Our Story

Sanctuary Academy of Dewitt is a uniquely beautiful and authentically Catholic hybrid program, where people of all faiths are welcome and encouraged to join us on our hero’s journeys! We’re located in the heart of Dewitt, Michigan on the beautiful 95 acre property of the St. Francis Retreat Center. There are many opportunities for experiencing nature, peace, and spiritual encounters throughout the day in our program.

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Our environment is an affiliate of Acton Academy, which originated in Austin, Texas. Lord Acton (1834-1902) was a Victorian scholar of Freedom who saw liberty not as a license to do what one wishes, but as the freedom to do what is right.  Acton Academy embraces an educational model that "turns learning upside down".  Freedoms, rights and responsibilities are entrusted to learners as they are immersed in hands-on, real-world experiences.

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Our heroes at Sanctuary Academy engage their bodies, minds and souls in learning. We weave Catholic spirituality into our days together, and embrace all faith conversations and questions in an effort of seeking truth.  We believe that human beings are relational and desire to build a community of families that focus on the following six relationship areas of a whole, healthy person: Our relationship with God & Heaven, Others, Ourselves, Our Bodies, Nature and Academics. We address the whole person by emphasizing these six relationship areas in the studio and through this the heroes learn to BE, learn to DO, and learn to LEARN. With this whole person approach, we focus on journeying with children and their families as we prepare together for eternal life!