54 South Bay Accent
SAND HILL SCHOOL
650 Clark Way, Palo Alto
650/688-3605
www.sandhillschool.org
Sand Hill School provides a joyful, personalized
learning environment for bright
children with dyslexia and other learning
differences. The school features small,
multi-age classes and since Sand Hill is
part of Children’s Health Council (CHC),
there is ongoing access to CHC specialists
who provide in-class support as needed.
The daily schedule includes small-group
instruction in reading, writing and math,
social emotional learning, PE, visual and
performing arts, science and social studies,
routines, structure and predictability.
Personalized instruction builds students’
confidence and helps them acquire the
skills and resilience they need to thrive at
home, at school and in life.
Grade Level: 1-8th grade
Extracurricular: After-school enrichment
programs
Average Class Size: 12-14 students
Student Population: 70
Enrollment: Ongoing
Tuition: $39,000 for 2017-2018
SIERRA SCHOOL
220 B Blake Ave., Santa Clara
408/247-4740
www.sierraschool.com
Sierra School provides a high-quality, challenging,
comprehensive academic program
in an environment filled with inspiration,
trust, guidance and respect. Equally
important to the academic program is an
emphasis on specialized classes and enrichment
activities. Art, music, dance, character
education, Spanish and technology
with coding are all included in the curriculum.
Highlights of the year include
monthly field trips, science camp, fine arts
Fridays, a December songfest, a spring
musical, a school-wide design thinking
fair and a K-5 art show. Sierra believes all
students can be challenged, and the school
keeps its criteria high yet attainable for
each individual. Students are helped to
value honesty, reliability, productivity and
compassion with an overall goal of encouraging
them to discover, explore, reach and
accomplish.
Grade Level: K-12th grade
Extracurricular: Science Adventures,
Art, Dance, Chess, Soccer, Basketball,
Keyboard, Martial Arts, Engineering
Fundamentals with Legos
Average Class Size: 15
Student Population: 110
Enrollment: Ongoing
Tuition: $14,350-18,800
PRIVATE S CHOOL GUIDE
academic excellence, inclusive community,
and compassionate service to others. Students
and families reflect the unique blend
of cultural, ethnic, religious and secular
traditions of the Bay Area. The school’s
comprehensive academic and extracurricular
programs comprise a well-rounded
and challenging curriculum. Included
within St. Matthew’s core academic subjects
are fine and performing arts, world
languages, physical education and a Maker
program. St. Matthew’s multi-disciplinary
approach to education supports active,
student-centered learning and promotes
creativity, collaboration, and invention.
The school’s tech-savvy outlook prepares
students to be pioneers of positive change
in the world. Graduates are equipped with
strong leadership skills, academic confidence,
admirable character and are well
prepared to attend highly selective independent,
boarding, parochial and public
high schools.
Grade Level: Preschool-8th grade
Extracurricular: Athletic Teams, Musical
Theatre, Enrichment Courses
Average Class Size: 9-18
Student Population: 300
Enrollment: Ongoing
Tuition: $19,425-$31,230
tional travel. This fosters the development
of a foundation of self-esteem and personal
responsibility. In an emotionally and
physically safe environment, students learn
to think, solve problems and operate creatively.
Overall, nearly 95 percent of Palo
Alto Prep graduates go directly to college.
Palo Alto Prep is accredited by the Western
Association of Schools and Colleges, and is
also a UC A-G college prep school.
Grade Level: 8th-12th grade
Extracurricular: Field trips and excursions
featuring cultural activities, interactive
adventures, community service,
national and international field trips.
Average Class Size: 8
Student Population: 70
Enrollment: Ongoing
Tuition: $31,100
ST. MATTHEW EPISCOPAL
DAY SCHOOL
16 Baldwin Avenue, San Mateo
650/342-5436
www.stmatthewcath.org
Established in 1953, St. Matthew’s Episcopal
Day School has a distinguished history
of teaching students the core values of
