High School | 9-12

Students engage in a range of learning activities that deepen their critical thinking skills by connecting learning to real world problem solving. Internships, mentorships, dual enrollment in college courses, service learning activities, and independent study opportunities support the experiential learning program.

In ninth grade, students can expect exploratory conversations about college, gap years, or other post-MUSE experience. By tenth grade, students are encouraged to think more specifically about what their future academic/career interests might be, and to learn about different kinds of higher education, work, or travel opportunities, while they explore their interests through meeting practioners/experts in their chosen field. The College Counselor discusses options in test taking, academic or service-related summer programs, and invites students to attend college fairs and presentations at MUSE given by visiting college representatives. In eleventh grade, a focus is placed on researching details (student to faculty ratio, internships available, college "culture," etc.) of eight to ten schools and on visiting campuses (with counselor or parents) if possible. MUSE provides college visits to students in the eleventh and twelfth grade, traveling as far as San Francisco, San Diego, and elsewhere. The College Counselor is available year-round to talk with students and parents about any aspect of post-MUSE planning, from UC requirements to essay-writing, from test-taking strategies to finding the right gap-year program. Further, the College Blog, addresses these subjects and many more.