November 03, 2004

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Publication Date: Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Cover story: Private schools keep up the pace

By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

Private schools continue to offer small classes and individual attention to students from families who can afford sky-high tuition.

Again this year, most private schools raised tuition, with increases in the 5- to 9-percent range for high schools.

At Menlo School, the tuition is $24,800 for both high school and middle school; at Castilleja School, it's $24,000; at Woodside Priory School, $23,830; at Sacred Heart Prep, $21,870; and at Mid-Peninsula High School, $19,960.

The tuition includes fees in many cases.

Private schools also are offering students increased choices in courses and activities.

Financial aid

"We are costly and may look intimidating to some," said Dectora Jeffers, director of admissions for Menlo's Upper School, speaking on behalf of private schools. "But we have financial aid and are committed to having a diverse community in every sense of the word -- ethnic, religious, socio-economic."

Most private schools have upped their budget to provide scholarships and financial aid.

What parents are looking for in private schools, says Ms. Jeffers, is a fine education in a setting of small classes (16 to 18 students) with supportive teachers who forge relationships with students outside the classroom.

"They're looking for a broad spectrum of choice in academics, athletics, the arts and student life," she says.

The infusion of capital campaign funds has provided major changes to campuses at Menlo School, Sacred Heart Schools, Woodside Priory and Castilleja.

Menlo School's new academic complex for high school students -- an 80,000-square-foot facility -- now houses the history, English, foreign language, math and science departments, and the offices for the academic dean and counseling.

Students go to classes with many amenities, including wireless network transmitters in each classroom and throughout the new quad. Gone are the portable classrooms that were located along Valparaiso Avenue for the 13 months of construction.

Menlo has moved the school library to the main floor of Stent Hall and installed the new Amanda MacDonald Student Center on the ground level with a lounge area, student conference room, snack bar and six offices for the Student Life staff.

The Performing Arts Center for Sacred Heart Schools is nearing completion and is scheduled to be dedicated November 18. The center will have a 350-seat auditorium, a theater studio and dressing rooms, and a two-story glass-enclosed lobby to display artwork. The opening performance takes place January 21.

Woodside Priory School is making news, too. Its first boarding program for high school girls opened this fall, housing eight girls from Taiwan, Hungary, Korea and the San Francisco Bay Area. It's the only one of its kind on the Peninsula and in San Francisco.

"The school has been coed for over a decade, and we've been planning to bring girls into our boarding program for a long time," said Erik Carlson, dean of the boarding program. "These girls are special and bring a new dimension to the program."

Following is detailed information on local private schools.

Menlo School

50 Valparaiso Ave. Atherton
Phone: 330-2000
Norman Colb, head of school
Nancy McPhaul, director of the middle school
Tim Howard, chair, the board of trustees
Grades: 6-12
Tuition. $24,800 for both high school and middle school. Menlo has awarded $1.8 million in financial aid this year to 15 percent of the student body to attract students of varied socio-economic backgrounds.
Enrollment. With 762 new and returning students, Menlo School is at capacity: 545 in high school; 217 in middle school, grades 6-8.
Class size average in academic and fine arts classes is 18 students in the middle school and 16 students in the high school.

New academic complex. Menlo's high school students now are going to classes in the new academic complex -- an 80,000-square-foot facility, built beside a green turf "quad." The two-story inter-connected buildings house the history, English, foreign language, science and math departments, and the college counseling and academic centers. There are 32 classrooms, 41 faculty offices, nine science labs and a faculty room with kitchen, showers and patio. Wireless network transmitters are in each classroom and throughout the quad. Soon to be completed is the 163-seat Martin Family Lecture Hall, acoustically designed for lectures and small musical performances. Construction of the complex took 13 months; during that time classes were held in 21 doublewide portables that were moved on campus along Valparaiso Avenue.

The design of the academic complex complements the middle school's Arrillaga Family Campus, completed three years ago.

