About Us

Academy of Cultural Education

The Academy of Cultural Education (ACE) is a humanities-centered microschool and learning institute that serves as a vibrant hub for homeschoolers, life-skill learners, and students of all ages seeking meaningful, culturally grounded education. Guided by the belief that art leads and culture grows, ACE blends creative arts, world cultures, history, and personal development into a holistic learning experience. Its programs include youth enrichment, cultural literacy, creative workshops, leadership development, and professional CEU/CPD training for adults. Through its emphasis on identity, heritage, creativity, and community, ACE provides a welcoming learning environment where individuals build confidence, develop essential life skills, and grow into culturally aware, empathetic, and empowered learners.

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF KULTURA AND THE
ACADEMY OF CULTURAL EDUCATION

The roots of the Academy of Cultural Education (ACE) trace back to 2011, long before the microschool was founded. On September 25, 2011, an early initiative was launched to promote Baybayin, the ancient writing system of the Philippines, through a Facebook page titled A Primer to the Ancient Filipino Script. This early effort soon evolved into a multimedia and multidisciplinary educational studio founded by Allan Torres Camba—an initiative that would later grow into what is now known as Riverboy Studios.

Beginning in 2015, Allan expanded Riverboy Studios’ reach through cultural lectures and workshops presented to diverse audiences—college students at the University of Washington and Harvard University, as well as elementary and high school students across Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija in the Philippines.

When the global lockdowns began in 2020, Riverboy Studios pivoted online with an impactful lecture, Baybayin: During and Since the Spanish Colonial Period, delivered on May 25, 2020. This event marked the beginning of a new wave of online programming and the formal launch of Kultura Academy, the academic and cultural division of Riverboy Studios. This momentum culminated in the debut of Baybayin 101 Pilot, a three-week course (July 6–24, 2020) featuring 12 lectures offered twice daily. The program drew 961 registrants—approximately 85% of whom were professional educators—and successfully produced 273 alumni, demonstrating Kultura’s expanding influence in cultural literacy and teacher development.

On November 19, 2020, the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) of the Philippines officially approved Riverboy Studios as a Professional Continuing Education (CPD) provider. This approval enabled Kultura Academy to launch Baybayin 101: Agno River in June 2021—the first program in the world authorized to offer recognized CPD units for teaching Baybayin. The course graduated 24 participants, all of whom were professional educators. This milestone strengthened Kultura’s reputation as a respected academic and cultural learning initiative and led to the continued development of its Baybayin 101 and Baybayin 200 programs. In keeping with Kultura Academy’s symbolic tradition, Baybayin 101 iterations are named after Philippine rivers, while Baybayin 200 iterations are named after mountains—reflecting the depth, flow, and grounded growth of cultural learning. To date, Kultura Academy’s Baybayin courses have produced a total of 438 alumni across its various offerings, demonstrating its sustained impact on cultural education and professional development.

By November 2025, Riverboy Studios had taken its next major step by forming Riverboy Studios LLC in Washington State. With this milestone came the creation of the Academy of Cultural Education (ACE)—a microschool and learning center dedicated to cultural studies, the arts, and life-skill development for both youth and adults. Within ACE, Kultura naturally evolved into its formal educational division known as the Kultura Program, continuing its mission of cultural literacy, heritage education, and global awareness.

Alongside Kultura, the Academy also established the Kanvas Program—ACE’s creative arts curriculum focused on visual arts, storytelling, illustration, and creative expression. Together, these two programs form the foundation of ACE’s mission as a hub for homeschoolers, enrichment learners, cultural scholars, and life-skill learners.

From a small Facebook page in 2011 to a fully structured microschool in 2025, the journey of Kultura and the Academy of Cultural Education reflects a continuing commitment to cultural preservation, creative empowerment, and accessible education for all.