By Ines Kudo
This weekend we closed the cycle of monthly gatherings with international Acton founders in Zone 7. Acton works in tribes, and founders are no exception. Our zone brings together campuses from Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia, East Asia, Oceania and Europe: a vibrant mix of cultures, perspectives, and wisdom.
As I prepared for this final meeting, I found myself reflecting not on numbers first, but on people. On how extraordinary this year has been inside our walls.
This has been Tinkuy’s most peaceful, learner-driven year yet. No dramatic exits. No dragged-on conflicts. Difficulties, yes. Challenges, sure. But above all, joyful, focused growth and a strong culture of trust and respect. Our families have stepped in as true partners, and our guides have leaned courageously into the Acton philosophy: trusting children, letting them own their learning.
I am grateful that the Discovery (elementary) studio transformed from a monolingual environment with reluctant ESL learners into an English-immersion culture. Learners who once complained for not understanding basic instructions now express themselves courageously in English, even at home. What many thought impossible happened in just months, through resourcefulness, effort, and above all, trust.
I am grateful that several Spark (preschool) Pumas stepped into Discovery with autonomy: setting goals, managing time, working independently, communicating in English, and now mentoring others.
I am grateful that we doubled the number of studios. Our new Explorer (nursery) studio welcomed young siblings of older Pumas, giving families the chance to be “all in.” It has also become a beacon of innocence, curiosity, and tenderness that captivates all of our hearts.
I am grateful for the amazing opportunity to guide our new Ascend (Middle School) heroes. These young people are kind, responsible, independent, hard-working, and they deliver excellence beyond their years. The success of Ascend’s first year renewed my conviction in this path we ventured together.
Of course, not everything was smooth or certain. As I prepared for the meeting, I was invited to look honestly at my worries and identify my biggest fear. This year, it was the fear of not growing fast enough. Financial losses reminded me again and again of the urgency of sustainability, and at times the uncertainty felt heavy on my shoulders.
That fear pushed me to change the way we did things. I overcame resistance and became a TikTok creator, invested in social media campaigns, and revamped our campus visits. After all that effort, time, and money, it wasn’t easy to accept that we didn’t reach the goal of ten new learners for next year. Thousands asked for information, 124 learners began auditions, but only three were invited to join so far.
Even when things are harder than expected, I choose faith over fear. Not because the numbers are perfect, but because the culture is. We are becoming the learning community we are meant to be. A community that grows in character and purpose… together.
The next step is to welcome more families who share this vision, so we can secure long-term sustainability and establish Tinkuy as a flagship Acton campus. Growth is happening, even if it's slower than I'd wished.
As I look to the next year, balance is my compass. Strengthening our community while holding learners accountable to their promises. Driving growth while protecting the mission at the heart of Tinkuy.
This year reminded me what truly sustains a campus: not rapid expansion, but deep roots.
And for that, I am profoundly grateful.