We're the Cookes
HEY THERE!
The family behind
Acton Academy Davidson
A plot twist we never saw coming
Our journey from law to launching an
Acton
One of the first questions we had was, "Where's the nearest Acton?" Only to learn that there wasn't one within an hour of the town we were determined to call home. And then we were asked the question that changed everything. Would we like to audition to launch our own Acton?
We didn't know how we'd ever pull it off. But we knew that we would always regret not trying to. So we answered the call to our greatest adventure yet—bringing the school of our dreams to the community we cherished. Every step we've taken since that day has been guided by our commitment to launching Acton Academy Davidson and creating a place for heroes to meet their genius.
We never dreamed of starting a school. On the contrary, we thought we'd already achieved our big career goals when we met while working as federal prosecutors in Virginia. But life has a way of changing your perspective. As we welcomed our daughters, Hayden and Scout—after losing their older sister, Harper, at 24 weeks gestation—our priorities shifted. We started thinking differently about where our children would grow up and what kind of school they would go to.
After watching our friends launch an Acton Academy outside of Richmond, we knew we had found the right school for our family. But as the girls grew, we realized that we belonged in Davidson.
Katy
Meet Us
The visionary Enthusiast
Although I always did well in school, I struggled with what became a debilitating obsession with grades. Classes and assignments became about doing what I needed to do to get a good grade or a high test score. Curiosity, exploration, and true learning became afterthoughts. Classmates became competitors. Even when I enjoyed a topic, I couldn't slow down to really explore it because I had to keep pace with the curriculum. I knew I wanted something different for our children, I just didn't know what that could be.
After watching some friends launch an Acton, I fell in love with the self-guided hero's journey. I devoured Courage to Grow and was hooked. When we moved to Davidson, I knew we couldn't leave Acton behind, so I spearheaded our audition to bring the school of our dreams to the town we love!
I am a multi-passionate person who draws inspiration from tackling tough questions and engaging in regular self-reflection. I lit the torch for our family's journey to Acton. Now I carry that torch so that others can find this incredible path to self-discovery for themselves and their children. I will serve as Head of School and Lead Guide when our campus launches in 2026!
Why I Chose Acton
I have always enjoyed learning by doing, whether it was rebuilding a 1960s pickup in college, cultivating ornamental garden beds, or restoring our 1954 Farmall Super MTA. I knew I wanted our children's school to afford them more opportunities to explore and experiment than they would find in a traditional public school setting. When Katy introduced me to Acton, I knew we'd found the best fit for our family. I support, advise, and guide our operations behind the scenes.
Richard
The practical guide
I remember feeling confined in school by the assignments I received, so much so that, by high school, I would ignore the assignment and create my own. Not until college did I feel like I had the opportunity to follow my interests. And after I completed my formal education, I have greatly enjoyed the ability to explore and learn on my own new topics about law, economics, and history, which all intersect with my professional work.
I want my children to learn in an environment that encourages self-initiative, creativity, and originality. I do not want my kids to have an education that makes learning seem like a chore or something that they cannot do well.
The importance of learning does not end after childhood. Schools should equip children with a lasting enthusiasm for learning and the skills to continue learning long after they leave. Acton Academy's emphasis on self-directed learning accomplishes just that.
Why I Chose Acton
“Acton Academy is on the leading edge of what it means to give students agency of their own learning.”
Education Pioneer, Innovator
& Founder of Khan Academy
- Sal Khan
"One of the most amazing things I have ever seen."
- Sugata Mitra
Computer scientist, educational theorist, & pioneer of self-organized learning environments after observing a student-led Socratic discussion at Acton
“Acton Academy is on the vanguard of change in education. Your first two questions will probably be: 'why couldn't my school be like this?' and 'how can I send my kids to Acton?'”
- Seth Godin
Entrepreneur, author, and teacher
Yes, the school is accredited through the International Association of Learner Driven Schools as part of the broader Acton Academy network.
Is Acton Academy Davidson accredited?
It is our goal to grow into a campus offering studios for K-12 learners. At present, we offer a Sparks Studio for 5- to 7-year-olds. We plan to add additional studios in coming years, expanding the ages we are able to accommodate.
What grades do you offer?
We are right in the heart of Davidson at 241 Walnut Street. Our studio abuts Davidson United Methodist Church’s campus and we enjoy use of the Church’s parking, outdoor, and play facilities.
Where are you located?
