At Monterey Bay Charter School, learning is designed to move beyond the classroom. Serving students from TK through eighth grade, the school offers a public charter education grounded in Waldorf principles, blending rigorous academics with creativity, experiential learning, and deep attention to each child’s developmental needs.
1. EDUCATING THE WHOLE CHILD
Monterey Bay Charter School’s curriculum is rooted in a holistic philosophy that recognizes students as intellectual, emotional, and creative beings. Teachers focus on nurturing each child’s gifts while supporting challenges in developmentally appropriate ways.
“This education is based on a really coherent picture of the human being — a holistic picture,” Liz Beaven, Executive Director of the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education. “We try to educate the whole child and support capacity building so their gifts can really be available to them.”
That approach allows students to thrive in multiple ways. When academic challenges arise, creativity, movement, and hands-on engagement offer additional paths to understanding. “If a student is challenged in academics, there are other means of engagement in school and students grow exponentially in their confidence and ability to express themselves. As a result, Monterey Bay Charter School is a high performing charter school.” says Jessica Guzzi, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Charter School.
2. A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS
Experiential learning extends far beyond campus through integrated field trips that bring classroom lessons to life. From farming and geology to astronomy and California history, students deepen their understanding by experiencing subjects firsthand.
“Our field trip philosophy is a classroom without walls,” explains Jessica Guzzi, Executive Director of Monterey Bay Charter School. “Something they’ve learned in the classroom is something they’re going to go and experience in the world.”
As students grow older, these experiences culminate in group challenges designed to build teamwork, resilience, and community. Whether hiking, backpacking, or rafting, eighth-grade students face meaningful challenges together as they prepare for high school and beyond.
3. LEARNING BY DOING
Classrooms at Monterey Bay Charter are designed to invite students into the learning process. Lessons are interactive and student-driven, encouraging curiosity and ownership of knowledge.
“We invite our students into the lesson,” Natalie Croft, MBCS Teacher “If they don’t actually touch it and drive that lesson with me, it doesn’t live in them.”
A key component of this approach is the use of main lesson books, where students synthesize what they’ve learned through writing and illustration. “Those blank pages become a time capsule,” the teacher shares. “They have to illustrate their own page and apply what they’ve learned.”
Over time, this practice strengthens both academic skills and creativity. “My students have become exceptional writers because they write with every lesson,” the teacher adds, “but they also have to remember what they’ve seen or felt in order to illustrate it.”
4. TEACHER DEDICATION AND LASTING IMPACT
Families consistently note the dedication of Monterey Bay Charter School’s teachers and the lasting impact of their guidance. Long time MBCS parent, Stefanie Kortman, “School prepared my older children for high school and college by providing a diverse academic environment that also had a lot of creative expression in it.”
Another parent shared the joy of seeing learning take root at home: “When my child comes home happy and excited to come back to school, that means everything.” Rodrigo Nieto Gómez.
LOOKING AHEAD
As Monterey Bay Charter School works toward unifying its campus for all TK–8 students, its mission remains focused on inspiring joyful learning and courageous living. By centering education on relationships, creativity, and real-world experiences, the school continues to shape confident, capable learners prepared for the challenges ahead.
The lottery application for enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year is open from November 3, 2025 through February 25, 2026. School tours are available. Interested families can apply at: www.mbayschool.org
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