Tinkuy Marka Academy is an innovative alternative to basic education that launched in 2018 in Lima, Peru, and it is part of the Acton Academy Network.
““Acton Academy is one of the most important education developments in the world.””
What makes Tinkuy Marka different?
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Young people doing challenging work at their own pace.
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Collaborating on real-world projects.
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Earning points for effort and badges for mastery.
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Sharing learning in a tightly bound community.
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Using the latest technology to master reading, writing, languages and math.
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On a Hero’s Journey, with challenges, adventures, fellow travelers and guides.
Do you believe in heroes? We do.
We believe that each child is a hero, capable of the extraordinary, with the ability to change the world in profound ways. We believe that a hero is an ordinary person who sees a need and acts creatively and bravely to shape events to meet that need, not shying away from obstacles to overcome. A hero gets up when she falls down, accepts responsibility, and keeps going when the task is hard. Every hero is on a journey, and must face trials and tests with integrity and purpose in order to live a satisfying and fulfilled life.
““At my other school, I didn’t try hard and I always did well. Here I always have to work hard to do well. That’s the main difference. I think it’s important because in life you’re going to have to push yourself to reach your goals.” ”
Skills and Character to pursue your calling
“Here you are truly free if you work hard. In Tinkuy we are kind and respectful. ”
We help guide children into their destiny by first turning learning upside down. Rather than pursuing the traditional style of learning to know, where children memorize and readily recite rote facts and figures, we believe in learning to learn, learning to do, and learning to be. Our goal is to provide the tools and methods for children to master the art of learning how to learn and to learn how to be in relationship with others. Our philosophy is rooted in the idea that character is integral to a life of meaning
Learning to Be
Nurture a warm-heart and a tough-mind.
Learning to Care
Act with integrity and compassion.
Learning to Learn
Develop the habits of lifelong learning.
Learning to Do
Take on real-world challenges that matter.
“The academic level is good and they respect the pace and process of each Puma.”
Our Active Learning Model
We believe in the 3 C´s of active learning: Core Skills, Collaboration and Citizenship.
Core Skills
Core Skills means mastering reading, writing, math, English at your own pace. These are the competencies that make learning to learn possible. Instead of focusing on tests or grades, we focus on cultivating a love of learning with hands-on work and adaptive software. We use gamification to motivate learning in those areas that generate the most resistance.
Collaboration
Collaboration means developing socially and emotionally through play and work. The Pumas spend time creating things with their hands. We focus on projects with concrete results. What matters is the experience, as they learn from both their successes and failures. Along the way, they solve problems, set goals, support each other and lead their activities while their guides step back and watch.
Citizenship
Citizenship means living in society with respect and responsibility. Tinkuy functions as a miniature civil society. The guides do not exercise authority; that is the purview of the Pumas. They have decision-making power over a number of spheres of Studio life, with plenty of room to make mistakes, learn and correct. The Pumas create their contracts and enforce them. The tribe has the final say, not the adults.
“We believe it is the best adventure we as a family can have.”
STEAM Approach
Science and Technology executed through Engineering and the Arts based on Mathematics
With a transversal STEAM approach, we seek to inspire meaningful learning experiences that will help each hero pursue their calling.
Multi-level Studios enable advanced, complex learning
Internationally valid K-12 certification
Tinkuy works with US University Pathways, a program that allows our Pumas to certify basic education from Kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) in the United States. This is a diploma that is valid and recognized worldwide. The program not only offers certificates that are validated with the activities that the Pumas carry out in Tinkuy, but also provides access to complementary software and courses to be developed by each Puma at their own pace and autonomously. Participation in this program from Middle School onwards through Tinkuy is voluntary and has an additional discounted cost, which can be further reduced with the commitment of the Puma and family to help build an ever larger and stronger learner-driven community.
In addition, as part of the Acton Academy network, Tinkuy is accredited by the International Association of Learner Driven Schools. This gives us recognition internationally.
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Inclusive Language
A society that belongs to all of us
In March 2020, Tinkuy made the decision, as an institution, to use inclusive language with the use of the "e" (in Spanish) in its internal communications. This is a language that our team tries to use (we are still learning), but in no way is it imposed on anyone, neither Pumas nor families, as we respect the preferences of each person, as long as this is done with respect. Our only goal is to contribute to building a world in which we all feel welcome.
“It is an opportunity to build a fairer community, with a horizontal treatment, with emotional responsibility for the other, respect and a lot of active dialogue.”