Student Life at Acera
A Community Woven Through Connection
At Acera, student life is grounded in joy, belonging, and a strong sense of connection.
At the heart of our school is the Commons—a light-filled, open space that every classroom opens onto by design. More than just a gathering place, the Commons is our shared path—alive with movement, conversation, and spontaneous moments of connection as students pass through throughout the day. It’s where students work, create, read, play, collaborate, eat, and simply be together.
This daily rhythm of intersecting experiences shapes our vibrant community. Whether it’s the joy of community meetings, our school-wide traditions, a shared passion for math contests, or mixed-age recess on the Adventure Playground, life at Acera is dynamic, relational, and deeply rooted in knowing—and being known by—one another.
At Acera, math isn’t just a subject—it’s a shared passion. More than 70% of our students participate in math contests each year, not because they have to, but because they love to be challenged, solve problems, and celebrate the joy of mathematical thinking.
Our students take part in a wide range of contests, including Fall and Spring Noetic, AMC 8, AMC 10, AMC 12, Math Kangaroo, and Purple Comet. These events offer more than just competition—they spark curiosity, deepen problem-solving skills, and build confidence. Each contest challenges students with rich problems that require creativity, strategy, and persistence.
Math contests inspire students to value intellectual risk-taking, think critically, and experience the thrill of grappling with tough questions and making insightful breakthroughs. Acera students consistently perform at an exceptional level, often placing in the top 10 in the state—and even earning first-in-the-nation honors. At Acera we cheer on all of our Mathletes—not just for their results, but for their courage, effort, and love of learning.
As part of our continued commitment to celebrating student voice, creativity, and excellence, we are expanding our contest and showcase participation to include the arts and sciences. These opportunities allow students to share their ideas and creations with wider audiences, gain authentic feedback, and see their work as meaningful contributions beyond the classroom.
In addition to joining regional and national competitions, in Spring 2026 we are also launching our first annual Acera Arts Festival & Juried Arts Exhibition—to spotlight the imaginative and interdisciplinary work of our students and invite the broader community into our culture of innovation and expression.
74 students
took the Fall Noetic Math Contest
77 students
took Spring Noetic Math Contest
- Our 4th Grade Team ranked 37th in the nation for the spring Noetic
- Our 6th Grade Team ranked 10th in the nation for the fall noetic
- Our 7th grade team ranked 13th in the nation for the fall Noetic
- 18 students ranked top 10% nationally in fall and spring Noetic
- 11 students ranked among top 10 in MA in fall noetic
- 16 students ranked among top 10 in MA in spring noetic
11 students in the Top 20 in Nation & State
7 students in the Top 10 in State
5 students in the Top 10 in Nation
1 student in the 1st in the Nation & State
All students participate in field trips at Acera fostering real-world connections– visiting local courtrooms for trials, nature preserves for hands-on inquiry, or museums to observe the physics of Rube Goldberg machines in action. All upper school students participate in overnight field trips—from camping at Sturbridge Village, to Farm School, fostering connections in learning and community.
Acera offers an exciting winter adventure through the Acera Ski Club, a program designed to get students outside the classroom and onto the slopes. Over the course of six weeks, students enjoy a dynamic blend of structured lessons and independent skiing, thanks to the partnership with Nashoba Ski. With convenient bus transportation, participants can rent equipment or bring their own. Each session features a one-hour small group lesson and an additional hour of free skiing. This popular program has received enthusiastic student accolades and glowing feedback from parents, making it a winter season highlight!