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Publication Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2003

Special Report on private schools

Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer

The picture looks bright for area private schools. Despite steep tuition hikes and a faltering economy, private schools are full and have peak enrollments.

School supporters, including parents, alumni, even grandparents of students, have contributed millions of dollars to capital fundraising campaigns.

The dollar infusion translates into major facility improvements, such as an $11.5 million performing arts center under construction at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton. Scheduled to open in the winter of 2004, the center will have a 350-seat auditorium, a smaller theater studio, and a two-story glass lobby to display student and professional art. The center will open onto a redesigned Palm Court that will provide space for outdoor events, such as shows, Masses and graduation ceremonies.

A multi-story academic complex is being built at Menlo School for its Upper School, or high school. It will complement the Arrillaga Family Campus, completed two years ago for the middle school. When students returned to campus this fall, they saw a sea of portable classrooms in front of Stent Family Hall.

High school students will have some of their classes in portable buildings until the academic complex is completed by the opening of school in 2004. During the summer, two major academic buildings, Curtis and Menlo halls, were demolished to clear space for the new 80,000 square-foot center.

At Woodside Priory School, architects are starting to design a proposed performing arts center with a $7 million price tag. Over the summer, faculty and staff moved into the newly completed Maas Family Commons on-campus housing. The housing was the first project in the school's $15.9 million Golden Jubilee Campaign, which school officials hope to complete by the school's 50th anniversary in 2007. Interior renovations to the Priory Chapel also were completed.

Another change at the Priory is an expansion in its boarding program to include girls.

Despite tuition hikes -- as much as 8 percent -- and the slowdown in the economy, parents are willing to pay private high school tuitions of $23,600 at Menlo School, $22,405 at Castilleja, $22,100 at Woodside Priory, $20,250 at Sacred Heart Prep, and $19,100 at Mid-Peninsula High School.


Menlo School

50 Valparaiso Ave.
Atherton
Phone: 330-2000

Norman Colb, head of school Nancy McPhaul, director of the middle school Eff Martin, chair of the board of trustees
Grades: 6-12

Tuition. $23,600 a year for both high school and middle school. Menlo has awarded $1.6 million in financial aid this year to about 14 percent of the student body to attract students of varied socio-economic backgrounds.

Enrollment. With 756 new and returning students, Menlo School is at capacity: 540 in high school and 216 in middle school (grades 6-8).

Class size. Average class size in academic and fine arts classes is 18 students in the middle school and 16 students in the high school.

Major construction. An academic complex for the high school -- a 80,000-square-foot building -- is being built to replace Curtis and Menlo halls that were demolished over the summer. When completed in the 2004-05 year, this complex will house the history, English, foreign language, math and science departments and offices for the academic dean and counseling. It also will have a 165-seat lecture hall. Its design will complement the middle school's Arrillaga Family Campus, completed two years ago. During construction, the high school students will attend at least some of their classes in the 17 double-wide portables that were moved on campus along Valparaiso Avenue

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 offers a curriculum designed to prepare students for the rigors of college study. The middle school offers an integrated interdisciplinary program, taught by teams of grade-level teachers. In the high school, advanced placement courses are offered in English history, mathematics, calculus AB and BC, physics, biology, chemistry, foreign languages (French, Spanish, Japanese and Latin), art, music and computer science.

New faculty. Joining the upper school are the following experienced teachers: Danielle Jensen, math; Giles Scott, English; Rolando Victoria, Spanish. New teachers at the middle school are Summer Bowen, sixth-grade humanities, and Katie Randall, seventh- and eighth-grade Spanish. Alex Perez, who headed the upper school's drama department for nine years and taught at the middle school, returns as the drama teacher.

New to administration/staff. Brooke McKinney, assistant athletic director; Amber Rudell, director of special projects in the development office; Joel Roberts, network director; Tim Goode, sports information director.

Intern program. Menlo School welcomes six 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: Renee Emery and Mark Newton, both Menlo School graduates; Shachar Link; Kyle Utsumi, Menlo's aquatics director; Sydney Lewis; and Camila Valdes. Assigned a mentor teacher, each intern observes classes and, when ready, will team-teach two courses with that mentor. Interns also 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, each intern receives financial assistance from the school so that he or she can enroll in classes and attend professional workshops and conferences.