Additional facilities. Changes have taken place in the landmark building, Stent Famiily Hall. The 8,000-square-foot library has moved up to the main floor. The new Amanda MacDonald Student Center on the ground floor has a lounge area, snack bar, student conference room, six offices for student life staff, a newspaper and publication office, and a patio area.

Focus. Established in 1915, Menlo School offers a challenging academic curriculum, complemented by fine arts and athletic programs. The school's stated mission is to help students develop positive values, skills and character to respond intelligently and humanely to the complexities of an increasingly diverse world.

Curriculum. Menlo School's curriculum is designed to prepare students for college study. The middle school offers an integrated interdisciplinary program, taught by teams of grade-level teachers. In the high school, honors and advanced-placement courses are offered in various areas of English, history, mathematics, calculus AB and BC, physics, biology chemistry, art, music, computer science, and foreign languages, including French, Spanish, Japanese and Latin.

New faculty. Joining the upper school are the following experienced teachers: Lucy Arney, AP European history; Mark Abruzzese, chemistry and environmental science; and Richard Steinberg, mathematics and computer science. Susan Colb, who volunteered as a Spanish teacher in the high school last year, will teach Spanish and coordinate the community service program for grades 6-8.

Familiar faces return. Some faculty members who were part of the school community in previous years return in slightly different roles. Andrew Kitt, who started teaching at Menlo last February, now teaches economics and ninth-grade history. Mark Newton, a 1988 Menlo grad and a member of the school's Athletic Hall of Fame, returns in a dual role: world history teacher and new varsity football coach. Kerry Rodgers, previously the high school's drama and art teacher, returns to teach photography. John Santoro, who filled in for math teacher Sara Burr while she was on maternity leave, will take over for math teacher and mother-to-be Danielle Jensen.

New administration/staff. Cathy Rettberg is the new head librarian, overseeing the transition of the newly renovated library from the second floor to the main floor of Stent Family Hall. Bill Silver is Menlo's new director of finance and chief financial officer after a 32-year career in the business world with General Electric and Citigroup. His administrative assistant, Gail Jackson, is a former colleague at Citigroup.

Intern program. Menlo School welcomes three teaching interns to its program, designed to encourage a larger number of candidates to become teachers in independent schools and to help diversify the faculty. They are: Larry McAdams, Lisa Mendelman and Nathaniel Silverson. Assigned a mentor teacher, each intern observes classes and, when ready, will team-teach two courses with that mentor. Interns serve as co-advocates for a group of students and assist in advising a student club, activity or sport. In addition to salary and benefits, interns receive financial assistance from the school so that they can enroll in classes and attend professional workshops and conferences.

Outside of class. Menlo students are involved in about 30 clubs in such areas as music, drama, foreign languages, student government, multicultural awareness, journalism and jazz dance. The school fields 23 sports teams in the high school and about 30 teams in the middle school, ranging from coed water polo to tennis, track and field, and flag football.

Community service. Students participate in class-wide community service days. The high school has a 20-hour-per-year community service requirement for graduation.

Child Development Center. Katherine Romanski directs the on-campus center that offers fee-based child care for infants to preschoolers of Menlo employees.

Open houses. Prospective students and their parents are invited to the following open houses: Menlo's middle school, Sunday, November 7, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, December 2, at 6:30 p.m.; high school, Sunday, November 14, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, December 9, at 7 p.m. Call the admissions office at 330-2001, ext. 2600.

Financial aid workshop. An evening workshop on financial aid will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, December 13. Spanish translation will be provided. For information about Menlo's financial-aid program, call Mary Emery at 330-2000, ext. 2601.

Applications. Deadline for the 2005-06 year is January 11.

