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Publication Date: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 Cover story: 2005 special report on private schools
Cover story: 2005 special report on private schools
(September 28, 2005) Schools focus on individual interests, needs of students, and welcome Katrina evacuees
By Marjorie Mader
Almanac Staff Writer
Local private schools got off to a smooth start for the 2005-06 school year, and in a familiar pattern: They are fully enrolled, tuition continues to climb, and the schools are placing more emphasis on meeting the individual needs and interests of their students.
Suddenly, as Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in last August, flooding New Orleans and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless, attention shifted to aiding in the relief efforts with fundraising and collections of supplies and clothes.
Also, the schools opened their doors to displaced students.
Norman Colb, head of Menlo School, responded to an urgent request from the National Association of Independent Schools to find room for student evacuees.
The school offered to accommodate four students at each grade level -- from 6 through 12 -- at a small fraction of the regular tuition and with financial aid if needed.
So far, Menlo has enrolled three students who fled New Orleans and are living with relatives in this area. They are Devon Filo, a sophomore; her sister Elise Filo, a seventh-grader; and Justin Royal, a junior.
Sacred Heart Schools has opened its doors to two boys from New Orleans: a second-grader from St. Andrewís Episcopal School and a junior from Holy Cross High School, said Joseph Ciancaglini, director of schools at Sacred Heart here.
He offered to take students from a sister school, the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans, while it is closed, but all the students were relocated at Sacred Heart academies in Houston and Grand Coteau, Louisiana.
Individual attention
For all students, local private schools are offering increased choices in both academic courses and extracurricular activities. High schools have added more advanced placement and honors classes.
Woodside Priory Schoolís boarding program went coed last fall with nine female boarders, and there are 17 in this school year.
Interest in boarding among Bay Area students is booming, said Erik Carlson, dean of the boarding program. The students like staying overnight, living in an international community with many students from abroad, while having the option of going home on weekends when they wish, he said.
Below is the Almanacís special report on private schools in our circulation area, which includes Atherton, Menlo Park, Portola Valley and Woodside.
Menlo School
50 Valparaiso Ave. Atherton
Phone: 330-2000 Norman Colb, head of school Nancy McPhaul, director
of the middle school Grades: 6-12
Tuition: $26,000 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 talented students of varied socio-economic backgrounds.
Enrollment: With 763 new and returning students, Menlo School is
at capacity: 545 in high school and 217 in middle school (grades 6-8).
Class size averages 18 students in the middle school for academic
and fine arts classes and 16 students in the high school.
Goal accomplished: The $46 million capital campaign, which seemed
an impossible stretch for the Menlo community almost 10 years ago, has
now reached its goal. Beyond major improvements to facilities, the campaign
has strengthened the school's financial underpinnings for future generations
of Menlo students, said Norman Colb, head of school. Menlo's high school
students go to classes in the new academic complex -- a handsome 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. The 163-seat
Martin Family Lecture Hall, acoustically designed for lectures and small
musical performances, has been completed. The design of the academic complex
complements the middle school's Arrillaga Family Campus, completed four
years ago.
Focus: Established in 1915, Menlo School offers an academic curriculum,
complemented by fine arts and athletic programs. The school's stated mission
is to empower students to develop skills necessary for success in college
and become ethical, responsible and engaged members of ever wider communities.
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, 26 Advanced Placement courses are offered in various
areas of English, literature, economics, history, mathematics, calculus
AB and BC, physics, biology chemistry, art, music and computer science,
and foreign languages, including French and Spanish. Honors courses include
algebra, geometry, advanced topics in mathematics, French, Spanish, Japanese,
as well as Latin.
New faculty: Joining the upper school are the following experienced
teachers: Holly Cotty, AP Latin; Rebecca Mouser, Spanish; Cara Harries,
English; Patricia Roylance, English; Alisa Poppen, science.
Familiar faces return: After a one-year leave of absence, history
teacher Michael Brody and photography teacher Mary Carlsson return.
Change in assignment: In the Middle School, science and math teacher
Laurie Chandler is now a full-time science teacher. Kyle Utsumi, aquatics
director and girls' water polo coach, is a sixth-grade teacher.
