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Altus 21: An Acton Academy

Romania, Ploiesti

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The school at a glance
Fees RON 6,960
Ages 5 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 2021
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Languages
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Middle School, High School
Introduction

ALTUS 21: An Acton Academy in Ploiești is a private, accredited school within Acton Academy network, delivering an American-style, bespoke curriculum. The school serves students aged 5 to 18 and guides them toward autonomy, responsibility, and real-world readiness. Learning unfolds in four stages—SPARK (5–8), DISCOVERY (8–12), ADVENTURE (12–15, opening soon), and LAUNCHPAD (15–18, to open in the future)—with students driving their own pace. Core activities center on six real-world team projects each year (5–7 weeks), covering topics such as entrepreneurship, architecture, citizenship, marine science, and Edison's Lab, culminating in public exhibitions. Instruction blends project work with the Socratic Method, books, and hands-on activities, supported by adaptive tools like Duolingo and Khan Academy and by guided use of Google Drive and Canva. ARACIP recognizes ALTUS 21 as operating on Romanian territory, enabling diploma recognition and SAT use for college admissions. Founder Iulian Șerban leads a culture of self-direction and portfolio development.

The Essentials

Location
Ploiești, Romania.

Stages
SPARK 5-8 years; DISCOVERY 8-12 years; ADVENTURE 12-15 years (opening soon); LAUNCHPAD 15-18 years (opening in the future).

Type
Private, alternative, accredited school.

Additional learning support
Individualized support from guides; access to modern adaptive educational platforms (e.g., Duolingo, Khan Academy) and a technology-enabled learning environment.

Country affiliation
American school under the Acton Academy network, recognized by ARACIP as operating on Romanian territory.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is governed by Asociația Altus 21 (CUI 44311432) and is located at 166 Republicii Boulevard, Ploiești. Altus 21: An Acton Academy is accredited by IALDS and is registered with ARACIP as an international school in Romania; students have the right to diploma recognition and recognition of study periods under the same conditions as students who studied in the United States, and SAT may be used for university admissions.
Fees

Annual tuition at Altus 21: An Acton Academy ranges from RON 6,960 for 2026/27.

Application fees
- No separate application or registration fee is charged. The admissions process begins with a free parent presentation and may include a one-week in‑studio trial for the applicant.

Tuition fees (2026–2027) — by year group and billing
- The school charges a single standard tuition rate across its current year groups (Spark, Discovery and the planned Adventure/Launchpad programs). The standard rate for the 2026–2027 academic year is EUR 580 per month, per child. The tuition is an annual charge divided into 12 equal monthly payments (annual total: EUR 6,960).
- Community contribution discount: families who meet the community participation requirements receive a 10% credit; the discounted monthly amount is EUR 522 (given on the site as approximately 2,700 LEI/month), applied across the 12 monthly payments.
- Sibling discount: a 30% discount is applied for a sibling (the site indicates the resulting monthly amount is approximately 1,900 LEI, which already reflects the community contribution credit where applicable).
- Early/full‑year payment discount: a 5% discount is available for payment in advance for the full year.
- Financial aid: a limited number of access scholarships are available and are arranged individually during the admissions process.

Per‑term / per‑session amounts and academic calendar
- The school states the annual tuition is split into 12 monthly instalments rather than charged per traditional term. The academic year runs approximately from September to July and is organised into thematic sessions; using the annual figure (EUR 6,960) and the school's structure of six thematic sessions, the approximate cost per session would be EUR 1,160 (calculated from the published monthly/annual amounts and the stated session structure).

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing: the annual tuition is divided into 12 equal monthly payments. Invoices are issued electronically as fiscal invoices and transmitted by email following reservation/purchase. Reservations and purchases are confirmed through the site's booking flow.
- Discounts are applied as described above (community contribution credit, sibling discount, 5% advance‑payment discount).

Boarding fees
- Boarding is not provided. The daily on‑site programme runs 8:45–16:00 (Fridays to 15:00) with an optional extension to 17:30; meals are prepared by families and brought from home. There are no boarding or residential fees.

Other costs and fees
- The standard tuition includes equipment and studio materials listed by the school (core‑skills equipment such as a laptop where applicable, access to learning platforms, materials for projects, guided mentorship, access to a two‑week summer programme, parent workshops, art studio access and similar items).
- Not included in the tuition: excursions, camps, transport, optional external activities and the optional extended programme to 17:30; these are charged separately when applicable. Meals are not provided by the school and are the responsibility of the family.

Refund / cancellation
- A purchaser has the right to withdraw from a paid service and request a refund within 14 working days from the date of payment, in accordance with the applicable consumer protection ordinance. If services have a defined start date, the purchaser must notify the school at least 3 working days before the start date to exercise the unilateral withdrawal right without penalty. The 14‑working‑day period begins on the payment date.

Fee payment options
- Payments can be made through the site's purchasing/reservation flow; the school accepts card payments processed via Netopia (MobilPay) and issues electronic fiscal invoices by email following purchase. The reservation/payment process and invoice delivery are handled through the site's booking/payment workflow.
Academics

Altus 21: An Acton Academy teaches American Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum for students aged 5 to 18.

