School in the Park is a really fun way to learn about new subjects and see real world examples of the things you are studying.

Students from Rosa Parks Elementary School, Wilson Middle School, and Monroe Clark Middle School travel by bus to Balboa Park where they can study at different museums, theaters and even the San Diego Zoo.

At School in the Park, you’ll learn about science, engineering, art, history, wildlife conservation, culture, activism, natural history, dance, performance, and much more.

When you visit School in the Park, the museum educators and teaching artists will teach you about the mission of their organization using real world examples in their galleries and exhibits.

For example, at theNAT (the Natural History Museum), you’ll get to see actual fossils found around San Diego county that tell the story of the region, dating back thousands of years.

At the San Diego Art Museum, you’ll learn how to create your own art by getting inspired by the paintings and sculptures on exhibit in the museum’s world class galleries.

Over two decades ago, a wealthy business man named Sol Price, who had strong connections with the City Heights community, helped to build Rosa Parks Elementary School. When the new school first opened, more students attended than expected and there were not enough classrooms to fit all the students.

One day, while enjoying the gardens and different museum attractions at Balboa Park, Mr. Price had an idea. His idea was to bring the students to Balboa Park so they could learn about all the interesting things the museums taught people. If some of the students were learning at Balboa Park then the school classrooms would not be over-crowded.

Mr. Price hired some really smart people to start the School in the Park program and everyone thought it was really fun. Over the years, the program got better and better. In 2009 Sol Price passed away at the age of 93. His son, Robert Price continues to fund the School in the Park program so students can keep learning at Balboa Park.

When you go to Balboa Park to learn, you’ll follow the same rules that you follow at your school. In general, the rules are commonsense:

1. Be safe, kind, and respectful.

2. Do not damage the museum exhibits or resources.

3. Do not speak to strangers (unless your teachers say it is ok).

4. No Spicy Cheetos! Some foods like Spicy Cheetos can make your hands dirty and if you touch museum exhibits with dirty hands it can damage them.

5. The most important rule is that you try your best to have fun and learn as much as you can.

You and your family are always welcome at Balboa Park.

You can request a SITP museum pass at your school office.

The museums you and your family can visit for free are:

1. The Air & Space Museum

2. theNAT (The San Diego Natural History Museum)

3. The Fleet Science Center

4. The San Diego History Center

5. The San Diego Museum of Art

6. The San Diego Junior Theater

7. The Museum of Us

8. The Mingei International Museum