Why Peninsula?
Every child deserves to become fully themselves.
Choosing a school is one of the most meaningful decisions a family will make. You're not simply selecting an environment where your child will learn to read, solve equations, or write essays. You're choosing a community that will help shape how they see themselves, how they relate to others, and how they engage with the world.
At Peninsula School, we believe children flourish when they are deeply known, trusted, challenged, and inspired. For more than 100 years, our progressive approach to education has nurtured curious minds, confident voices, compassionate hearts, and capable young people who graduate prepared not only for outstanding high schools, but for thoughtful, meaningful lives.
An Extraordinary Childhood
Childhood is not simply preparation for the future—it is a remarkable and important chapter of life in its own right.
We believe children deserve days filled with curiosity, creativity, friendship, movement, exploration, laughter, and meaningful work. They deserve time to build, wonder, question, create, revise, collaborate, and discover the satisfaction that comes from solving real problems.
Walk across our six wooded acres and you'll find children conducting experiments in the Science Cottage, shaping clay in the ceramics studio, learning traditional weaving techniques, engaging in collaborative projects, building in the woodshop, making music, playing spirited games, reading beneath the trees, tending the garden, and participating in lively conversations that stretch their thinking. These experiences are not separate from academics—they are integral to the way children learn.
Michele Buschini
Director of Admissions & Enrollment
If you would like to connect, please complete our Inquiry Form, or email admissions@peninsulaschool.org.
A Progressive Education with Purpose
Progressive education is often misunderstood as simply giving children more freedom. At Peninsula, it means something much richer.
It means believing that children learn most deeply when they are active participants in their education—asking thoughtful questions, making meaningful choices, collaborating with others, building resilience, and taking increasing responsibility for their learning.
Our teachers are experienced, thoughtful educators who know when to challenge, when to encourage, when to step in with support, and when to step back. They create classrooms where academic excellence and joyful learning go hand in hand, and where every child is encouraged to think critically, communicate clearly, solve problems creatively, explore ideas deeply, and contribute meaningfully to their community.
The Peninsula Promise
Every child enrolled at Peninsula becomes part of a community committed to nurturing them as whole, healthy individuals.
We promise that your child will be known and valued.
That their curiosity will be protected.
That their mind will be challenged.
That their creativity will be celebrated.
That their confidence will grow through authentic experiences and meaningful responsibility.
That they will be surrounded by caring adults who see not only the student they are today, but the person they are becoming.
Experience Peninsula
There is more to Peninsula than can be easily captured in words.
It is the feeling of children greeting teachers and friends with genuine affection. The conversations and projects that continue long after class has ended. The confidence of students sharing their ideas and leading community meetings. The laughter echoing through the wooded campus. The quiet pride of a child who has discovered they can do hard things or accomplish something they never thought possible.
The best way to understand Peninsula is to experience it.
We invite you to visit our Menlo Park campus, meet our students and teachers, and see firsthand how a progressive education can nurture not only exceptional learners, but thoughtful and extraordinary human beings.
We look forward to welcoming your family.
WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US FOR UPCOMING ADMISSIONS EVENTS!