Since 1916
John Muir, the smallest elementary school in Berkeley, offers the ideal learning environment. The historic Tudor-style building sits nestled among redwood trees, a large grassy field, native plants, flourishing vegetable gardens, and a burbling creek. The classrooms, with their spacious size and natural light from countless windows, stimulate creative thinking and learning. The John Muir community is proud of and connected to their school’s namesake and to the natural beauty of their environment.
Learn more about our Centennial Anniversary
John Muir School is the smallest of the 11 elementary schools in the Berkeley Unified School District. The school was built in 1916 with funds from the 1915 bond. The original architect of the Tudor-style building was James W. Placheck. The first principal of John Muir was Miss Lydia Atterbury, with the original curriculum was based upon the Montessori method. In 1926, there were approximately 325 students, and by 1970, there were approximately 479 students. The classroom wing and the kindergarten area were retrofitted in 1980. In 1984, the school was reopened as a “model school” to mainstream special education students. In 1989, the Model School was chosen as one of the first schools to be made accessible to the disabled, and in 1990, the school changed its name back to the John Muir School.
Today, John Muir serves over 290 students, from Kindergarten through fifth grade. The Tudor-style building sits on more than three acres of beautiful grounds, reflective of the great man after whom the school was named. The school's mission is to achieve academic excellence, promote personal growth, and celebrate the beauty of nature, community diversity and learning.