Curriculum
ALTUS 21: An Acton Academy is a private, accredited school in Ploiești where children learn to become autonomous, responsible, and prepared for the real world. The Acton Academy model emphasizes curiosity, initiative, and self-directed learning through project work and the Socratic Method. The educational journey spans ages 5 to 18 in four stages: SPARK (5-8), DISCOVERY (8-12), ADVENTURE (12-15, opening soon), and LAUNCHPAD (15-18, to open in the future). Students complete at least six real-world team projects per year (each 5-7 weeks) to develop collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking. Core skills are pursued at individual pace using books, hands-on activities, and adaptive platforms such as Duolingo and Khan Academy, with guidance on responsible technology use via Google Drive tools and Canva. The school fosters a student-led community where learners set rules for behavior and interaction and become directors of their lives through self-directed learning and project work.

Higher Education Progression
ALTUS 21 is recognized by the Ministry of Education through ARACIP as an American school in Romania. Students have the right to recognition of diplomas and periods of study on the same terms as students who studied in the United States. For university admission, at the end of high school, students can take the SAT exam, which can be equated with the baccalaureate.
Parent Experience

History
ALTUS 21: An Acton Academy is a private, alternative, accredited school in Ploiești where children learn to become autonomous, responsible, and prepared for the real world. The Acton Academy educational model is very different from traditional schooling, with curiosity, initiative, and taking responsibility as the motor of learning. ALTUS 21 is part of the Acton Academy global network, a community of over 300 schools founded by entrepreneurial parents who believe in an innovative educational approach. Iulian Șerban is the founder, and the school began on September 20, 2021 with the primary Discovery cycle. The school is recognized by the Ministry of Education through ARACIP as an American school on Romanian territory, allowing diploma recognition and the SAT being usable for college admissions.

Community
ALTUS 21 has an international community of over 300 founders and guides experienced in applying the Acton Academy model. The school is based in Ploiești at Republicii Boulevard 166. Learning is guided by the Socratic method, with guides asking questions to provoke thinking, and rules of behavior are created and displayed in studios, continually refined by students. Students work on projects in teams, and results are presented in public exhibitions, reinforcing collaboration, leadership, and real-world applicability. Discovery visits are offered to families as part of engaging the broader community.
Facilities

Academic Facilities
ALTUS 21 uses modern educational platforms. For basic competencies (reading, writing, mathematics, foreign languages, etc.), each child achieves objectives at their own pace. They learn to read with preferred books and interactive games that support progress from their own initiative. They learn to write through sensory and engaging elements and to calculate using Montessori-type manipulatives. As students advance, they access modern and adaptive educational platforms integrated with gamification (Duolingo, Khan Academy, etc.). These make learning more engaging and interactive, with individualized support from guides.

Extra Curricular Facilities
These rules are displayed in the studio and revised constantly, guiding students to collaborate harmoniously. We believe students learn more when they take responsibility for their own learning process and for interactions within the community. Students develop self-learning skills that will guide them for life, learning to manage their learning, set goals, and find creative solutions. At ALTUS 21, we focus on character formation and self-discipline, teaching children to develop integrity, perseverance and to learn from failures. During the school year, they participate in at least six team projects on topics such as entrepreneurship, architecture, citizenship, marine science, and Edison's Lab, lasting five to seven weeks, with results presented in public exhibitions.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school focuses on 21st‑century skills—critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Learning emphasizes practical application and developing curiosity and perseverance through real‑world projects, with foundational skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and foreign languages advanced via modern educational platforms (Duolingo, Khan Academy) and guided self‑management. The Socratic method is used, with guides posing questions to stimulate thinking rather than giving direct solutions. Six team projects per school year, each lasting five to seven weeks, address topics such as entrepreneurship, architecture, citizenship, marine science, and Edison's Lab, with students taking active roles and presenting results in public exhibitions.

Arts & Creative
Team projects apply directly to fields including science, entrepreneurship, and arts. Students work in groups to develop creativity and collaborative skills through interdisciplinary projects. Artistic pursuits are integrated into project work as part of real‑world exploration. Guides support creative expression and critical thinking through project‑based learning.

Leadership & Professional
Launchpad is a high‑school program oriented toward autonomy and personal direction, where youths build their portfolios, develop entrepreneurial skills, and prepare for university or career. Students take control of their learning environment and help establish shared rules of behavior to support collaboration. Guides guide and support students, inspiring them and helping them develop self‑directed learning skills. The program emphasizes leadership and practical readiness for adulthood through project work and portfolio development.
Admissions

Admissions
Enrollment is open for primary cycle students aged between 6 and 10 years throughout the school year. Before enrollment it is important to understand the Acton Academy methodology, and the first step consists of enrolling in a parent presentation by completing the form below. Let's get to know each other: sign up for the parent presentation. The educational journey at Altus 21 (5–18 years) is structured on four development stages: SPARK (5–8 years) – early years of school, a warm and structured environment where children develop autonomy and work habits and enjoy learning through guided play, projects, and exploration; DISCOVERY (8–12 years) – upper primary cycle, children consolidate core skills and begin working on more complex projects, developing responsibility, collaboration and communication; ADVENTURE (12–15 years, opening soon) – middle school, adolescents discover interests and set personal goals, working on interdisciplinary projects that prepare them for real-world challenges; LAUNCHPAD (15–18 years, opening in the future) – high school, a program oriented toward autonomy and personal direction, where students build a portfolio, develop entrepreneurial skills, and prepare for university or a career. For university admission, at the end of high school, students can take the SAT, which can be equated with the Baccalaureate. A Discovery Visit can be requested to learn more about Altus 21. Schedule an informational call and start the enrollment process today.
School Events
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