play full ground creative micro high school opening fall 2025

School, but Make it aRt

a place for dreamers, makers, and everyday artists to play full out.

Play Full Ground is a Creative Micro High School Community in Monterey, CA.

At Play Full Ground, we empower high school dreamers and everyday artists to move beyond traditional education and embrace the adventure of creative learning. Our community weaves together visual and social art practices with academic exploration, opening space for students to question, imagine, and create. Through hands-on projects, collaboration, and experimentation, learners bring their ideas to life while developing the skills and confidence to shape their future—and the world around them.

Join us and grow in a vibrant community where curiosity, creativity, and possibility flourish!

play full ground alternative high school learning community space front door

play full ground micro high school welcome graphics

I'm Mai Ryuno

Artist | Educator | Founder

“Education itself can be an art form—and every student an artist of their own life.”

My mother called me a dreamer and encouraged me to follow my vision of moving from Japan to the United States to make friends around the world and become an artist. She didn’t tell me exactly how, but trusted my ability to find the way. Guided by intuition, I discovered interdisciplinary, process-based art—and realized that the creative process itself can teach us to turn imagination into reality and uncover dreams that reflect our true selves.

Over time, I noticed how many young people described their dreams only in terms of degrees, jobs, or material things. While those goals matter, I believe our deepest dreams reach further: they connect to who we are and what we long to give the world. Too often, people say, “I’m not an artist, I can’t even draw a stick figure.” But art isn’t just drawing or painting—it’s a way of life, a practice of self-discovery, and a tool for shaping the future. I don’t draw or paint; instead, I became an artist of education, exploring how learning itself can be a creative act.

Salvador Dalí once said, “A true artist is not one who is inspired, but one who inspires others.” With over 15 years in art and education, my mission is to inspire young generations to see themselves as artists of their own lives—catalysts for social change who can blend imagination with action.

Play Full Ground grew out of this vision: a place where education and art intertwine, where curiosity and courage are celebrated, and where every student is invited to play full out—embracing their true colors and creating a brighter future.

mai ryuno artist educator founder of play full ground looking up to a blue sky

How students learn

Self EXPRESSION

with Curiosity and Experimental Spirit

At Play Full Ground, every student's learning journey is as unique as they are! Here, we empower learners to take charge of their education, transforming their ideas into reality through inquiry- and project-based learning. We believe that education should be engaging and creative, allowing each individual to explore their passions and interests in vibrant ways.

Collaborative Projects

with Real-World Learning and Community Building

Art is fundamentally social, and each of us plays a vital role in the social fabric. To turn our ideas into reality, collaboration is essential. Through involvement in art and design, students can enhance their communication and cooperation skills. We believe that bigger dreams need a larger community to help bring them to fruition.

Students' Voices

"I like the approach-not giving too many specific instructions, but instead allowing students to experiment and find their own style. Mai is also very encouraging to all students. She fosters a good atmosphere of sharing and learning from each other."

"She works well with all the different stages individuals may be in with their work. Has insights and ideas to share, but lets the student find his or her own way at the same time."

megaphone with flowers for student voices section of website

"Mai uses thought provoking discussions in order to become a catalyst for a student’s awareness of art as a formal expression."

"Mai is a wonderful person. She gives great feedback and critiques your artwork in a way that makes you understand what you can do better on. Very inspirational as well and encourages you to challenge yourself as well as, in a sense, open a door to your creativity if you let it happen."

"Mai has great ideas to challenge one’s routine way of going about work. She’s truly non judgmental about students' different approaches."