Abstract. In the context of the intensification of educational work in schools of modern Russia, one of the effective platforms for educational work can be school museums that perform the functions of preserving, systematizing objects and documents, as well as teaching, educating, socializing students, developing their personality. The educational potential of active forms and methods of work in school museums is currently underestimated by practicing teachers. By involving students in the work of school museums not only as passive spectators, but also as active participants, the teacher contributes to the formation and development of student competencies. The effectiveness of educational work in a school museum depends on several factors, in particular, on a choice of pedagogical techniques, methods and forms of educational work with students. The aim of the study is to analyze active forms and methods of working with students in a school museum, the use of which will help to increase the effectiveness of educational work in an educational institution. The study is based on the study of materials and practical experience in the school museum of School no. 2 in the village of Khorol, Khorol Municipal District, Primorsky Territory. Basic research methods: descriptive-analytical and pedagogical observation. To substantiate the conclusions of the study, pedagogical diagnostics was applied according to the method of L.I. Tsarev “Unfinished proposal”, a questionnaire survey according to the method of A.A. Andreev “Study of student satisfaction with school life”. It was concluded that the use of active methods of working with students is possible even within the framework of traditional forms of working with students in a school museum. The predicted results of the use of active teaching methods will be manifested in the achievement of high educational motivation and personal development of students. In active cooperation, the creative potential of teachers and students is revealed, a sense of belonging to the historical past arises. By appropriating knowledge on their own, being engaged in active research activities, publicly broadcasting the results of their work, students have the opportunity to achieve high educational results, and teachers become more successful in teaching and educational activities.