Web site. www.menloschool.org

Sacred Heart Schools -- Atherton

Dr. Joe Ciancaglini, director of schools
150 Valparaiso Ave.
Atherton
Phone: 322-1866

Stated mission. The Roman Catholic, independent schools strive "to educate the whole child to be a leader who loves God and serves others." Each of the three schools -- Sacred Heart Preparatory High School, St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart with grades 1-8, and the Montessori preschool and kindergarten -- has its own principal. Dr. Joseph Ciancaglini oversees all three schools. The schools offer a strong academic program, opportunities for extracurricular activities and a faith-based curriculum. Sacred Heart says it's committed to keeping its schools and classes small while attracting and serving students, faculty and staff of diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

New facility. Construction of the Performing Arts Center to serve Sacred Heart Schools is nearing completion. The new center will have a 350-seat auditorium, a two-story glass lobby to display professional artwork, dressing rooms, the traditional "green room" for actors before they go on stage, and a theater studio. Students will attend the dedication of the center on Thursday, November 18. The opening performance will take place January 21.

Sacred Heart Preparatory

Richard Dioli, principal
Grades: 9-12
Tuition. $21,870
Enrollment. Sacred Heart Prep has enrolled 455 students, the highest since the college preparatory school opened its doors to boys in 1984. The student body now is almost 50 percent boys. About 35 percent of the students receive financial assistance.
Class size averages 15 students.

New faculty. Joining the faculty are: Ginna Closs, Latin; Marisa Daniel, chemistry; Deborah Farrington Padilla, global studies, U.S. history, campus ministry assistant; Mary FitzSimmons, English; Lars Howlett, photography, yearbook assistant; Kelly Leistikow, instrumental music; Michael Peterson, English, journalism; Colin Quinton, chemistry; Jorge Reyes, math; Diala Toure, global studies, art history; Clifford Vaida, English; Genevieve Vulser, French; and Justine Walker, biology, marine biology.

New staff. Anthony Thomas is the school's new athletic director, taking over from Mike Ciardella. Other new appointments: Beth Tornabene, personal counselor; Kristin Coday, athletic trainer; and Eileen Bocchi, attendance coordinator.

New programs. This year Sacred Heart Prep offers the following new classes: honors African-American literature, AP human geography, non-AP calculus, AP French literature, and contemporary moral theology.

Go, Gators. Sacred Heart Prep offers 14 varsity and junior varsity sports, including cross country, football, soccer, water polo, tennis, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, lacrosse, and track and field.

Senior fashion show. Seniors and their parents were models during the annual senior fashion show September 18. The show, "Oh, The Places You'll Go," raised money for scholarships, the senior class gift to the school, and various student activities.

Annual auction. Plans are under way for the auction and dinner party on Saturday, April 16. "Spy Games" is the theme.

St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart
50 Emilie Ave.
Atherton
Phone: 322-9931
Karen Eshoo, principal
Grades: 1-8
Tuition. $16,520 for grades 1-5; $19,425, grades 6-8
Enrollment: 405, full enrollment in grades 1-8. Admission process for the 2005-06 school year is under way.
Class size: Average class size is 24 students in all grades. Student-teacher ratio is 7 to 1.

New faculty. Joining the faculty are: Anne Bennett, academic dean; Michelle Ross, learning specialist; Jamie Craddock, band, grades 4-8, kindergarten music; Ted DeSaulnier, U.S. history, campus ministry; Scott Patterson, Latin; Francoise Segone, French for all grades; Will Skaff, general music for all grades; and Jennifer Fowler Vaida, language arts, seventh grade.

New programs. The school has launched a new focus on "differentiated instruction," a teaching approach to reach students of differing abilities in the same class. Students are grouped by ability in certain subjects, such as math and reading. New this year is a service-learning program in which students participate in work projects in nearby communities.

Enrichment program. The after-school enrichment program continues, offering students from kindergarten through fourth grade a wide range of classes and activities. Among student choices: chess, science adventures, cooking and baking, drama, and clowning.

"No cuts policy." St. Joseph's School supports a "no cuts policy" so that everyone trying out for sports or drama gets on the team or a part in a play. There will be more aquatic opportunities this year for students to participate in competitive swimming, water polo and tennis.

