Our Why

I started Apollo Academy because we couldn’t find the kind of school we wanted for our own child.

Like many parents, we believed our daughter was capable of more than what traditional education seemed to offer. We wanted an environment that would nurture her curiosity, build her confidence, and help her grow into an independent, capable human- not just a good student.

But as we explored our options, something didn’t sit right.

Too much of school felt focused on compliance, grades, and keeping pace, rather than truly understanding, thinking deeply, or developing real-world skills. We weren’t looking for a place that simply delivered information—we were looking for a place that would help our child learn how to learn, how to think, and how to navigate life.

So we kept searching.

That search led us to Acton Academy—a model built on a simple but powerful belief:
children are far more capable than we think.

We saw a different kind of learning environment—one where learners take ownership, work at their own pace, collaborate, solve real problems, and grow in both skill and character.

There was just one problem:
it didn’t exist in South Tampa.

So I built it.

Apollo Academy was created not just for our daughter, but for families like ours—families who want more than worksheets and test prep… families who believe their children are capable of something greater.

Today, Apollo is a community of like-minded families on this journey together—raising curious, independent, and confident learners who are prepared not just for school, but for life.

This isn’t just a different kind of school.
It’s the school we wished existed—and now it does.

~ Beth Ann Valavanis, Founder