New assistant librarian: Garth Rogers, a former journalism teacher,
school librarian and teacher in Guatemala, is the assistant librarian,
working with head librarian Cathy Rettberg. Outside of class: About
76 percent of the high school students participate in athletic programs
and 57 percent are involved in the fine arts program. The high school
offers 11 boys' sports and 11 girls' sports, including cross country,
football, water polo, golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer, basketball, baseball,
swimming, lacrosse, softball and track. Middle school sports have teams
in three divisions, ranging from coed cross-county, swimming, track and
water polo, to girls soccer and volleyball and boys flag football, basketball
and baseball.
Going "organic": Menlo School and Sodexho Services have teamed
up to offer an entirely organic food station daily in the dining hall.
Additional organic, natural and sustainable food items also will be available.
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: This on-campus center provides for a
fee child-care services for the children of school employees. The services
are for newborns to preschoolers.
Open houses: Prospective students and their parents are invited
to these open houses: high school, Monday, October 17, at 6:30 p.m. and
Sunday, October 23, at 1 p.m.; middle school, Sunday, November 6, at 1
p.m. and Thursday, December 1, at 6:30 p.m. Call the admissions office
at 330-2001, ext. 2600.
Applications: Deadline to submit applications for the 2006-07
year is January 10.
Menlo benefit: "Menlo Live" is the theme of this year's benefit
on March 31.
Web site: 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 for grades 1-8, and
the Montessori preschool and kindergarten -- has its own principal. Dr.
Joseph Ciancaglini, director of schools, oversees all three schools. The
schools offer 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.
Diversification: The Office of Equity, Justice and Multicultural
Education, in its second year, is part of the school's stated goal to
be sensitive to and supportive of the diversification of the campus at
all levels and the development of programs to meet the needs of each student.
Goals include sufficient financial aid to support each applicant on a
"need blind acceptance basis" and sufficient support programs to help
students achieve "a level playing field" in academics, social and extracurricular
activities.
Campus Ministry: Father Tom Moran and Elaine Yastishock have
joined the SHS Campus Ministry to serve the spiritual and pastoral needs
of the school community: students, families, faculty and staff, as well
as the extended family of alumni.
The Learning Support Program has been expanded at all three schools
this year. SHS strives to create an atmosphere of support that will allow
each student, with or without disabilities, to thrive and succeed in a
rigorous academic setting. This mission is carried out by the Center for
Student Success at Sacred Heart Prep, by the full-time learning specialist
at St. Joseph School, grades 1-8, and by the new "Schools Attuned" program
for preschool and kindergarten.
Annual auction: Plans are underway for the annual auction and
dinner party on Saturday, April 1. The theme will be "Under the Tuscan
Sun."
Web site: shschools.org.
Sacred Heart Preparatory
Richard Dioli, principal
150 Valparaiso Ave: Atherton
Grades: 9-12
Tuition: $24,060
Enrollment: Sacred Heart Prep has enrolled 465 students, the
highest since the college preparatory school opened its doors to boys
in 1984. The student body now is almost 50 percent girls and boys.
Class size: averages 15 students.
New faculty: Joining the faculty are: Dr. Sally Vance-Trembath,
religious studies; Ben Hunter, U.S. history; Clarke Weatherspoon, global
studies/U.S. history; Marisol Politron, physics; Catherine Ringer, geometry/
algebra II; Gus Elmashi, algebra I and II; William Bonnell, Latin; Corie
Tryson, dance. Returning after short absences are: Paula Newas, math,
maternity leave; Maggie Mera, back in the foreign language department
from her spring sabbatical; and English teacher Jake Moffet after spending
a year caring for his new daughter.
New staff: Bette Bohler is the head librarian and Sheryl Nonnenberg
is assistant librarian.
New programs. This year Sacred Heart Prep is offering the following
new classes: AP contemporary modern fiction and history of modern China.
The fine arts department is expanding, offering the following new classes:
jazz/percussion ensemble, auditioned chorus, technical theater, and dance.
Center for Student Success: This new center offers academic support
for all students, including on-site tutors and learning resource specialists
who provide assistance to students with tutoring in subjects, study skills,
time management and test-taking strategies. The center also coordinates
accommodations for students with verified learning differences.
Go, Gators: SHP offers 14 varsity and junior varsity sports: cross
country, football, soccer, water polo, tennis, volleyball, basketball,
soccer, baseball, softball, golf, lacrosse, swimming, track and field.