Washington, D.C., trip. Again this year, the eighth-graders' big field trip will be to Washington, D.C. Rep. Anna Eshoo, the principal's mother, guides the students on a tour of the Capitol. Scholarships are available.

St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart, preschool and kindergarten

50 Emilie Ave.
Atherton
Phone: 322-9931
Cee Salberg, principal
Grades: Preschool and kindergarten
Tuition: $14,500 for half-day preschool; $15,200 for full-day preschool and kindergarten.
Enrollment: 72 in preschool; 48 in kindergarten

New faculty: Joining the faculty are kindergarten teachers Nancy Blears and Carrie Bozzo. Ms. Bozzo previously taught first grade at St. Joseph's.

Montessori method. Both the preschool and kindergarten use the Montessori method to help children build a positive self-image and develop a lifetime love of learning. Self-directed activities encourage not only cognitive development, but also social skills, emotional growth and physical coordination.

Open Houses: Sacred Heart Prep, Sunday, November 21; St. Joseph's middle school, grades 6-8, Sundays, November 14 and December 5; St. Joseph's grades 1-5, Sunday, November 7. All begin at 1 p.m. Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the admissions office at 473-4073 for more information and tours.

For information. www.shschools

Woodside Priory School

302 Portola Road
Portola Valley
Phone: 851-8221
Tim Molak, headmaster
Al Zappelli, director of admissions
Grades: 6-12
Tuition. For day students, $23,830 (covers all fees) plus a $400 book deposit. For boarders, $34,615 (covers all fees and a $600 charge for weekend trips and activities) plus $400 book deposit. Tuition covers student activities such as athletics, cultural programs, computer and science lab fees and a hot lunch daily. About 20 percent of the students receive some financial aid.
Enrollment. 340, the same as last year, with 102 in grades 6-8 and 238 in high school. Forty students board at the school; some come from Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong and Hungary. The student body is 56 percent male and 44 percent female. About 37 percent of the students identify themselves as Catholics.

Philosophy. An independent, Catholic college preparatory school in the Benedictine tradition, the Priory's stated mission is to assist students of promise in becoming lifelong learners who will productively serve the world. The school seeks to balance an academically challenging program with opportunity for individual exploration and discovery.

Class sizes remain at 15-18 students. Some classes, including advanced ones, are below the average class size. Student-teacher ratio is 8.1 to 1, based on full-time equivalent teaching hours.

New faculty. Five new teachers have joined the faculty. They are: Shachar Link, social studies; Yvonne Faisal, math; Chelsey Dosher, middle school; Kelly Croush, social studies; and Robert Bessin, science.

New classes. Eleven new courses are being offered. They include astronomy and cosmology, religion in film and literature, kinesiology, art history, an art course on glass, "Global Issues of the 21st Century," a third level of chemistry, advanced acting workshop, writing for the theater, "Sociology of North American Sports," and China and the world. Many courses are the culmination of summer study grants awarded to teachers to develop new curriculum, update or integrate courses, or learn new technology.

Activity period. During the last hour of the school day, the Priory continues its practice of offering an activity period with more than two dozen choices. Some activities are for unit credit, such as student publications and art courses. Others -- such as robotics, model United Nations and theater technology -- are designed to give students a chance to gain experience without worrying about grades. Athletics are scheduled after school.

Community Service. Students are required to do 20 hours per year of volunteer work. Students volunteer with off-campus organizations, such as Project Read, Portola Valley Library, Urban Ministry, Shelter Network, Habitat for Humanity, and environmental groups such as Acterra and Half Moon Bay Beach Restoration.

Boarding goes coed. Eights girls from Taiwan, Hungary, Korea and the Bay Area are the first female boarders; they are housed in the wing of a refurbished dorm. The tentative plan is to add up to 12 female freshmen and sophomore boarders each year until the number of boys and girls living on campus is roughly equal.

