2026 Summer Programs available! Learn more about Summer Camp at Arete Academy. Arete Academy now has two locations, as well as the ability to support online learners. Learn more about Arete Academy. Chesapeake Campus: 401 Waters Rd. Chesapeake, VA 23322 Virginia Beach Campus: 620 Village Dr. STE A, Virginia Beach, VA 23454   Arete Academy is a learner-driven micro-school where students take ownership of their education through goal setting, personalized project-based learning, and real-world experiences. Students work in mixed-age studios with mentor-guides who support independence, leadership, and strong academic foundations. Ideal for families seeking an engaging alternative to traditional school or homeschooling. Learn more about Arete Academy. Arete Academy is a K-12, mastery-based, private school with locations in Chesapeake and Virginia Beach, VA. We offer a full-time program, a part-time program, and an online program for our families who live too far away to attend regularly, but still want to participate in our community.

From first stories to publication opportunities, The Muse Writers Center helps young writers discover their voice! Learn more and register here. We offer creative writing classes, camps, workshops, activities, and teen leadership opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students. Explore fiction, poetry, comics, songwriting, screenwriting, dramatic writing, college essay workshops, and more in a supportive community of young writers. Learn more and register here.   Register for Programs at The Muse! Strength, healing, growth, and change flourish when writing meets community and inspiration. The Muse offers writing classes, camps, and community events that encourage young writers to explore and develop their unique voices, improve their craft, and pursue professional opportunities in the literary world. Come meet your muse at The Muse Writers Center! Learn more and register here. Creative Writing Explorations Class  (Light snacks provided.) The Muse understands the value of accessibility. Our youth classes are “Pay What You Can”, meaning you name the price you can afford, as high or low as it may be, no questions asked. Creative Writing for Young Writers: Elementary/Middle School (age 8-12) Creative Writing for Young Writers explores the fundamentals of creative writing and encourages each student to find their individual writing voice, no matter the genre (poetry, fiction, comics, songwriting, and screenwriting). Students will explore their creative expression through unique writing prompts, discussion exercises, and opportunities to share and discuss their work. Popular topics include Slaying the Villain, Where a Story Starts, songwriting, Duo Poetry, and screenwriting! The final class culminates in a live reading which friends and family are invited to attend. Learn more and register here. Creative Writing Exploration for Teens: (age 13-17) Creative Writing for Teens encourages students to expand their creative writing by challenging them to elevate their creative voices with new writing techniques. During class, students learn literary craft techniques through lecture, discussion exercises, and writing prompts. Popular topics include villain archetypes, magic system basics, how to write a fight scene, poetry, screenwriting, and more! At the end of class, students are given time to write and share their work. Our final class is a student reading where family and friends are invited to attend. This is a hybrid class, meaning students can join online or in-person. The final class reading is in-person only. Learn more and register here.   Teen Workshops Advanced Teen workshop Join this interactive workshop that allows students to workshop their writing live! This is an advanced writing workshop, built for older high school students to learn how to give and accept constructive feedback on their writing in an MFA-style setting. Please email our Youth Program Director at Jessica@the-muse.org if interested. Learn more here.   Summer Camps (Light snacks provided. Tuition Assistance Available.) The Muse Elementary School Summer Camp (ages 8-10) is a great opportunity for young creative writers to have fun with words–both out loud and on paper. During each day of this afternoon camp, we’ll explore a different type of creative writing and expression. We’ll explore poetry, fiction, writing and illustrating comic books, developing RPG’s and more! Open to elementary school writers of all levels and experience. Summer Camps are Coming Soon! Learn more here.   The Muse Middle School Summer Camp (ages 11-14) is a great opportunity for young creative writers to have fun with words–both out loud and on paper. During each day of this afternoon camp, we’ll explore a different type of creative writing and expression. We’ll explore poetry, fiction, writing and illustrating comic books, songwriting, and more. At The Muse, creative tweens and teens learn to express themselves in a guided, friendly, and supportive environment! Open to elementary school writers of all levels and experience. Summer Camps are Coming Soon! Learn more here.