The varsity boys' football team recently thrilled fans by defeating arch-rival
Menlo 27 to 19 in the annual Valparaiso Bowl.
Senior fashion show: Seniors and their moms and dads modeled
during the annual senior fashion show September 17. The show, "Seniors
Unscripted," raised money for scholarships, a senior class gift to the
school, and a contribution to the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans,
to be used for hurricane relief.
Open house: Dates for the high school open houses are Sunday,
October 23 and November 20, at 1 p.m. For details, e-mail: admission@shschools.org.
Application deadline: January 4, 2007, is the deadline for applications
to Sacred Heart Prep for the 2006-07 year.
St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart
50 Emilie Ave. Atherton
Phone: 322-9931 Karen Eshoo, principal
Grades: 1-8
Tuition: $17,845 for grades 1-5; $21,760, grades 6-8
Enrollment: 400, in grades 1-8. Applications for lower school
(grades 1-5) admission are being accepted through February 6, 2006.
Tours: Monthly informational tours will begin in November.
Class size: Student-teacher ratio is 12 to 1.
New faculty: Joining the faculty are: Myra Syed, second-grade
teacher; Kyle Kalmbach, learning specialist; Russell Willis, middle school
dean.
New programs: A "Life Skills" curriculum has been added to the
middle school. Students learn about emotional intelligence, interpersonal
skills, decision-making, and identity. Jazz band and a competitive choral
ensemble, both of which require an audition, are offered before school.
Choral, band choices: All students in grades 4-8 have the choice
to take band (woodwinds, brass, or percussion) or chorus, which are taught
during the school day as an integral part of the program.
Enrichment: The after-school enrichment program offers 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, tennis and swimming, cooking and baking, drama and clowning.
Students in grades 4-8 may choose to participate in the athletic program,
which includes six options per year for both boys and girls. All students
may participate in the K-8 musical; this year it's "Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat." Middle-school students will produce their own
play, Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." A science adventure class is available
to middle school students before school.
"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.
Open house: Sunday, October 23, at 2 p.m. is the date for the
middle school open house. For information, e-mail admission@shschools.org.
Application deadline is Wednesday, January 4.
Washington, D.C., trip: Again this year, the eighth-graders' field
trip will be to Washington, D.C. Rep. Anna Eshoo, a former parent of a
St. Joseph's student, welcomes and 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: 322-0176 Cee Salberg, principal Grades: preschool and kindergarten
Tuition: $15,000 for half-day preschool; $16,370 for full day
preschool and kindergarten.
Enrollment: 66 in preschool; 48 in kindergarten
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.
New programs: The preschool and kindergarten are piloting a professional
development and service delivery program called "Schools Attuned." Based
on the groundbreaking work of Dr. Mel Levine, the program's goal is to
recognize differences in student learning -- differences that contribute
to, or in some cases, undermine, a student's success in school. St. Joseph's
preschool and kindergarten teachers were the first preschool and kindergarten
programs in the country to take the training as a group. Over the summer
the teachers and administrators spent a week on campus being trained by
a neuropsychologist from the Children's Health Council. Teachers will
follow up with 10 additional hours of training during the school year.
All of this training was funded by grant from the Louise M. Davies Foundation.
Admission: The admission process for the 2006-07 school year is
currently underway. For information, e-mail jwildey@shschools.org.
Information: shschools.org
Woodside Priory School
302 Portola Road Portola Valley
Phone: 851-8221 Tim Molak, headmaster Al Zappelli, director of
admissions and financial aid Grades: 6-12
Tuition: $25,617 for day students, and $34,932 for boarders,
which includes lunch for day students and all meals for boarders. An additional
fee of $400 per student covers school store purchases of school supplies,
clothes, retreats, and most academic field trips and activities. Boarding
students also pay a $600 fee for weekend activities such as surfing lessons
at Santa Cruz and mountain climbing in Yosemite. About 20 percent of the
students receive some portion of financial aid.
Enrollment: 350, the same as last year, with 104 students in grades
6-8 and 246 in high school. The student body is 55 percent male and 45
percent female. Forty-seven students -- including 17 girls -- board at
the school. They come primarily from the Bay Area, Northern California
and countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
Classes: 14-18 students. Some classes, including advanced and
special-interest classes in grades 10-12, often are much smaller. The
full-time-equivalent teacher-to-student ratio is 1 to 9. The ratio of
teachers and student support staff to students is 1 to 6.
