At CHOICE, an Acton Academy Independent School, the philosophy is clear: every child is on a Hero’s Journey, a path of self-discovery and growth. By providing a supportive structure that honors freedom, CHOICE empowers students to explore their passions and develop their unique gifts. As the school’s founders believe, “childhood should be a time of preparation, discovery, and joy,” and their approach to education reflects this vision.
When it comes to creating a learning environment that fosters this type of growth, the facility itself plays a crucial role. Mountain West Small Business Finance was proud to be a part of the team that helped bring the CHOICE Education community’s vision to life. By providing the necessary financing, MWSBF enabled the school to build a state-of-the-art facility that supports the Hero’s Journey approach to education.
The new campus, located in Woods Cross, celebrated its grand opening on August 4, 2025, with a Grand Opening Carnival. The 21,600-square-foot facility features a full-size gym, studios, a makerspace, a wood shop, and a music room, all designed to promote collaboration, hands-on learning, and creative exploration.
Curtis Singleton, MWSBF Vice President and Loan Officer, reflected on the experience of working with CHOICE founders JeVonne and Paul Tanner: “The business grew significantly year over year, and they finally reached a point where size was limiting how many students they could have. The community’s demand was evident, so JeVonne and Paul got rolling on the difficult steps of constructing their own space.”
“While the process for an SBA loan can be complex, Paul took the reins and helped us bring it home while JeVonne kept running the school. At the end of the day, they have a beautiful building with a growing school and something I was proud to have been a small part of,” Curtis said.
The Acton model, which CHOICE follows, is a unique approach to education that emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on projects, and community-based collaboration. By providing a supportive environment that encourages creativity and exploration, CHOICE empowers students to take ownership of their education and develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
So what sets CHOICE apart from traditional schools? For starters, the school’s “5 Core Beliefs” provide a framework for the educational experience. These beliefs include the idea that every child is on a Hero’s Journey, that childhood should be a time of preparation, discovery, and joy, and that learning to learn, learn to do, and learn to be are essential skills for success.
- We are all on a hero’s journey. Our choices determine what path our journey takes.
- Childhood is a time of preparation, discovery, and JOY. School should be a time of preparation, discovery, and JOY.
- Learning to Learn, Learning to Do, and Learning to Be are far more important than learning to know.
- Clear thinking leads to wise decisions. Wise decisions result in good habits. Good habits build character. Character determines destiny.
- We believe in freedom: political, economic, and religious freedom.
The story of CHOICE Education began with a simple yet powerful idea: to create a learning environment that empowers children to take ownership of their education. Founded by JeVonne and Paul Tanner, the school has grown from a small startup to a thriving community of learners.
Today, CHOICE Education is a beacon of innovation in the world of education, offering a unique approach to learning that combines self-directed learning, hands-on projects, and community-based collaboration. With its state-of-the-art facility and commitment to empowering students, CHOICE is an exciting example of what’s possible when education is reimagined.
Learn more about the CHOICE Education experience and how you can be a part of this innovative approach to learning.
If you’re interested in learning more about CHOICE Education, visit their website at https://choice-education.org/. And if you’re a small business owner looking to grow your dreams, Mountain West Small Business Finance is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our financing options and how we can support your business goals.
