About MEC
Discover MEC
The Mindful Education Consortium (MEC) Philosophy
At the heart of the Mindful Education Consortium (MEC) lies a commitment to innovation and a passion for transforming education. We believe in challenging conventional teaching methods to offer something truly special for your child.
What Sets Us Apart
MEC is a proud participant in the micro-school movement, blending the best of traditional education with forward-thinking approaches. We understand that every family deserves options and a voice in their child’s education. That's why our vision emphasizes community-driven decisions, valuing the collective wisdom and autonomy of our families, students, and instructors, over broad centralized educational policies and curriculum.
Empowering Educators
Our educators are free from the constraints of traditional bureaucracy, allowing them to focus entirely on your child's best interests. They are highly trained professionals, continually engaged in monthly professional development sessions on the science of learning and experiential education. This ensures they remain knowledgeable about the latest research and developmentally appropriate strategies for their respective age groups.
Personalized Learning Pods
Our students thrive in small, close-knit learning pods called MEC Pods, each with a maximum of 8 students. Led by a primary instructor and an assistant, these pods maintain an exceptional 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio, from TK all the way to graduating high school. This setup fosters strong, lifelong relationships among students as they learn and grow together over the years.
Fun and Engaging Learning
Learning at MEC is designed to be fun and engaging. We understand that students thrive when they are excited about what they are learning. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to be relevant and interconnected, allowing students to build on their knowledge and skills in a meaningful way. By tying our lessons together, we create a cohesive learning experience that keeps students motivated and curious.
Accelerated Learning
Our focus on individualized instruction and innovative teaching strategies enables students to progress at their own pace, often surpassing traditional academic milestones. We place a strong emphasis on differentiated approaches to teaching and learning, which is reinforced by our small instructor to student ratios. Your student(s) will engage in collabrive group work, but also receive 1:1 support on a daily basis.
Personalized Focus Areas
By the time they reach the equivalent of 6th grade, students at MEC have the flexibility to choose personalized focus areas (PFAs) that align with their passion and possible career goals. Whether it's in the arts, sciences, humanities, or any other field, our curriculum supports and nurtures their individual interests. This personalized approach ensures that each student is engaged and motivated to excel while allowing them the opportunity to build a strong foundation in a subject or subjects they are interested in. This is accomplished through an intentional and supportive one-day a week internship program beginning in their middle school years. By partnering with local businesses and organizations, we offer real-world experiences that help students gain valuable insights into potential career fields. By the time they reach high school, MEC students are supported in more in-depth community internship experiences.
Academic Coaching and Leadership Support
To further support our students, MEC provides a dedicated academic coach who specializes in leadership development and college admissions guidance. Our academic coaches work closely with their students to help them build essential leadership skills, set and achieve personal goals, and navigate the college admissions process with confidence. All MEC students begin an extensive leadership development program starting in their middle school years. While we blend mindset and character development into everything we do, starting as early at TK, this is a specific curriculum designed to prepare your student to be an organizational leader, regardless of what PFA they choose. Their coach continues to work with them as they apply to college or the next step after graduating from MEC.
Join Our Community
Explore our programs to see how MEC Pods cater to different age groups, and discover the unique, supportive, and innovative environment we offer. At MEC, we believe in nurturing each child's potential in a way that respects their individuality and promotes a lifelong love of learning.
Visit Our Programming Page
Ready to learn more? Visit our programming page to discover the specific focuses of MEC Pods for various age groups and see how we can provide the perfect alternative educational experience for your child.
MEC Core Values
At the Mindful Education Consortium (MEC), we are committed to creating an exceptional educational experience based on the following core values:
Individualized Instruction-We tailor our teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student, ensuring personalized learning experiences that foster growth and development.
Student Choice-We empower students to take charge of their education by providing opportunities to make choices about their learning paths, encouraging independence and self-motivation.
Strong Home-to-School Connection-We believe in the power of a strong partnership between home and school. Our collaborative approach ensures that families are actively involved in their child's educational journey.
Safe Learning Environments-Creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment is our top priority. We ensure that every student feels secure and valued, allowing them to thrive academically and socially.
Accelerated Learning-Our innovative teaching strategies and individualized instruction enable students to progress at their own pace, often surpassing traditional academic milestones.
Experiential Learning-We emphasize hands-on, experiential learning opportunities that make education engaging and relevant. By immersing students in real-world experiences, we deepen their understanding and retention of knowledge.
Learning as Fun-We believe that learning should be an enjoyable and exciting experience. Our engaging and interactive teaching methods ensure that students find joy in their educational journey.
By integrating these values into our daily practices, MEC provides a dynamic, supportive, and enriching educational environment that prepares students for lifelong success.
Why MEC is Different
At the Mindful Education Consortium (MEC), we offer a distinctive educational experience that sets us apart from traditional schools. We are a micro-school deeply rooted in the communities where our learning pods are located, ensuring a personalized and community-centered approach to education.
Mindful and Intentional Learning
Everything we do at MEC is intentional. Our approach to teaching and learning is highly mindful, with curriculum experts collaborating closely with educators to curate and create the best possible learning experiences. We focus on providing an environment where your child is free to explore their interests, develop at their own pace, and be encouraged to continually challenge themselves to reach their fullest potential.
Community Integration and Exploration
If you want your child to have weekly opportunities to explore their community and engage in learning experiences outside the classroom, then MEC is the perfect choice. We believe that learning extends beyond the classroom walls, and we provide numerous chances for students to connect with and learn from their surroundings.
New MEC POD Starting in San Diego in August 2025!
Our MEC PODS are limited to 8 students (4:1 ratio). Find out how to apply for enrollment by clicking below.