Sharing authentic narratives of learning and transformation, this book offers insights into the unique opportunities and advantages of museum-based education.

Museum schools are redefining the boundaries of education, creating a unique intersection between cultural institutions and formal learning. The Story of Museum Schools will take the readers on a journey through the lives of children, teachers, and museum educators, inviting readers to understand how these innovative schools operate. Through authentic narratives, children's artwork, documented successes and failures, and practical insights, this book highlights the transformative power of museum-based education and its potential to shape the future of learning.


This book is an invitation for museums across the nation to rethink their spaces and purpose in education, offering a formal lens into how they can transform into vibrant centers of learning as museum schools. Whether you are an educator, curator, or advocate of child-centered education, this book will inspire you to see museums as essential spaces for innovative learning and meaningful community connection.

Maryanne Ullery is a university professor and researcher specializing in museum education and early learning. As the Project Director for the IMLS-funded research project on museum preschools at Miami Children's Museum, Maryanne has studied the transformative potential of museum-based education.


Natalie Williams is the Director of Education at Miami Children's Museum, home to both a preschool and a charter school. As the founder of the Museum Playful Learning Collective (MPLC), Natalie has spearheaded the first successful collaboration of over 30 museum schools worldwide.