonder | 3 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| A future citizen who needs character formation and wisdom | 8 | 10 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 9 |
| A natural learner who thrives with hands-on experiences | 4 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
2. Which of these best captures why you believe education is important?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character and wisdom matter more than test scores | 6 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 9 |
| Academic excellence and college preparation are essential | 10 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| Learning should be meaningful, joyful, and child-led | 2 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Real-world skills and entrepreneurship are key | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Strong foundations in core subjects build success | 10 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
3. How do children learn best, in your opinion?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Following their interests and passions naturally | 2 | 3 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Working with concrete materials and hands-on exploration | 4 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| Through structured lessons and proven curriculum | 10 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Reading great books and engaging in rich discussions | 7 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| Solving real problems and building actual projects | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
4. What is the ideal role of a teacher?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A facilitator who supports and observes learning | 3 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| A mentor and guide who helps students discover truth | 6 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 10 |
| An expert who delivers knowledge and maintains order | 10 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| A learning partner who explores alongside students | 2 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| A coach who helps students achieve their goals | 5 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
5. What does a successful student look like to you?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting academic standards and getting good grades | 10 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
| Pursuing their passions and developing as individuals | 2 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Building strong character and moral reasoning | 7 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
| Developing independence and practical life skills | 5 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Growing into thoughtful, engaged citizens | 6 | 9 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
6. Which environment would help your child thrive?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A safe, nurturing space that feels like an extension of home | 6 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 |
| An organized, focused classroom with clear expectations | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| A flexible space where students can explore and create | 3 | 4 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| A structured environment with dedicated learning areas | 8 | 8 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 |
| A dynamic workspace optimized for collaboration and innovation | 4 | 5 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
7. How should schools handle motivation and behavior?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural consequences and community agreements work best | 3 | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Clear rules with consistent consequences maintain order | 10 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 6 |
| Students should be intrinsically motivated to do what's right | 4 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Respect and relationships create the foundation for good behavior | 5 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Character formation through virtue and moral reasoning | 7 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 9 |
8. How important is faith or moral instruction in your child's education?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faith and spirituality should be woven throughout education | 8 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| Moral principles guide everything, whether religious or secular | 7 | 10 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 9 |
| Education should focus on academic skills, not values | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Each family should handle values; school focuses on learning | 8 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 |
| Community values and social responsibility matter most | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
| Children should explore and discover their own values | 2 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 7 |
9. What role do you want to play in your child's education?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I want to co-create the learning journey — choosing resources, setting goals, guiding direction | 2 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 |
| I want to be actively involved — reading together, doing projects, staying hands-on | 4 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
| I trust educators to lead — I want to support from the sidelines | 10 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| I want to lead my child's learning — school should support our goals | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 7 |
| I want to partner with the school — communication and shared values matter | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
10. If you had to choose one priority above all, what would it be?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom and individuality | 1 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 10 | 9 |
| Moral development and virtuous character | 6 | 10 | 5 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
| Creativity, imagination, and connection to nature | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Academic excellence and strong foundational skills | 10 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 |
| Self-direction and real-world readiness | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 10 |
| Joyful learning and lifelong curiosity | 2 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 8 |
11. Which of the following feels closest to your vision of a great school day?
| Answer | Traditional | Classical | Montessori | Charlotte Mason | Reggio Emilia | Waldorf | Unschooling | Acton Academy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| My child begins with a moment of stillness or reflection, follows a curated schedule rich in poetry, nature, and literature, guided by a warm adult presence. | 2 | 5 | 6 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| My child chooses from a prepared set of hands-on materials, works independently at their own pace, and is gently observed rather than instructed. | 1 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| My child sets their own SMART goals, tracks progress on a digital dashboard, and collaborates in a mixed-age studio with Socratic discussions and entrepreneurial projects. | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
| None of the above. | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |