Blog: Mariposa School of Global Education

In Las Virgenes Unified School district we have a wonderful diversity of program offerings for our students.  Some of the examples are the International Baccalaureate program at Agoura High School, the Film and Media Academy at Calabasas, The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Academy and Dual Immersion at Sumac, and the Waldorf Inspired Alternative School Mariposa located on the Sumac campus just off of Kanan Road.  

A little about Mariposa: Their Mission is to create a learning environment in a public school setting where social-emotional and academic development are equally valued and viewed as integral predictors of our children's success. We will strive to instill in our children the value of a global education, including world studies and environmental education, in a place where visual and performing arts are basic ingredients. All the while, we will preserve the sanctity of childhood and individuality through a developmental, experiential and standards-based curriculum that fosters creativity in teaching and learning.

Mariposa is grounded upon six primary tenets which include: 1) Global Education 2) Social-Emotional Development 3) A Developmental Approach 4) Integration of Movement and Art 5) Project-Based Learning and 6) Parent Participation. Elements of these are exhibited daily on their campus. Their students begin everyday with a handshake and take an active part in their own education. The staff and parents at Mariposa also believe strongly that a child's education begins at home and that it is only through a strong partnership between home and school that we can meet the educational needs of our students.

The included video was completed by John LeMay, a parent at Mariposa, and illustrates the importance of the school garden and connections to nature to the program.