Nestled on 22 acres in the Santa Monica Mountains in Calabasas, California, MUSE Global School is an eco-friendly, private school that provides innovative, holistic education to students from early childhood through high school.
“Students thrive within our enchanting outdoor campus that was designed to inspire exploration and creativity,” emphasizes Head of School Suzanne McClure.
The MUSE Five Pillars highlight the foundation of their educational philosophy: Academics, Self-Efficacy, Communication, Sustainability, and Passion-Based Learning.
“Our Five Pillars serve as the educational framework guiding all that we do and all that our students learn,” says McClure, adding that MUSE Global School has created standards—or educational milestones—for each grade within each of the Five Pillars.
For students and parents seeking more than academics when selecting a school, MUSE Global School offers personalized, private education within a community that welcomes and supports each child, as an individual, while preparing them for the demands and challenges of a dynamic and changing world.
“We have a small student/teacher ratio—no more than 16 per class—ensuring your child will receive a customized and unique learning plan giving them time and space to explore passions and interests alongside rigorous core academics,” McClure explains.
Additionally, “our campus is picturesque—located in the Santa Monica Mountains, offering endless adventure for outdoor learning, tranquility and fresh air.”
This inspiring outdoor location has been called “magical” for a reason: “It’s warm, inviting and is our primary classroom.”
“Our students thrive outdoors,” McClure says. “We have safe hiking trails in the Santa Monica Mountains that can be accessed from our campus. Students are so active throughout the day, there’s no need for Physical Education. MUSE’s outdoor education classes and programs include hiking, swimming, team-building games and overnight experiences on and off campus. Our campus is designed for true exploration and adventure.”
In other unique factors, “we bring more to the classroom with weekly specialist courses ranging from seed to table, plant-based cooking, performing and visual arts, along with French and Spanish taught at all grade levels,” McClure says. “Our award-winning chef and her team prepare homemade, plant-based meals for students daily—it’s delicious and directly connected to their learning in the garden. It’s unlike anything you have seen in a school setting.”
Students and parents rave about passion-based learning.
“Students across all grade levels work with their teachers and explore their passions, interests and curiosities. They select a topic of their choice and develop a research project examining core academics and wrapping in elements of all of the Five Pillars,” McClure explains.
For example, if a student is interested in Legos, they explore the history, science, math and social studies, all the while documenting their process and research, becoming mini experts in their chosen topic. Students are engaging through Lego building, the history of Legos and writing about Legos.
“All subjects can be connected and explored through their passions,” McClure says. “Each semester, students present their unique passion project to the entire MUSE community, including administration, teachers, staff, peers and parents. This gives everyone the opportunity to learn about all of our students’ passions and celebrate each and every student.”
Additionally, upper school students are given the opportunity to take part in two service learning trips per year through our Human Rights program.
“We believe these trips give students a new perspective on life and create lasting memories that significantly impact their life,” McClure says. “The most recent trip was an adventure to Guatemala with Mending Kids. Their work included transporting surgical supplies, supporting doctors with intake evaluations, patient prep for surgery, and observing 40-plus ENT procedures.”
MUSE launched in 2006 and has since developed to serve children age 2 through 18. It has grown to be a comprehensive revisualization of how an education system can function to inspire parents and children alike to lead happier, healthier and more successful lives—while also having a positive impact on the sustainability of our planet.
“When Suzy Amis Cameron and James Cameron were inspired to create MUSE, Suzy teamed up with her sister, Rebecca Amis, a past collaborator in child-centered schools, to build a program that was alive and engaging, getting students up on their feet. There was a deep knowing that children are born with a spark and light, curious to learn the wonders of the world. They wanted MUSE to be a school that incorporated a holistic approach to education, an ever-evolving process to explore and innovate, engaging with new research of how children learn—a school that would not be bogged down by the received dogma of traditional models,” McClure explains.
Above all, MUSE Global School’s mission is to equip young people with the tools needed for a lifetime of curiosity.
“With innovative academics, passion-based learning and an emphasis on sustainability, students learn to live consciously with themselves, one another and the planet, all in a dynamic and beautiful learning environment,” McClure says.
If in-person school is not a fit for your family right now, “we offer an amazing distance learning program,” she adds. “Students can enjoy the uniqueness of a MUSE education from their computer. Teachers and peers engage in live instruction daily, go on virtual field trips and interact with students across the globe.”
MUSE Global School also offers rolling admissions. “If your student is looking for a school where they are celebrated as well as a rich and vibrant learning environment, we want to hear from you.”
MUSE Global School is located at 1666 Las Virgenes Canyon Road in Calabasas. For more information, call 818.880.5437 or visit MUSEGlobalSchoolCA.com.