The Open School

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Cassi Clausen

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Cassi Clausen is the Executive Director and Founder of The Open School. She established the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2015 to introduce self-directed democratic education to Orange County. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts and Communication Studies from Westmont College, a Master of Education in Secondary Education, Curriculum, and Instruction from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and a Master of Arts in Performance and Culture from the University of London, Goldsmiths. Clausen began her career in the traditional education sector. From 2002 to 2005, she taught high school Spanish and English and coached Mock Trial at a private college preparatory school in St. Louis. During her graduate studies, she identified a severe disconnect between pedagogical research—which emphasizes intrinsic motivation and student agency—and the compliance-based realities of the conventional classroom. This realization, catalyzed by a visit to the pioneering Summerhill School in England, prompted her to leave traditional teaching and build a new educational model. She spent three years conducting public relations, community building, and fundraising to launch The Open School. Clausen guided the organization from its inception—initially operating the school out of her own home to minimize overhead—to its current multi-program structure operating on a permanent, debt-managed campus in Santa Ana. As a recognized leader in alternative education, Clausen frequently lectures at universities and educational conferences on the mechanics of democratic school governance and self-directed learning. She co-authored the book Empowered Kids, Liberated Parents, which examines the intersection of youth autonomy, educational systems, and child development. Additionally, she extends her administrative expertise by serving on the Board of Trustees for The Circle School in Pennsylvania. Her professional focus remains on scaling non-coercive, learner-led educational models and equipping students with the civic and emotional skills required for modern adulthood.

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