Philosophy: An independent, Catholic college preparatory school
in the Benedictine tradition, the Priory's 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.
New deans: Dora Marron, a Woodside Priory School graduate, is
the new dean of the middle school. She holds two master's degrees -- one
in educational administration and one in education with emphasis in language
and literacy development. For the past several years, she has held posts
at the Priory, ranging from directing the Peninsula Bridge academic outreach
program to teaching, chairing the social studies department, counseling
and coaching soccer. Brian Schlaak comes to the Priory as academic dean
after 18 years of experience teaching, mentoring new teachers, and consulting
through the School Redesign Network at Stanford University. He was attracted
to the Priory after studying the efficacy of small schools while he worked
toward a master's degree in educational administration at Stanford. Mr.
Schlaak served two years in the Peace Corps in Paraguay and speaks fluent
Spanish.
New Classes: Fourteen new courses are being offered. They include
advanced kinesiology, criminology, journalism (previously offered as a
student activity), Judeo-Christian Relations, the history of rock and
roll, Latin American studies and a senior seminar, "Faith, Reason and
Imagination."
More AP classes: With the addition of two new Advanced Placement
classes in art history and European history, the Priory offers a total
of 19 AP classes.
Student resources center: Counseling and academic support services
are being consolidated in a new student resources center. Sandra Martignetti,
who has experience in planning support for different learning styles and
needs, and Al Klein, a counselor, have joined the student advisory staff
this year.
Community Service: Students are required to do 10 hours per year
of independent community service in pre-approved programs. They also participate
in an annual class service project. Middle school student projects involve
hosting and staffing a Special Olympics day on campus on Friday, September
30.
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 offerings. Choices range from robotics to Model United
Nations and classic film studies.
Athletics: Nearly all middle school students and the majority
of high school students play a team sport, said Mark Stogner, athletics
director. The fall schedule includes cross-country, boys' soccer, girls'
volleyball and girls' tennis in high school and flag football and girls'
volleyball in the middle school.
Facilities: Construction of a performing arts auditorium and
classrooms could begin in spring 2006 now that a new parking lot, outdoor
basketball court and an improved drainage system are near completion.
The center will displace the old parking area and outdoor court.
Open houses: Prospective students and their families have three
opportunities to visit the campus at open house programs, scheduled from
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 22, November 19 and December 10.
Guests will tour the campus, sit in on a few classes and mingle informally
at a reception in the gym where faculty set up tables by department to
show textbooks and samples of work. RSVP by calling the admissions office
at 851-8221.
Applications: Due January 10 for the 2006-07 year.
Web site: WoodsidePriory.com
Mid-Peninsula High School
1340 Willow Road Menlo Park
Phone: 321-1991 Douglas C. Thompson, head of school
Grades: 9-12
Tuition: $21,158
Enrollment: 150
Class size: 12 students
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, classrooms with wireless
technology, science labs, art studio and photography lab, student center,
a full-size gymnasium, and a music practice room.
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 personal 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 houses: Prospective students and their parents are invited
to attend one of the open houses: Saturday, November 5, at 10:30 a.m.;
Thursday, December 1, at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, January 10, at 7 p.m.
Applications: Priority filing date for applications for the 2006-07
year is January 10; late applications will be accepted. The school is
currently accepting late applications for the 2005-06 year
Beechwood School
50 Terminal Avenue Menlo Park
Phone: 327-5052 Priscilla Taylor, principal
Grades: Kinderprep-8
Tuition: $150 per month for all grades, including the year-round
K-3 program and the nine-month schedule for grades 4-8. 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.
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 are Christy Medley, math
and music, and Victoria Starr, 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.
Web site: beechwoodschool.org
German American International School
275 Elliott Drive Menlo Park
Phone: 324-8617 Peter Metzger, head of school
Grades: Preschool-8
Tuition: $4,200 for a two-day, weekly preschool program; $6,300
for three days; $9,200, for five-days; $10,500 for kindergarten-grade
5; $12,500 for grades 6-8. Tuition is for a 10-month academic year. Discounts
are offered for siblings.
Enrollment: 185
Class size: Average class size is 10 students. In addition to
classroom teachers, there are specialists teachers in art, music, physical
education, and arts and crafts.