Outside of class. Menlo students are involved in about 30 clubs in areas such as music, drama, foreign languages, multicultural awareness, journalism and jazz dance. The school fields 23 teams in the high school and about 30 teams for middle school students, 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, a teacher at the center last year, is the new director. She received a bachelor of science degree in human development from the University of California, Davis. The center offers to Menlo employees fee-based, child-care for infants to preschoolers.

Open houses. Prospective students and their parents are invited to open houses for Menlo's high school: Thursday, October 30, and November 20, both at 7 p.m.; middle school Sunday, November 2, at 1 p.m. and Thursday, December 4, at 6:30 p.m. Call the admissions office at 330-2001, ext. 2600.

Web site. www.menloschool.org


Sacred Heart Schools -- Atherton

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

Mission. The schools have completed a five-year strategic plan. The Roman Catholic, independent schools have the stated goal to "to educate the whole child to be a leader who loves God and serves others." Each of the three divisions -- Sacred Heart Preparatory, St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart with grades 1-8, and the Montessori preschool and kindergarten -- has its own principal. The schools offer extracurricular activities and a faith-based curriculum. Sacred Heart says it's committed to keeping its schools and classes small and increasing the ethnic and socio-economic diversity of the student body, faculty and staff.

Sacred Heart Preparatory

Richard Dioli, principal
Grades: 9-12

Tuition. $20,250, including all fees

Enrollment. Sacred Heart Prep has an enrollment of 450 students, the highest since the college preparatory school opened its doors to boys in 1984. The student body is divided almost equally between girls and boys. Class sizes average 15 students.

New faculty. Joining the faculty are: Elizabeth Blandford, Megan Brody and Lisa Warnke, math; Jeffrey Edmonds and Michael Higgins, music; Josie Yu, science; Peter Lavorato, campus ministry and athletics. Teacher Brian Bell is the new dean of students.

New programs. Advanced placement classes are being offered in Spanish literature, government and physics C. All juniors are enrolled in AP English, and can gain college credit.

Facilities. Construction of a Performing Arts Center to serve Sacred Heart Schools is underway. The Little Theatre was demolished during the summer to make way for the center. It will have a 350-seat auditorium, a two-story glass lobby to display student and professional artwork, dressing rooms, the traditional "green room" for actors before they go on stage, and a theater studio for smaller productions. Palm Court will be redesigned as part of an $11 million capital campaign to provide an area for outdoor events, shows, masses and graduation.

Tennis Center and track. Eight tennis courts are nearing completion this fall along Valparaiso Avenue, near the football field. They will be used by Sacred Heart Prep and St. Joseph's students as part of the physical education program, and by competitive teams. The new tennis coach is Jeff Arons, who played on the Stanford varsity team and went on to professional tennis. Recently, he has directed the East Palo Alto Tennis Program. A six-lane, all-weather surface track is being installed around the existing football field. There are facilities for long jump, high jump, shot put and discus.

Water polo coach. Dante Dettamanti, former Stanford University head coach whose teams have won the most water polo championships in the country, has come out of retirement to coach at Sacred Heart Schools.

Go, Gators. Sacred Heart Prep's varsity football team faces King's Academy for the prep school's first home game on Friday, September 26, at 3:30 p.m. Homecoming game is Saturday, November 8, against Harker, and coincides with the first annual alumni reunion. New head football coach, Peter Lavorato, comes from Alberta, Canada, where he was head coach and an English and drama teacher at Archbishop Jordan High School in Sherwood Park.

Senior fashion show. Seniors, their moms and dads will model the latest styles during the annual senior fashion show on Saturday, September 27, at 5:30 p.m. outdoors on campus. The show, "Bon Voyage: Seniors Set Sail," is a benefit for the senior class.

Annual auction. Plans are underway for the auction and dinner party on Saturday, March 27.

St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart

50 Emilie Ave.
Atherton
Phone: 322-9931
Karen Eshoo, principal
Grades: 1-8
Cee Salberg, principal
Preschool and kindergarten

Tuition: ranges from $13,246 for the half-day preschool to $13,970 for kindergarten; $15,086 for grades 1-5; and $17,740 for grades 6-8.

Enrollment: 402, full enrollment in grades 1-8; 120 students in preschool and kindergarten programs. Admission process for the 2003-04 school year begins in October.

Class size: Average class size is 24 students in grades 1-5 with two teachers in each class. In grades 6-8, the student-teacher ratio is 12 to 1.