Golden Jubilee Campaign. Woodside Priory is in the fourth year of a seven-year $15.9 million campaign to make improvements to the campus by its 50th anniversary in 2007. Two of the projects -- seven units of faculty housing and the expansion of the chapel -- have been completed. Additional projects include an auditorium and classrooms for performing arts, an expanded library/tech center, a student center, and expansion of the endowment fund.

Open houses. Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend open houses on Saturday, November 20, and December 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests will tour facilities with student ambassadors. All faculty will be available at a reception in the gym after the tour. RSVP by calling the admissions office at 851-8221.

Applications. Due January 11 for the 2005-06 year.

Web site. www.WoodsidePriory.com

Mid-Peninsula High School

1340 Willow Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 321-1991
Douglas C. Thompson, head of school
Grades: 9-12
Tuition. $19,960
Enrollment. 150
Class size. 15 students or fewer

Focus. Mid-Peninsula High School is designed for students with academic potential who can benefit from a smaller environment and a flexible, individually focused academic program.

Facilities. The high school, housed in a recently remodeled commercial building, has a technology-based learning center, wireless technology in classrooms, science labs, art studio and photography lab, student center, and a full-size gymnasium.

Program. The cornerstone of the education at this independent, coeducational school is called the "CORE program." Students meet daily in small groups with their teachers to set and meet realistic goals and work toward academic growth. The goal is to personalize education for students and help them find individual paths to do their best. Students pursue a traditional sequence of college-prep classes and participate in community service and team sports. The school has a six-period day and offers a summer school.

Open house. Prospective students, eighth-graders and up, and their parents are invited to an open house on Thursday, December 2, at 7 p.m.

Applications. Priority filing date for applications for the 2005-06 year is January 11, but late applications will be accepted. The school is currently accepting late applications for the 2004-05 year.

25th anniversary. Mid-Peninsula will celebrate its 25th anniversary throughout the year. The big reunion for all classes will be on Saturday, November 27, at the school. For information, check www.mid-pen.com.

Castilleja School 1310 Bryant St. Palo Alto

Phone: 328-3160
Joan Z. Lonergan, head of school
Jill V.W. Lee, director of admission and financial aid
Grades: 6-12, all-girls
Tuition. $24,000 includes tuition and full food service. Financial aid available; 14 percent of enrolled families receive tuition assistance.
Enrollment. 415. Founded in 1907, Castilleja is dedicated to providing a rigorous college preparatory education for young women in grades 6-12. It is the only non-sectarian, all-girls middle and high school in the San Francisco Bay Area. About 25 percent of the students come from Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside. The Castilleja student population is ethnically diverse: 40 percent are students of color.
Class sizes average 16 students for the middle school, 14 for the upper school.

Academics. Castilleja offers 16 advanced-placement courses. Over the past three years, approximately 50 percent of students who took AP exams received a 5 (the highest score) and 96 percent received a 3, 4 or 5.

Faculty. There are 66 full-time and part-time faculty members, over 80 percent of whom hold advanced degrees.

Athletics. In 2003 and 2004, Castilleja was awarded the Commissioner's Cup, which recognizes the best athletic program in the West Bay Athletic League. About 70 percent of the students participate in interscholastic athletics. In the upper school, 11 varsity and junior-varsity sports are offered: cross country, tennis, volleyball, water polo, swimming, soccer, basketball, track and field, softball, lacrosse, and golf. In the middle school, seven sports are offered: tennis, volleyball, swimming, soccer, basketball, softball, and track and field.

Facilities. Within the past five years, major renovations have enhanced almost every aspect of the campus. The new Gunn Family Administration Center and theater renovations were completed in 2002. Major building projects included a language lab, multimedia labs, the science wing, fine-arts center, and middle-school wing. The library/media center includes a 12,000-volume library, electronic databases, and study space for students.

