LOCATED
IN THE
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA
62 South Bay Accent
PRIVATE S CHOOL GUIDE
ways been one, ever since 1959 when artist
and educator Gwen Riches gathered children
and friends for an after-school program
in her Los Altos home. Today visitors
to the sunlit 25-acre campus instantly recognize
something special: a supportive environment
focused on the whole child, led
by expert teachers who clearly love what
they do. A proven college-preparatory curriculum
sets high expectations for both
character and academics, so students become
not just good communicators and
critical thinkers but resilient citizens who
behave with authentic kindness and respect.
An age-tailored early childhood program
gives little ones’ curiosity a workout,
while upper-grade classes continue to foster
the spontaneous, broad-based learning
that takes every individual far in life.
Grade Level: Preschool–12th grade
Extracurricular: Athletics, Speech/Debate,
Robotics, Visual/Performing Arts,
Educational and Community Servicebased
Field Trips, and 30+ Clubs
Average Class Size: Varies by grade and
subject matter
Student Population: 500
Enrollment: Applications accepted Oct.–
Feb., rolling admissions as space available
Tuition: Varies by grade, tuition assistance
available
PENINSULA SCHOOL
920 Peninsula Way, Menlo Park.
650/325-1584, www.peninsulaschool.org
Every child is born with natural curiosity,
and empowering kids as learners helps that
curiosity blossom and thrive. That’s the
driving principle at Peninsula School. Cofounded
in 1925 by parent and pioneering
educator Josephine Duveneck, the nonprofit
provides a joyful learning environment
for nursery through eighth graders,
in a wooded 6-acre setting where kids can
safely collaborate and play. The grade-free
curriculum promotes rigorous questioning,
independent decision-making, and
experiential learning; low teacher-student
ratios allow time to explore subjects with
intention and depth. Daily “class meetings”
teach kids to resolve conflict, appreciate
diversity, and find their voice.
Graduates go on to excel as intellectually
engaged high schoolers, ethical citizens,
and compassionate leaders.
Grade Level: Nursery–8th grade
Extracurricular: Cross Country, Basketball,
Drumming, Yoga
Average Class Size: 18–22
Student Population: 252
Enrollment: Applications year-round.
Tuition: Half-day nursery $16,460, halfto
full day kindergarten $19,520, full-day
K–8, $21,620
