Primerly field report

Forge: An Acton Academy

a private school in Newberg

K–8 · Private · Progressive · Micro School

Camp Tilikum, 15321 NE North Valley Rd, Newberg · Matt & Brittani Johnson

Forge is a small, independent microschool in Newberg, Oregon, operating as part of the global Acton Academy network, a learner-driven model built around the idea that children are capable of directing their own education when given the right environment and tools. The school is housed at Camp Tilikum, a retreat center on the outskirts of Newberg, and uses an old Valley View schoolhouse as its primary studio space. Students ages 5–14 are grouped into three studios: Spark (ages 5–7), Explorers (ages 7–12), and Navigators (ages 12–14).

Rather than a teacher-led classroom, each day is structured around a morning Socratic discussion, a two-hour core skills block for self-paced reading, math, and writing, an afternoon quest (a 3–6 week team-based project culminating in a public exhibition), and recurring electives taught by teenagers in the community, ranging from carpentry and 3D modeling to art and dance. Students set their own goals, track their own progress, and are responsible for maintaining their studio space. Founded in 2023 by Matt and Brittani Johnson, Forge is still in its early growth phase, with plans to expand toward a dedicated campus for up to 150 students.

Tuition: $5,750 (2026-2027)

Address: Camp Tilikum, 15321 NE North Valley Rd, Newberg, OR 97132. Phone: (971) 353-4704. Website: forgeacton.com.

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The basics

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A day here

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Your odds in the lottery

Seats here aren’t first-come; they’re drawn by lottery. Each circle below is a tenth of the families who applied over the last two springs and stayed in the running (didn’t take a higher-ranked school). Filled circles got a yes.

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Official PPS lottery results, 2025-26 & 2026-27 combined: offers made ÷ families still in the running (offered + waitlisted); applications cancelled for a higher-ranked school excluded. pps.net › prior transfer data. Slots reset every year.
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