Focus. "Women leading, women learning" is a Castilleja theme, as is a long-standing commitment to community service. Castilleja was named the outstanding philanthropic youth group last month by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Silicon Valley Chapter. Academic excellence, ethical and moral behavior and community and global engagement continue to be major components of the educational program. For 96 years, Castilleja has advocated living by the five Cs -- courage, conscience, courtesy, charity and character -- propounded by the school's founder, Mary Lockey. The school's goal is to prepare students to flourish in a diverse and ever-changing global community.

Open houses. Sunday, November 14, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the middle school; Thursday, November 11, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, December 4, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the high school.

Applications. Due January 11 for the 2005-05 school year. Call or e-mail the admission office for an application packet, to schedule a student campus visit or to make a reservation for an open house.

Web site. www.castilleja.org

Beechwood School

50 Terminal Ave.
Menlo Park
Phone: 327-5052
Priscilla Taylor, principal
Grades: K-8
Tuition. $1,680 for the year-round K-3 program; $1,400 for 4-8 grades that run on a regular nine-month schedule. Scholarships are available.
Enrollment. 155. Beechwood is open to students who live within the boundaries of the Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto and in eastern Menlo Park.
Class sizes average 16-18 students.

Focus. Founded and funded by the California Family Foundation in 1985, Beechwood focuses on preparing students to compete in the world of education, both nationally and internationally, on completion of eighth grade. It's an extended 215-day school for students in grades K-3.

New teachers: Joining the teaching staff at the following grade levels are: Citalli Del Carpio, Spanish, grades 7-8; Eric Getter, librarian and volunteer coordinator; Kirsten Grothe, intern for grades 1-2; Isabella Kang, language arts, grades 6-8; Ann Mailly, social studies, grades 6-8; and Linda Rosenblum, art.

Parent participation. Parents must commit to 20 hours a year of school service and 12 hours of parent education.

Web site: www.beechwoodschool.org

German-American International School

275 Elliott Drive
Menlo Park
Phone: 324-8617
Erika Van Deusen, principal
Grades: Preschool-8
Tuition. $3,250 for a two-day, weekly preschool program; $8,950 for kindergarten; $9,300 for grades 1-4; $9,800 for grade 5; $10,400 for grades 6-8. Tuition is for a 10-month year. Discounts are offered for siblings.
Enrollment. 168
Class size. Average class size is 10 students. In addition to classroom teachers, there are teachers in such subject areas as music, ethics, sports and English.

Focus. This school has an international and academic focus with an individualized approach to instruction. It strives to offer a learning environment that fosters the development of a creative and critical mind. About 70 percent of the classes in this coeducational school are in German. The German-immersion program begins in preschool. Students should speak German by second grade. Established in 1988, this bilingual and bicultural school is located on the O'Connor School site, leased from the Menlo Park City School District.

A third language. Spanish is offered in grades 3-5 as a fee-based extracurricular program.

International Baccalaureate. The school is a fully accredited International Baccalaureate School with programs as outlined by the International Baccalaureate Organisation, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, IB schools place strong emphasis on international literature, history and culture. The school covers the California state standards in California and U.S. history, social studies, English and U.S. government.

Open house. The first open house is scheduled for Saturday, January 22, at the school. For information, call the school office at 324-8617 or e-mail: info@GermanAmericanSchool.org.

Web site: www.GermanAmericanSchool.org

Nativity School

1250 Laurel St. Menlo Park
Phone: 325-7304
Carol Trelut, principal
Grades: K-8
Tuition. $4,100
Enrollment. About 296
Class sizes average 32 students. Maximum class size is 35.

Focus. Nativity's stated goal is educate and prepare the whole child within a nurturing environment, based on Catholic values and beliefs.

Teachers. All teachers have returned for another year.

Outreach program. Students are involved in a range of service projects. They volunteer for the Special Olympics in Redwood City, help staff the soup kitchens at St. Vincent de Paul centers, and join in the fall cleanup at Huddart Park.

Extended care. For an additional fee, Nativity's extended care is available from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from school dismissal to 5:45 p.m.