New principal. Karen Eshoo became the new principal of St. Joseph's School in July. She knows the school "inside out" as a former student at St. Joseph's, graduate of Sacred Heart Prep, teacher at both schools, and interim principal at St. Joseph's. Ms. Eshoo was a sophomore at Sacred Heart Prep when the first class of boys was admitted. Her class had 32 girls and 4 boys.

New programs : The "Every Day Math" program, introduced last year, is being implemented in kindergarten through fifth grade. Music -- instrumental music, band, orchestra and chorus -- is being offered this year in grades 4-7. Teachers are involved in workshops based on "Doing School," written by Stanford professor Denise Clark Pope, to help them avoid pitfalls in the preschool-8 grade program.

Enrichment program. The after-school enrichment program continues, offering students from kindergarten through fourth grade a wide range of classes and activities. They may choose from a long list of offerings, such as 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 and 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, a former parent at St. Joseph's, welcomes and guides the students on a tour of the Capitol. In the past, the students have been invited on a behind-the-scenes tour of the West Wing of the White House. Scholarships are available.

Web site: Visit www.shschools to see what's going on both inside and outside the classrooms.



Woodside Priory School

302 Portola Road
Portola Valley
Phone: 851-8221
Tim Molak, headmaster
Grades: 6-12

Tuition. $22,100, including bookstore deposit and most fees, for day students; $33,875 for boarders, including fees, weekend trips and activities. About 20 percent of the students will receive some portion of financial aid.

Enrollment. 340, the same as last year, with 107 in the middle school, 233 in high school. Forty boys, from cities around California and countries as distant as Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Hong Kong, the Slovak Republic and Hungary, board at the school and participate in the residential program.

Classes. Class sizes remain at 15-18 students at this Benedictine, coeducational, college-prep school. Some classes, including advanced ones, are below the average. The smallest class is fifth-year Japanese, which has one student enrolled. Student-teacher ratio is 7.7 to 1, based on full-time equivalent teaching hours.

New faculty. Joining the faculty are three teachers who will also be part of the residential staff: Kristin Chen, adviser to the high school newspaper; Laura M. Young, architecture; Brian Simoneau. John Sugden, who has worked with young people at the American Conservatory Theater, takes over from Tom Carter as speech and drama teacher and director of school theatrical productions.

New Classes. Eight new courses will be offered. They include advance placement classes in music theory and comparative government and politics, and courses in musical theater, differential equations, cultural anthropology, China and the world, Shakespeare and modern drama.

Community Service. Students will refocus their community service efforts this year with fewer hours (20 hours per year instead of the 100 hours by graduation) in a more directed program. As a class, students will plan and complete five hours in an all-day project. They also will contribute five hours to a fundraising or school-based project and at least 10 additional hours with a community-based service organization. Individually, students will work with groups such as Urban Ministries, Second Harvest Food Bank, the Maple Street Shelter, senior services and an equestrian program for children with disabilities. Students in the National Honor Society will continue to tutor students and adults in the after-school-tutoring program at the Portola Valley library. A tutoring program with St. Elizabeth Seton School in Palo Alto, launched several years ago, will continue.

Boarding goes coed. Plans call for expanding the current all-boys boarding program to include girls within the next few years. The tentative plan is to add up to12 female freshmen and sophomores each year until the number of boys and girls is roughly equal. At first, girls could be housed in a separate section of one dormitory; eventually each gender will have a separate dorm.

Capital campaign, facilities. The first goal of the Priory's ongoing $15.9 million "Golden Jubilee Campaign" to provide on-campus housing was met this summer with completion of the seven-unit Maas Family Commons for employees and their families. Earlier, one home was renovated and two homes completed. The campaign, with a completion date by the school's 50th anniversary in 2007, will fund expansion of the chapel, construction of a proposed $7 million performing arts center, an expanded library and a student center, as well as building an endowment fund.

Field update. The school's soccer field was improved and the adjacent track resurfaced in time for fall school and community sports.

Family barbecue. "Seize the Day," the theme for this year's event, will be on Sunday, September 21, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The National Honor Society-sponsored car wash for charity is from 2 to 4:30 p.m. Events include dedication ceremony for the Mass Family Commons (on-campus staff housing completed in June), a DJ, karaoke, games for all ages and a menu of free-range burgers, grilled chicken, salads and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Contact Pat Reed at preed@woodside priory.com or phone her at the school office, 851-8221, to RSVP.

Open houses. Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend open houses on Saturday, November 15 and December 13, at 10 a.m. Students may make reservations for a "shadow day" to follow a Priory student's schedule this fall by calling Carole Mauss at 851-6124.

