To inspire a life-long love of learning through enrichment programs that stimulate intellectual promise, awaken individual creativity, and foster academic achievement.
For over 65 years, The Lyceum of Monterey County has empowered local students through hands-on, high-impact educational programs. Each year, we offer opportunities like Mock Trial, Model United Nations, History Day, Spelling Bee, and the Expanding Your Horizons STEM Conference and Career Fair—experiences that go far beyond the classroom.
These programs invite students to explore complex topics through in-depth research, public speaking, and teamwork, culminating in dynamic competitions and conferences. Along the way, they build critical life skills: confidence, leadership, collaboration, and the ability to think on their feet. Many students discover new passions or even career paths they never imagined for themselves. Just as importantly, they connect with peers from diverse schools and backgrounds, creating a lasting sense of community and shared purpose.
Your support helps make these transformative experiences accessible to students across Monterey County—regardless of their background or school.
The Lyceum has been serving Monterey County for over 60 years, offering high-quality, project-based educational programs that are open to students from across the entire county. We partner with schools and families to provide enriching academic experiences that many students wouldn't otherwise have access to.
Our programs—such as Mock Trial, Model United Nations, and History Day—are rigorous, multi-month experiences that build critical life skills including teamwork, public speaking, conflict resolution, and research. Students engage deeply with topics like law, history, and global affairs, working toward capstone events like conferences and competitions where they interact with peers, educators, and professional mentors.
These nationally and internationally recognized programs are proven to increase academic engagement, leadership skills, and college and career readiness. By providing these opportunities to students from every corner of Monterey County, The Lyceum helps cultivate informed, confident, and connected young leaders who strengthen our community as a whole.
Monterey County Mock trial is the most student-centered activity there is. During a trial, students are on their own. Coaches have no role. There are no timeouts, no huddles, and no subs. The students must handle the unexpected. Put another way, what happens in mock trial can’t be done in a classroom. That’s enough to recommend the program. But it's much more. Mock trial teaches teamwork, advocacy, resilience, and respect for our legal system. Over the past 20 years, many students have told me that mock trial was the most meaningful thing they did in high school. I agree -- I can't imagine my teaching career without it.
- Bill Schrier, Carmel
