During the recent Upper School Elective Pitches, a common question emerged from our students: “How much homework?” Teachers’ responses were consistent: “Don’t worry about the homework—choose the classes that interest you the most.”
At Acera, homework is approached with intention. Some Upper School classes have homework, while others do not. When homework is assigned, it typically takes about 10–15 minutes per class and is designed to extend learning in meaningful ways. This might include math problems, readings, home science experiments, or drafting various types of writing. Recently, my inbox has been filled with homework from Room 8 students, persuasive essays passionately advocating for how Acera should approach overnight field trip experiences as part of forming meaningful traditions. Homework at Acera gives students the chance to continue their learning at their own pace in a supportive way. Teachers often remind students, “If you’re stuck on a task for more than 15 minutes, stop and let us know.” We believe time spent on homework should be positive, productive, and never overwhelming, allowing students to fully engage in the other important facets of their lives outside of school.
Unlike many schools, our approach to homework is not dictated by a daily calendar or a set amount of work but by the specific needs of each class and student. This reflects our foundational philosophy: respecting each learner’s individuality and aligning with research on what gifted students need to thrive.
Why Limited Homework? A Balanced Approach to Homework & Life. At Acera, we embrace an intentionally balanced approach to homework. Guided by research and advocacy from organizations like the National PTA, we focus on the benefits of homework, while avoiding its common pitfalls. Research consistently highlights the critical role of sleep in children’s cognitive development, emotional well-being, and overall health, yet many schools with 3+ hours of homework unintentionally compromise this essential need; at Acera, we prioritize balance to ensure students can get the recommended 9–12 hours of sleep for ages 6–12 and 8–10 hours for teens.
One of the most effective ways to support academic growth at home is through regular reading.
Looking for Academic Tasks at home? Try 20+ Minutes of Daily Reading! We encourage all students—and ideally everyone in our community—to read for at least 20 minutes a day. Research shows that regular reading, particularly when shared as a family activity, builds foundational skills for all children, especially our youngest learners. This reading can take many forms: silent reading, reading aloud, listening to others read, or reading in smaller chunks throughout the day.
Value of Free Time. We know that free time outside of school is precious, especially for gifted children. Homework at Acera is designed to extend learning into the home without becoming busy work. We want to ensure that students have time for downtime, play (at all ages), quality sleep, family connection, and the pursuit of individual passions.
Research underscores the importance of unstructured time, particularly for gifted learners. Play fosters creativity, problem-solving, and social skills. Play advocates like David Elkind, Richard Louv, Alfie Kohn, and Peter Gray emphasize that free play is essential for cognitive and emotional development. As Elkind reminds us, “Playtime is imagination time = genius time.”
The Role of Family Time. Family time is equally important. Research shows that even 25 minutes a day of shared family activities—whether it’s a meal, a walk, a board game, or service work—makes a meaningful difference in a child’s well-being. Reciprocal conversations, in particular, have a profound impact on brain development, as highlighted by MIT researchers. Angela Duckworth, a leading voice in character and social-emotional development, has also championed the importance of family connection and conversation in fostering thriving children.
At Acera, we view these moments—both structured and unstructured—as essential parts of a child’s growth and development. We are grateful for the partnership of our families in supporting this holistic approach.
Here’s a Homework Assignment for Y’all: Thinking back to your own schooling, what was a fun or impactful homework experience for you? Please share it with us!
Enjoy,
Heather
Heather Pinedo-Burns is the Associate Head of School at Acera.
