The Lyceum of Monterey County

The Lyceum of Monterey County offers academic events such as Mock Trial, Model UN, History Day, Spelling Bee, and Expanding Your Horizons. Students can also take enrichment classes in areas like digital photography, mural painting, rocketry, and botanical art, along with other classes in science, humanities, art, and music. A hands-on experiential approach to learning is the cornerstone of each Lyceum program, and enrichment classes are offered primarily in the fall and spring months.

• Ages: 8–18 years old

The Lyceum of Monterey County was founded in 1960 by two educators, Vera Hering and Claire Kennedy, and their friend Ruth Fenton, and has been offering educational programs to the local community for over 60 years. The organization offers classes, camps, and academic events for students in Monterey County, including programs specifically geared towards home school students and summer camps that keep class sizes small. Annual academic events give students the chance to work on a major project throughout the year in addition to their regular coursework, and events like Mock Trial and Model UN are described as highly valued on college applications. The 4th and 5th grade Spelling Bee connects to the Scripps Howard competition, and academic events incorporate common core educational requirements. The Lyceum of Monterey County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and its mission is to inspire a life-long love of learning through enrichment programs that stimulate intellectual promise, awaken individual creativity, and foster academic achievement. The name “Lyceum” comes from a Greek word for a public place for classes and lectures and is also used in modern times for a secondary school or a public hall for lectures and concerts.

Last updated March 14, 2026.