Applications. Due January 13 for the 2004-05 year.


Mid-Peninsula High School

1340 Willow Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 321-1991
Douglas C. Thompson, Ph.D., head of school
Grades: 9-12

Tuition. $19,100

Enrollment. 150, capacity is 160

Class size. 15 students or fewer

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

Facilities. After 22 years in rented space in Palo Alto, Mid-Peninsula moved from the old Garland School to its permanent home in Menlo Park in 2001. The new facility, 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. 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 their personal best. 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 Saturday, October 18 and February 2, at 11 a.m. Refreshments will be served.

Applications. Priority filing date for applications for the 2004-05 is January 13, but late applications will be accepted. The school is currently accepting late applications for the 2003-04 year.

Web site. 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. $22,405 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 six through 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, with 37 percent being students of color.

Class size. Classes average 16 students for the middle school, 14 for the upper school.

Academics. Castilleja offers 16 advanced placement courses. New courses include: robotics, the Bible as literature and source, introduction to computer programming, Latin American history, and astronomy.

Faculty. There are 56 full-time and part-time faculty members, 80 percent of whom hold advanced degrees. Faculty who received Castilleja summer grants studied in programs overseas and around the United States. Castilleja has hired Michael Ansa as dean of diversity and community life. He was formerly director of student life and a faculty member at Middlesex School, located outside of Boston.

Athletics. In 2003, 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. Major renovations have enhanced almost every aspect of the campus within the past few years. The new Gunn Family Administration Center and theater renovations were completed in 2002. Other major building projects include 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 ample study space for students.

Focus. "Women leading, women learning" is a theme at Castilleja. Students are involved with numerous extracurricular activities, including, Amnesty International, speech and debate, Interact (Rotary International), Model United Nations, and Prisms, the multicultural and diversity club. In 2002, the school community adopted an honor code, developed and written primarily by students. For 96 years, Castilleja has stressed the five Cs -- courage, conscience, courtesy, charity and character -- put forward 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, October 26 and November 16, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the middle school; Wednesday, November 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. for the high school.

Applications. Due January 13 for the 2004-05 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 Avenue
Menlo Park
Phone: 327-5052
Reynaldo Almeida, 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. 151. 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 size. Average class size is 16-18.

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: Karen Ro, special needs instructor; Robin Edwards, third grade; Arthur Michelson, seventh grade; Matthew Peterson, intern for first and second grades.

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


German-American International School

275 Elliott Drive
Menlo Park
Phone: 324-8617
Erika Van Deusen, principal
Grades: Preschool-8

Tuition. Ranges from $230 per month for a short, two-day preschool program to $990 per month for grades 7 and 8. Monthly tuition is $885 for grades 1-4; $935 for grades 5-6. Tuition is to be paid for 10 months. Discounts are offered for siblings and lower-income families.

Enrollment. 160, up from last year with 33 new families; 90 students, preschool-kindergarten; 70, grades 1-9

Class size. Average class size is 10 students. In addition to classroom teachers, there are teachers in subject areas, starting at first grade, in 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 being introduced as an optional third language this year in third grade.

International Baccalaureate. The school will become a fully accredited International Baccalaureate School in October with programs as outlined by the International Baccalaureate Organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Beyond intellectual rigor and high academic standards, IB schools emphasize international understanding, literature, history and culture. The school also 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 24, at the school. For information, call the school office at 324-8617.


Nativity School

1250 Laurel St.
Menlo Park
Phone: 325-7304
Carol Trelut, principal
Grades: K-8

Tuition. $4,125

Enrollment. about 300

Class sizes. Class sizes average 33 students. Maximum class size is 35.

Teachers. Joining the faculty are three new teachers: Mike Hickam, eighth-grade homeroom and science for grades 6-8; Lisa Cresci, seventh-grade homeroom and English for grades 6-8; Kevan Spence, fifth grade.

Outreach program: Students again will be involved in a range of service projects throughout the year. They will help staff the soup kitchens at St. Vincent de Paul's centers in San Mateo and South San Francisco, and join in cleanups at Huddart Park. On Sundays, students do arts and crafts projects with seniors at the Carlmont Nursing Home in Belmont.

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

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

Fundraisers. Students already are selling gift wrap paper and specialty items for the holidays. The school will open a Christmas tree lot from November 28 through December 20. This year, the revamped antique show features an auction and dinner in a new setting, St. Patrick's Seminary in Menlo Park, on Friday, December 12. The annual carnival will be June 11, 12 and 13 at the school.