New head of school: The school board recruited Peter Metzler,
an International Baccalaureate administrator, to lead the school toward
full accreditation as an international school. He was director of the
International School in Trieste, Italy, for the past 19 years. Earlier,
he taught and administered an IB school in Spain. A Canadian with a German
background, Mr. Metzler now lives in Menlo Park.
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.
International Baccalaureate: The school is working toward full
accreditation of the primary year program of the International Baccalaureate
Organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Beyond intellectual
rigor and high academic standards, IB schools place strong emphasis on
international literature, history and culture. The school also covers
the California state standards.
Third language option: Spanish and French are options for students
in grades 6-8.
Extracurricular program: An extensive extracurricular program
that cover sports, creative activities and languages is offered on a fee
basis.
Open house: The first open house is scheduled for Saturday, January
21, at the school. For information, call the school office at 324-8617
or e-mail info@germanamericanschool.org
Web site: germanamericanschool.org
Nativity School
1250 Laurel St. Menlo Park
Phone: 325-7304 Carol Trelut, principal
Grades: K-8
Tuition: $4,450 for one student
Enrollment: about 289
Class sizes: range from 27 students to 35; Maximum class size
is 35.
Focus: Nativity's stated goal is to 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 throughout the year. They volunteer for the Special Olympics
at Redwood City, help staff the soup kitchens at St. Vincent de Paul's
centers, and join in the fall cleanup at Huddart Park.
Extended care: For an additional fee, Nativity's extended care
is available for its students from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from school dismissal
until 5:45 p.m.
Fundraisers: The school's Christmas tree lot on the school grounds
will be open for tree sales November 26 through December 19. Proceeds
will fund enrichment programs, including Spanish and music.
Save the date: The annual dinner dance and auction takes place
on Saturday, February 11, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight at Sharon Heights
Country Club in Menlo Park, It raises funds for the school and parish.
Co-chairs are parents Carol Hoy and Danielle Farrey.
To Apply: Applicatons for enrollment in the 2006-06 year are available
at the school office. For more information, check www.nativityschool.com
Peninsula School
Peninsula Way Menlo Park
Phone: 325-1584 Katy (OK) Dalgleish, director
Grades: Nursery-8
Tuition: $11,860, full-day kindergarten through grade 8; $9,085,
nursery, ages 3 to 4, and half-day kindergarten. Scholarships are available.
Enrollment: 250
Class size: 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. There is an emphasis on responsibility
as well as freedom and choice. 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 a few 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, November 5, is the open house for parents
of prospective nursery school and kindergarten children and their children,
interested in attending Peninsula in the 2006-2007 school year. Hours
are 10 to 11:30 a.m.
School tours: Parents may tour the school on six Thursdays, October
13, November 10 and 17; December 8; January 5 and 12. Meet at 10 a.m.
at the "Big Building." No reservations needed.
Holliday Craft Fair: An annual tradition, the school's craft fair
will be held Sunday, December 4, 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 cafÈ and 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 Kristi Kerins, head of school
Grades: Preschool-5
Tuition: $18,900, grades 1-5
New head of school: Kristi Kerins, the former head of school at
Lake Forest Country Day School, takes over from Beth Passi, who retired
last June and returned home to Minnesota.
Goals: The school explains its goals this way: The faculty is
committed to child-centered learning through the use of "constructivist"
principles in its teaching. Learning based on these principles increases
intrinsic motivation and love of learning through the feeling of respect
and ownership that each child experiences. This summer, the faculty has
been studying differentiated learning approaches to better support the
abilities and growth of its students. Other key goals are developing a
safe community of learners that promotes equity and justice locally and
globally, and building and strengthening school-family partnerships to
better meet the needs of the students and community. These innovative
methods, coupled with the school-wide mission of preparing creative, kind
and compassionate members of society, provide educational opportunities
for its students.
Teachers: Phillips Brooks welcomes five new teachers: Isabel Ochoa,
Spanish; Clair Kessler-Bradner, art; Stacy Lapinski, second grade; and
Shannon Brinkman and Barbara DeMartinis, fourth grade.
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 also is available
on conference and teacher workshop days. Students have the opportunity
to participate in after-school enrichment activities. Options this year
include art and chess.
Annual family gathering: The "April Foolishness" fundraiser of
the Parents' Association will be a casual event, "The Beach Ball." It
will be held March 18 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton.
