Academics

High School | 9-12

MUSE High School

At MUSE High School, students play an important role in developing and driving their learning experience. Students’ academic experience is embedded in their passion-based work. This approach enables teachers to guide students as they make connections across academic disciplines that expand and enrich learning and understanding. MUSE’s interdisciplinary approach fosters opportunities to deeply explore and engage in the humanities, mathematics, science, and the arts.
 
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.  

High School Requirements

  • English: Four years of English and one year of a literature elective.
  • Math: Three years of mathematics at the high school level: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus or Calculus
  • Social Studies: Four years of history and social science.
  • World Languages: Two successive years of the same world language.
  • Science: Three years of laboratory science, and one year of a life science or physical science.
  • Arts: One year of visual or performing arts.
 
Additional opportunities and electives include:
  • Math, Literacy, Performing and Visual Arts, Human Rights, Computer Science, Special Interest Electives depending on student interests

Assessment, Standardized Testing and College Admission Exams

Students meet with the High School Director, Advisors, and College Counselor/Internship Coordinator to customize their learning experience and facilitate their preparation for life post-graduation. Faculty advisors and College Counselor/Internship Coordinator works closely with students to ensure that all objectives of the YOUPREP post-secondary guide are met.