Museum School Collaborative

The Museum School is a high-performing, tuition-free, public charter school that serves students from all over San Diego in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

The Museum School offers a robust and diverse curriculum that encourages students to become independent thinkers; self-directed learners; problem solvers; creative, healthy individuals; productive workers; and responsible citizens! With a focus on active learning experiences, our students engage in their studies through projects, study trips and arts-based programming that enhances the rigorous core curriculum of Math, Science and Language Arts. We are especially proud to be able to offer this diverse curriculum at a time in education when so many of these experiences are considered extracurricular—and have been cut from traditional public schools.

In addition, since its inception in 1998, the Museum School has worked closely with museums, businesses and educational institutions to expand learning opportunities for all of our students. In doing so, our students’ educations extend well beyond the classroom, opening doors to new ideas and extensive opportunities. Utilizing museum galleries, zoo exhibits, and restaurant kitchens as temporary classrooms, our students gain an insight not available in any text book, making connections that are relevant and readily accessible.

If you visit the Museum School on a typical week, you will find kids engaged in a huge variety of activities, including:

• Learning foundational skills of literacy, math, science and social skills
• Immediately applying those skills in Department classes such as: Creative Writing, Drama, Zoology, Marine Science, Community Service and Kitchen Science
• Working with artists and museums on various art and community service projects
• Researching and collaborating on student laptops
• Participating in a weekly field trip
• Visiting high schools and universities
• Visiting research labs at Scripps Oceanography
• Cooking with organic foods
• Visiting local restaurants and farms
• Publishing personal and creative stories
• Exercising in Balboa Park
• Sewing toys or clothes
• Performing gamelan music and Indian tabla
• Presenting department projects to the entire school community
• Working with seniors on community projects
• Attending democratic school meetings to discuss the successes and challenges of the school, and provide suggestions for improvement

Through all of the above, our students become well-rounded and academically challenged citizens. The school's success can be seen in multiple measures:

• API Score of 886 
• Academic Statewide Ranking of 9 out of 10
• Ranked in Top 5 Charter Schools in San Diego Unified
• The School's Charter Unanimously Renewed for 4 Terms
• Waitlist of Over 350 Applicants for 30-40 Spots Annually

It is a true gift to be able to enhance our students’ academics through opportunities that give them the skills to be engaged thinkers and active citizens.

Open to all students, the Museum School serves students from all over the city and has a percentage of students who qualify for Special Education that is well above the state average. By working closely with individual students, the Museum School is proud of its efforts to reach each and every child's needs.