School tours: To schedule a school tour on Monday and Tuesday
mornings from September 26 through January 10, call Jon Kulhanek, admissions
director and director of early learning, at 854-4545, ext. 104.
Applications: Deadline is January 7, 2006.
Website: phillipsbrooks.org
St. Raymond School
1211 Arbor Road Menlo Park
Phone: 322-2312 Sister Ann Bernard, principal
Grades: K-8
Tuition: Approximately $5,800 for one child if families participate
by volunteering 20 hours and make a commitment to buy $5,000 in scrip.
Enrollment: 260
Class sizes: average 30 students; maximum class size is 32.
Focus: St. Raymond's stated goal is to provide 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 activities,
such as projects that support the St. Francis Center, a small elementary
school in Redwood City, where Spanish-speaking students learn English
and gain academic skills needed to thrive in high school. At Thanksgiving
and Christmas, they collect food for St. Anthony's Padua Dining Hall on
Middlefield Road near Menlo Park.
Annual auction and dinner: St. Raymond Mothers' Club will stage
its major fundraiser, an auction and dinner, on Saturday, November 5,
at the school. Co-chairs are Wendy Blickenstaff and Maureen Hamer.
Open house: Families may tour the school during the open house.
This year it will be held on Sunday, January 22, beginning at 11 a.m.
Applications for the 2006-07 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, starting at age 3, through grade
5
Tuition: $17,100 for grades K-5; $11,900 for early childhood programs,
depending on length of each program.
Enrollment: 145
Classes average 18-20 students in grades K-5 with each of these
classes having a lead teacher and "para-educator." Early childhood classes
average 16 students with two teachers in each class.
New teachers: Joining the faculty this year are Marc Allyn, third
grade, and Tucker Perry, director of technology. Amy Hibbs is the garden
teacher.
Administrative changes: B. Michael McFarlane is the new director
of development, and Sarah Juarez is the new director of community relations.
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 early
childhood program moved into a new building this fall on the site of Holy
Trinity Episcopal Church, 330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park. The new facility
has two separate classrooms, designed for 3- and 4-year olds, an art studio
and an enclosed playground with a new play structure. The upper campus
for grades K-5 includes seven homerooms, the chapel, Great Hall, library,
technology center, outdoor learning and display spaces, greenhouse, garden
and athletic field.
Outreach: All students each year participate in a school-wide
community service project, centered around the students' interest, as
well as community service projects in each grade. They raised more than
$2,500 for tsunami relief last winter by selling home-baked goods, lemonade
and bracelets they made. Students also collected 1,300 new and slightly
used books for schools in Afghanistan, China, Mexico and East Palo Alto.
Open house: On Wednesday, November 30, 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, beginning at 7 o'clock.
School tours: A regularly, scheduled tour of the schools is offered.
For time and dates, call 854-0288, ext. 100.
Application deadline: Deadline for students to apply for the
2006-07 year is January 20.
Web site: trinitymp.org
Woodland School
360 La Cuesta Drive Portola Valley
Phone: 854-9065 Scott Bell, head of school
Grades: Preschool-8
Tuition: $14,200 grades, K-4; $15, 200, grades 5-8; monthly preschool
tuition, half-day, $1,000; full day, $1,050; extended day, $1,100.
Enrollment: $240
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.
New head of school: Scott Bell, math and science teacher at Woodland
for four years, is the new head of school. He taught previously at private
schools in the San Diego area and at a private high school in Africa,
north of Nairobi.
New teachers: Three new teachers have joined the faculty at Woodland.
They are Alyson Day, third grade; Mary DeSouza, math and computers; Katie
Grahm, reading and math specialist for first grade.
Garden project: A school garden is being built adjacent to the
school office. Each grade will have its own plot and plant various vegetables
and flowers.
Day care: For an additional fee, extended daycare for students
enrolled in the school is offered year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
School tours. Dates for school tours are: Tuesday, October 18;
Thursday, November 10; Tuesday, January 10; Wednesday, January 25; Monday,
February 6. All begin at 9 a.m. Call the school office to sign up. Preschool
tours are Wednesday, January 11, and Tuesday, February 7, both at 9 a.m.
Open house: Prospective and current students and their families
are invited to an open house Wednesday, February 8, at 6:30 p.m.
Application deadline: February 15, 2006.
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