Summer camp. Nativity offers a nine-week summer program at the school for kindergartners through eighth-graders. For sign-ups in February and information, call the school office.

Fundraisers. The school's Christmas tree lot on the school grounds will be open for tree sales November 28 through December 12. Proceeds fund enrichment programs, including Spanish and music. The annual Nativity carnival, sponsored by the parish, will be held at the school June 10, 11 and 12.

To Apply. Applicatons for enrollment in the 2005-06 year will be available in February at the school office. For more information, check www.nativityschool.com

Peninsula School

Peninsula Way
Menlo Park
Phone: 325-1584
Katy Dalgleish, director
Grades: Nursery-8
Tuition. 10, 994, primary-8; $8,410, nursery, ages 3 to 4 and kindergarten. Scholarships are available.
Enrollment. 230; maximum 248
Class sizes range from 16 to 21 students.

Focus. Peninsula School, founded in 1925 as a nonprofit, parent-staff-owned school, focuses on providing an environment where learning is exciting, children are challenged to learn by doing, and independence and group cooperation are valued and fostered. Children are offered a wide variety of experiences in art, science, math, creative writing, dramatics, ceramics, weaving, music, dance, physical education and camping.

Some openings. Peninsula has some openings this school year at various levels. For information, call Mary Lou Lacina, admissions director, at 325-1584.

Extended care. Before- and after-school child care is available for students enrolled at Peninsula. Hours are from 7:45 a.m. until school starts at 9 a.m. and from dismissal time to 5:30 p.m.

Open house. Saturday, November 6, is the open house for parents of prospective nursery school and kindergarten children for the 2005-06 school year. The children are invited, too. Hours are 10 to 11:30 a.m.

School tours. Parents may tour the school on five Thursdays: November 11 and 18; December 9; January 6 and 13. Meet at 10 a.m. at the "Big Building." No reservations needed.

Holiday craft fair. An annual tradition, the school's craft fair will be held Sunday, December 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. Jewelry, handmade toys, ceramics and clothing will be on sale. There will be story telling, live music, a cafe and a children's crafts and play area.

Application deadline. February 1 for all new students. Parents should phone the school for an appointment to visit classes and learn more about the program.

Phillips Brooks School

2245 Avy Ave. Menlo Park Phone: 854-4545 Beth Passi, head of school Grades: Preschool-5

Tuition. $18,350, grades 1-5

Goals. Phillips Brooks' faculty is committed to child-centered learning by exploring ways to use what's called "Constructivist" principles in teaching, says Beth Passi, head of school. Learning, based on these principles, belongs more to children than the teachers. The faculty spent time this past summer studying the "Understanding by Design" program and setting large, all-encompassing goals for the world cultures curriculum. Other key goals are developing a safe community of learners that promotes equity and justice locally and globally, and building and strengthening family partnerships to better meet the needs of the community.

Teachers. Phillips Brooks welcomes three new teachers: Jennifer Bamesberger, technology; Kate Fenner, fifth grade; and Patter Hellstrom, art.

Extended day program. As a service for working parents, Phillips Brooks is continuing its extended day program. Hours are from 7:30 a.m. until school starts and from dismissal to 6 p.m. The program is available on conference and teacher workshop days. Students have the opportunity to participate in after-school enrichment activities. Options this year include art, chess and movie production.

Annual family gathering. The "April Foolishness" fundraiser of the Parents' Association will have a casual, Western theme, "Boots, Beans and Jeans." It will be held April 9 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, and will have a live and silent auction. This year's event is the school's first adults-only, evening event to raise funds for tuition assistance and academic programs.

School tours. To schedule a school tour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from November through January, call Jane David, admissions director, at 854-4545, ext. 104.

Applications. Deadline is January 7, 2005.

Website. www.PhillipsBrooks.org

St. Raymond School

1211 Arbor Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 322-2312
Sister Ann Bernard, principal
Grades: K-8
Tuition. Approximately $5,400 if families participate by volunteering 20 hours and make a commitment to buy $4,000 in scrip.
Enrollment. 264
Class sizes average 30-31 students; maximum class size is 33.