Peninsula School

Peninsula Way
Menlo Park
Phone: 325-1584
Katy Dalgleish, director
Grades: Nursery-8

Tuition. $10,227, primary-8; $7,655, nursery and half-day kindergarten. Scholarships are available.

Enrollment. 226; maximum 248

Class size: Classes 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.

New director. Katy Dalgleish, principal of the Village School, a parent-participation school in Campbell, was selected as Peninsula School's permanent director after an extensive search. An experienced teacher, she has a master's degree from Bank Street College in New York City.

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 childcare 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, October 25, is the open house for parents of prospective nursery school and kindergarten children, and their children, interested in attending Peninsula in the 2004-2005 school year. Hours are from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Application deadline for all new students is February 1. 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: $17,900, grades 1-5

Enrollment. about 260 students, the same as last year; maximum enrollment, 276.

Classes. All classes have 18 students. Student teacher ratio is 10 to 1.

Goals. Phillips Brooks' faculty is committed to further support child-centered learning by exploring ways to use what's called "Constructivist" principles in its teaching, says Beth Passi, head of school. Learning, based on these principles, would belong more to children than the teachers. 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.

Looking ahead: "We're staying right where we are at the former La Loma School site and putting our energies into providing a wonderful program for the children," says Mrs. Passi. The school has put its 92-acre property in Woodside up for sale after withdrawing its plans to build a permanent home there. Phillips Brooks has an ongoing, renewable lease from the Las Lomitas School District to continue using for the La Loma School site.

Teachers. Phillips Brooks welcomes four new teachers: Courtney Currie, fourth grade; Martin Giroux, French; Liz Hammond, Spanish; Cindy Sibley, communication and counselor.

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.

25th anniversary. Phillips Brooks School will celebrate 25 years of "loving to learn and learning to love" throughout the year. A 1970s party for alumni, their parents and the entire school community is being planned for November.

Annual family gathering. "April Foolishness" will replace the time-honored "Random Harvest" theme for the school's annual family gathering. This year's event will be held on Sunday, April 25, in a different setting, Woodside Priory School in Portola Valley. Funds raised will support scholarships and other academic programs.

School tours. To schedule a school tour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from October through February, call admissions at the school 854-4545 for reservations.


St. Raymond School

1211 Arbor Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 322-2312
Sister Ann Bernard, principal
Grades: K-8

Tuition. $5,020 for one child if families participate by volunteering 20 hours and make a commitment to buy $4,000 in scrip; $5,720 for one child if parents chose not to participate.

Enrollment. 270, the same as last year

Classe size: Average class size is 30-31 students; maximum class size is 32.

Auction. "A Western Hoedown" is the theme for the school's major fundraiser, sponsored by the St. Raymond Mothers' Club. Date for the annual auction and dinner is Saturday, November 1, in the school gymnasium.


Trinity School

2650 Sand Hill Road
Menlo Park
Phone: 854-0288
Mary Menacho, head of school
Grades: Preschool-5

Tuition. $14,800, including fees, for K-5

Enrollment. 160; 38 in preschool, 122 in K-5

Classes: The average class size is 18 in grades K-5. Each K-5 class has a teacher and a teacher's assistant.

New teacher. Sarah Brooks Long, an experienced science teacher, joins the faculty.

Focus. Trinity School strives to create a "child-sized environment" where teachers and parents work together to support each child's learning, says Mary Menacho, head of school.

School Theme. "The Journey" is the academic theme in all areas of the curriculum. Teachers will adapt the theme, based on the needs and interests of their class. The student leadership team will continue to guide school-wide community service projects. The school will continue to celebrate diversity, helping each child understand "how we are alike and how we are different," says Mrs. Menacho.

Learning tool. Trinity will continue to incorporate technology as a learning tool for students in all grades.

Web site: www.trinity-mp.org


Woodland School

360 La Cuesta Drive
Portola Valley
Phone: 854-9065
Lynne Nelson, director
Grades: Preschool-8

Tuition. $11,500 grades K-4; $12,150, grades 5-8

Enrollment. 285, up 15 students over the past two years

Class size. Class sizes average 15 to 20 students.

Focus: Woodland School focuses 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 when all students re-create Leonardo da Vinci's life through drama, art and inventions. This year's event is March 8-12.

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

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. The school will accept applications on a "rolling deadline" basis, depending upon space available after the earlier deadline.