MUSE School

MUSE School is a PK–12 co-educational private school in Calabasas, California, United States. It was co-founded by Suzy Amis Cameron and her sister Rebecca Amis in 2006. It operates from two campuses nestled in Malibu Canyon and has been described as the first vegan K–12 school in the country.

MUSE School
Address
1666 Las Virgenes Canyon Road

Calabasas
,
California
91302

United States
Coordinates34°5′37″N 118°42′14″W
Information
TypePrivate school
Established2006 (2006)
Founders
NCES School IDA0990016[1]
Head of schoolJeff King[2]
Teaching staff28.0 (on a FTE basis)[1]
GradesPK–12
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment178 (2017-2018)[1]
Student to teacher ratio6.4[1]
Campuses2
Websitewww.museschool.org

History

MUSE School was co-founded by Suzy Amis Cameron and her sister Rebecca Amis in 2006.[3] The motivation for starting the school is the founders' and their children's[4] lack of satisfaction with the quality of education on offer with particular reference to the environment, in their children's context, and the desire to raise children for whom environmentalism is a way of life.[3] The school was described as a "utopia" in which children learn to respect nature, be happy about diversity.[5] The school built its own grade-level goals to align with the California state standards and centers its education philosophy on academics, passion-based learning, sustainability, communication and self-efficacy. Students and educators work together to build a personalized curriculum based on students' interests and passions. In September, 2019 the school had 205 students from kindergarten to 12th grade.[6]

Seed-to-Table program and transition to a completely plant-based menu

The school has been described as the first vegan K–12 school in the country.[7][8] At the school, students and staff grow fruits and vegetables that are included in its vegan school meals,[9] under a program called Seed-to-Table. Students in each grade learn how to cultivate and pick fruits and vegetables, and to prepare meals from them. Around 200 various plants are grown under the program and the school served entirely plant-based meals one day a week from September 2013. This increased to two days a week in the fall of 2014, plus two days of vegetarian-friendly fare. An exclusively plant-based diet was adopted in the fall of 2015.[10][11]

Facilities

The school operates from two campuses nestled in Malibu Canyon. In May 2015, five solar panel towers, each generating 300 kWh, designed in the shape of sunflowers by James Cameron, were installed on the premises. These provide 75 to 100 percent of the schools electricity requirement, depending upon incident solar radiation and demand.[12]

Controversy

In 2014, a National Labor Relations Board ruling criticised the school's employer confidentiality policy and declared it illegal.[13]

References
  1. "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for MUSE SCHOOL CA". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  2. "Head of School Welcome". Muse School CA. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  3. Andriakos, Jacqueline (February 27, 2015). "James Cameron Announces His Wife's Private School Is Going Vegan". People. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  4. Washor, Elliot; Mojkowski, Charles (October 11, 2013). Leaving to Learn: How Out-of-School Learning Increases Student Engagement and Reduces Dropout Rates. Urban Fox Studios. ISBN 9780325050720.
  5. Harrington, Maureen (March 6, 2010). "Muse school is actress' brainchild". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  6. Krantz, Matt (September 24, 2019). "Local Schools Embracing Sustainability". L.A. Parent. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  7. Feinsinger, Greg (January 6, 2016). "Doctor's tip: Word getting out about plant-based diets". Glenwood Springs Post Independent. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  8. Kirkova, Deni (November 12, 2015). "Director James Cameron's wife opened first all-vegan school as he filmed Avatar". Metro. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  9. Muelrath, Lani (September 15, 2015). The Plant-Based Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide for Transitioning to a Healthy Lifestyle and Achieving Your Ideal Weight. BenBella Books, Inc. ISBN 9781942952091.
  10. Popkin, Helen A.S. (February 26, 2015). "'Titanic' director's wife terminates meat from school lunch menu". Today. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  11. Erbentraut, Joseph (March 5, 2015). "America Is About To Get Its First All-Vegan School Cafeteria For Kids". HuffPost. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  12. Giardina, Carolyn (May 18, 2015). "James Cameron, Suzy Amis Cameron Unveil 'Solar Sun Flowers' Project". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
  13. Snider, Esq., Brett (September 11, 2014). "James Cameron Can't Tell Elementary School Workers to Shut Up". Celebrity Justice. FindLaw. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
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