Threefold Schoolhouse is a non-traditional, learner-driven independent school in Mechanicsburg, PA, created for families seeking a more personalized and meaningful approach to education.
As an affiliate of Acton Academy, we are part of a global network of schools redefining what an independent day school can be—placing ownership, curiosity, and real-world readiness at the center of learning.
Our Story
Threefold didn’t being with a plan to start a school—it began with a search.
Like many families, we experienced just about every educational path available: public schools, private schools, homeschooling, and everything in between. But no one fully aligned with what we wanted for our children.
Charissa Mitchell, our CEO and Head of School, and her husband Charles, along with Katherine and Tim Clymer, local business owners and parents—shared that same question: Is there a better way to educate our kids?
That search led us to Acton Academy and Laura Sandefer’s book Courage to Grow. What we found was a model that deeply resonated—not just academically, but philosophically, with our vision for our families and our community.
At its core, it reflected three things we wanted for our children:
To grow in wonder
To grow in community
To grow to serve the world around them
When we saw what was possible, we knew we had to bring it to Mechanicsburg, PA. Threefold Schoolhouse began in 2019 with a simple mission: to create a place where young people are known, challenged, and empowered to take ownership of their learning.
What Makes Threefold Different
We are built on a learner-driven model where students:
Take ownership of their education
Progress through mastery, not time
Engage in real-world, project-based work
Instead of focusing only on grades, we focus on developing confident, capable individuals prepared for life beyond the classroom.
Our Approach to Learning
Our model combines:
Self-directed learning that builds independence and initiative
Mastery-based learning that ensures true understanding
Project based learning that connects academics to real-world application
This approach allows learners to move at their own pace while developing critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that last far beyond school.
Our Community & Mission
Threefold Schoolhouse is a community of learners, families, and guides who believe education should be active, meaningful, and rooted in purpose.
We believe children are capable of more than traditional school models allow—and that when they are given responsibility, they rise to meet it.
Our mission is simple: to equip young people to live meaningful, purposeful lives.
Visit Threefold Schoolhouse
The best way to understand Threefold is to experience it.
Come meet our community, explore our studios, and see how we’re redefining what an independent school in Mechanicsburg, PA can be.
Schedule your visit today!