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Who We Are

Peninsula School is an independent preschool-8th progressive school in Menlo Park. We nurture the whole child, building upon children's natural curiosities, and prepare students to become confident contributors in the world.

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    Quick Facts

    CLASS SIZE

    Class sizes average 18-21 children.

    STUDENT TO TEACHER RATIO

    Peninsula School is proud of our 7:1 student to teacher ratio. In addition to a head teacher, all classes have at least one assistant who shares teaching responsibility. Having an excellent teacher to student ratio enhances the opportunity for authentic academic and social-emotional growth to occur.

    SCHOOL HOURS

    Peninsula’s school hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    EXCEPTIONAL FINE ARTS & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

    Peninsula School provides K-8 students with remarkable opportunities in fine arts with twelve specialist teachers. Our well-equipped studios include visual art, weaving, woodshop, music, rock band, and ceramics. We offer additional choices to students to enrich their free time each day including general arts, music, library, physical education, science, and drama.

    OUR GROUNDS — SUPPORTING PLAY & DISCOVERY

    Peninsula School is located on 6.6 acres of wooded land in Menlo Park, California. The school exists in a natural and rustic setting, which provides a sense of seclusion, safety, and timelessness. There is no place on campus too precious for hand or footprints, so students feel at ease and have a sense of ownership.

    GOVERNANCE

    Peninsula School is a 501(c)3 nonprofit entity governed by a Board of Directors. The School is graced with a dedicated group of 18 members of the Board of Directors who take their responsibilities seriously. The Board has five appointed members and 13 members elected by the school community. You can read more about our board here.

    TUITION

    See the Tuition & Affordability page. A percentage of tuition is allocated to make Peninsula School more affordable to a diverse range of families. Approximately 25% of students are enrolled at a reduced tuition rate.

    HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

    Founded in 1925, Peninsula School is recognized as one of the few early pioneers of progressive education still in operation. Our founders, Josephine and Frank Duveneck, incorporated the progressive education philosophy, practice and reforms of Francis Parker, John Dewey, and Maria Montessori, as well as contributing to the history of social justice land conservation movements in California.

    FIELD TRIPS — EXPLORING THE RICHNESS OF THE BAY AREA

    Our teachers take over 35 field trips each school year to support our students in gaining a broader understanding of the world beyond school. We tour over five local science museums including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California Academy of Sciences, and the San Jose Discovery Museum. We participate in environmental and service learning at local parks, sustainable farms, and wildlife refuges.

    Professional Develoment - A Community of Learners

    With a large budget dedicated to professional development, staff can access a broad range of learning and growth opportunities. Our staff have previously attended and continue to attend a wide variety of conferences, including a local LGBTQ rights advocacy conference, the National People of Color Conference, Readers and Writer’s Workshop Institutes at the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, California Mathematics Council’s Math Conference, and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) conference.

     

    ENROLLED STUDENTS

    Peninsula is a unique co-educational private school with classes ranging from preschool through 8th grade.

    CHILDCARE

    Peninsula School is happy to provide childcare each weekday during the school year and over the summer. Our hours range from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. and 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. during the school year. In the summer, our hours range from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. At Childcare, students are offered snack and a wide range of opportunities for play and study.

    PENINSULA FAMILIES COME FROM ALL OVER THE BAY AREA

    We have families attend Peninsula from all over the Bay Area! Families commute from Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Redwood City, Newark, Fremont, Hayward, Los Altos, Portola Valley, Woodside, Atherton, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Carlos, Belmont, Hillsborough, La Honda, and San Francisco. 

    CAMPING — VALUING NATURE AND EACH OTHER

    Peninsula School’s collective camping trips add up to an average of 10 unique trips and approximately 45 overnights across all grades each year. These trips begin at a developmentally appropriate age for each child, often around seven or eight. Through camping, students build a deeper awareness of nature, self, and others, growing in self-confidence and the ability to collaborate and problem-solve.

    AFTER PENINSULA

    Our graduates attend a variety of local independent and public high schools including Menlo Atherton High School, TIDE Academy, Design Tech, Mid-Peninsula, and Sequoia High School. Virtually all high schools report that they find Peninsula alumni to be intellectually curious, intrinsically motivated, and community minded.

    Peninsula School creates a space where children thrive and develop their full promise as confident contributors in the world. Here they learn about themselves and others, discover their passions and growing intellectually in an inclusive community rich with choices, exploration, and play.