Focus. St. Raymond's stated goal is to provides a quality Catholic education with a strong emphasis on the academic basics -- reading, writing, math and technology. There are opportunities for enrichment in art, computer classes, science labs, music and physical education. After-school sports include volleyball, baseball, basketball and track.

Community service. Students take part in extracurricular service projects that support the St. Francis Center, a small elementary school in Redwood City. At Thanksgiving and Christmas, the students collect food for St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room on Middlefield Road near Menlo Park.

50th Jubilee. Celebrating the school's 50th anniversary, St. Raymond Mothers' Club has chosen "Rock Around the Clock" as the theme for the school's major fundraiser, an annual auction and dinner to be held Saturday, November 13, at the Hiller Aviation Museum in San Carlos. Co-chairs are JoAnn Carcione and Cecilia Diaz.

Open house. Families may tour the school during the open house, usually the last Sunday in January. Applications for the 2005-06 year will be available at that time. For details, call the school office.

Trinity School

2650 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park
Phone: 854-0288
Mary Menacho, head of school
Grades: Early childhood program through grade 5
Tuition. $15,840 for K-5; and $11,020 to $15,840 for early-childhood programs, depending on length of each program.
Enrollment. 150
Class sizes average 18-20 students in grades K-5, with each of these class having a lead teacher and "para-educator." Early-childhood education classes average 16 students.

New teachers. Joining the faculty this year are Chris Butera, technology director; Silvi Jaason, grade 4 lead teacher; Sue Krishna, early-childhood teacher for 3- and 4-year olds; and Melanie Westfield, "para-educator" for the junior kindergarten.

Focus. The school's stated goal is to guide and celebrate student self-discovery and growth in critical thinking, character development and social responsibility. The school offers a rigorous academic program, grounded in child-centered content and the values and traditions of the Episcopal Church.

Curriculum. The curriculum emphasizes basic skills and knowledge related to literacy, math, social studies and science. The program has specialist teachers for science/garden, library, advanced math, Spanish, music, art, physical education and religious studies.

Facilities. Trinity is one school with two campuses. The lower school, for the youngest learners, will move into a new facility in 2005 at the same location. It will have two classrooms, designed for 3- and 4-year-olds, an art studio and an enclosed playground. The upper campus for grades K-5 includes seven homerooms, the chapel, Great Hall, library, technology center, outdoor learning and display spaces, greenhouse and garden, and athletic field.

Outreach. Students worked last spring to provide an entire school library through the nonprofit "Room to Read" program, which builds schools and libraries and provides scholarships for girls in Vietnam, India, Nepal and Cambodia.

Open house. On Thursday, November 18, from 8:15 to 10 a.m., prospective parents and community members may visit the upper campus. An information night will be held the same evening at 7 p.m.

School tours. A regularly scheduled tour of the schools are offered. For time and dates, call 854-0288, ext. 100.

Application deadline. January 17 for the 2005-06 school year.

Web site. www.trinity-mp.org

Woodland School

360 La Cuesta Drive
Portola Valley
Phone: 854-9065
Lynne Nelson, director
Grades: Preschool-8
Tuition. $13,500 in grades, K-4; and $14,500 in grades 5-8
Enrollment. School did not provide information.
Class sizes average 15 to 20 students.

Focus: Woodland School's stated goal is to focus on academics with a strong enrichment program of art, music, drama, computers, gymnastics and physical education. Science and technology are the cornerstone for the 5-8 program. Field trips expand classroom learning.

Renaissance Faire. A high point of the school year is the Renaissance Faire, to be held next year March 14-18. Students re-create Leonardo da Vinci's life through drama, art and inventions.

Day care. For an additional fee, extended day care for students enrolled in the school is offered year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Open house. Prospective students and their families may call the school to arrange a tour and also attend the open house on February 11.

Application deadline. February 13.

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