About
Acton Academy Northstar is an innovative, accredited, learner-driven Christian school, for learners ages 5-10 (with expansion plans through high school). Our mission is that every child who enters our doors will find their God-given calling that changes the world. The young heroes of Acton are learning modern day skills like servant leadership, entrepreneurial mindset, grit and perseverance, critical thinking, and social intelligence. We use Socratic discussions, hands-on projects, and adaptive technology to empower learners to lead their own educational experience. With a tight-knit community, we realize that each child is brimming with potential, endowed with a unique set of passions, gifts, and interests, and capable of far more than we could ever imagine!
Our Heroes Journey
We are Jake and Kaylene Danielson, and along with our son Blake, we are honored to be part of the community and to introduce Acton Academy Northstar.
Our Hero’s Journey began as Blake approached Kindergarten and we started exploring every educational path—public, private, and homeschooling. Like your family, we simply wanted a joyful, curious childhood to be nurtured through learning. We wondered if a traditional approach would continue to fuel his passion, independence, grit, and love for discovering God’s world.
When we found Acton Academy, something clicked. We were immediately drawn to the idea of each child as a hero on a unique God-given journey, supported by a community that values curiosity, responsibility, and deep character. The standards of excellence are high, and success isn’t about worksheets or memorizing facts—it’s about growth, ownership, and finding one’s calling.
The moment we discovered Acton, we knew it was everything we had hoped for… and more. And as we learned more, we felt a clear calling to bring this incredible model to SE Minnesota—not only for our son, but for other like-minded families searching for the right fit for their children.
With our entrepreneurial background and a heart for this community, we stepped forward in faith and opened Acton Academy Northstar. We cannot wait to partner with families to create a rich blend of individuality, curiosity, community, and Christ-centered purpose.
We invite you to join us on this journey, and we look forward to walking alongside your family as your child discovers their God-given calling.
Please contact us at admin@actonnorthstar.org if you want to learn more about starting your own Hero's Journey with Acton Academy Northstar
Meet The Team
Kaylene Danielson
Kaylene Danielson serves as the Head of School at Acton Academy Northstar and is a proud parent of a young learner within the Acton community. Her journey into education grew from a deep desire to create an environment where children can grow in curiosity, confidence, and purpose—supported by a community that values faith, character, and independent thinking.
Kaylene brings more than 10 years of experience in corporate training, where she developed expertise in leadership development, communication, and building effective systems that help people thrive. She also spent five years in real estate, strengthening her skills in service, meaningful connection, and understanding the needs of local families. Alongside her husband, Jake, she has partnered in several business ventures, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, resilience, and community-building.
When Kaylene and Jake first learned about the Acton Academy network, everything clicked. They knew immediately it was something they wanted to bring to the SE Minnesota area—a Christ-centered, learner-driven model that aligned perfectly with their values and their vision for their son and for families in the community. This calling sparked their family’s own Hero’s Journey to launch Acton Academy Northstar.
Kaylene is passionate about supporting small and local businesses, building thriving and interconnected communities, and living with intention and purpose. She loves organization, continual learning, and creating environments where children are empowered to take ownership of their growth.
At Acton Academy Northstar, Kaylene blends her professional experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and heart for families to help create a school where every child is encouraged to discover their God-given calling with confidence, character, and joy.
