Peninsula School

When our son had a challenging experience in public school TK, we knew we needed a different approach - that's when we discovered Peninsula School in Menlo Park, and it has transformed our children's educational journey. What sets Peninsula apart is their progressive, child-led philosophy that genuinely respects each student's individual path. Our son, now in 2nd grade, has blossomed from a hesitant learner into a confident student who proudly identifies as an avid reader, mathematician, and science enthusiast. Meanwhile, our daughter is in her second year of preschool, developing leadership skills and emotional intelligence through meaningful peer interactions. The teachers here are extraordinary. They maintain consistent communication - sometimes daily - and demonstrate a deep understanding of each child's unique personality, challenges, and strengths. This isn't just surface-level observation; they truly know our children and nurture their natural curiosities and talents. The school's emphasis on social justice, inclusivity and growth mindset creates an environment where children feel safe to explore, make mistakes, and learn from them. Play isn't just tolerated here - it's recognized as a vital component of learning. This approach has resulted in remarkable academic and social-emotional growth in both our children. One of the most unexpected benefits has been the strong community bonds formed among both children and parents. The friendships developed here are genuine and supportive, creating a warm, inclusive environment that extends beyond the classroom.

When we first began exploring schools for our son, private education was never something we envisioned for our family. My wife and I grew up attending public schools, and the idea of sending our child to a private school, especially one as unconventional as Peninsula School, seemed foreign to us. I was particularly skeptical, wondering if it was truly necessary to invest in a private education, especially at a place where children were encouraged to walk around barefoot, climb trees, and didn't have regular homework. We dutifully looked at other schools, including private ones that proudly highlighted their STEM courses and robotics labs. While these offerings were impressive, they didn't align with what we felt was most important for our son at this stage in his life. Our priority during these early years has been fostering his social and emotional development, nurturing his curiosity, and helping kindle his joy of learning. We believe this foundation will be invaluable in helping him handle the academic pressures that will undoubtedly come. I'm not preparing him to be an engineer or computer programmer right now-I want him to learn how to learn, to find joy in the process, so that he can pursue any path, including ones that don't even exist yet.We wanted to delay the onslaught of academic pressure for as long as possible, and give him space to grow and learn at his own pace, without the stress of tests and rigid academic milestones. In short, we wanted him to have the chance to be a child-to explore, play, and discover the world naturally and joyfully.Our son has flourished at Peninsula. He's become a kind, funny, confident, and curious child who navigates different friend groups with ease. We are deeply grateful to his kindergarten and first grade teacher, who helped nurture our shy boy's curiosity and build up his confidence, and who encouraged his creativity and love of woodworking and crafts. He can still be shy and silly, often hanging back to observe before diving into a new activity, but these traits are respected rather than viewed as things to be discouraged or outgrown.One thing we've noticed about Peninsula kids is their confidence and independence when interacting with children from other schools. They seem to relish physical activities (climbing especially) and approach challenges with a sense of adventure and resilience. This confidence and love for activity is something we see reflected in our son as well.Our family has also benefited from the strong sense of community at Peninsula. We've formed deep bonds with other families, connections that we didn't anticipate but are incredibly grateful for.In the end, Peninsula School has given our son, and our family, something we didn't even know we were looking for: a place where our child can be himself, explore his interests, and develop into a well-rounded, happy, and confident person. And for that, we couldn't be more thankful.

All five of my children attended Peninsula School, Nursery through 8th grade, and while no school is perfect, it was a perfect choice for them and our family. We enrolled them at a time when we were learning that our neighbor's kids were overwhelmed with strict schedules and oodles of homework (in early elementary!) and at our core knew that we didn't want that for them. We wanted them in school, socialized and learning obviously, but not so bogged down with the pressures of performance that they missed out on just being kids and having a childhood. And as two FT working parents, we cherished our family time and did not wish to spend it focused on completing school projects, homework, and test prep. The ratios of teachers to students at Peninsula, the physical space and camp-like environment, the mixed grade and unique pathways that are available for each child's learning and socio-emotional style, and the ability to pursue the joy in learning (vs. grades, high-stakes testing, and homework in early grades) were all that spoke to us, and the school did not disappoint. We were folded into a community that felt warm, authentic, and kind. Each of my children is unique, and each of their experiences was unique at Peninsula School, but the common theme was that they all loved going to school, they never got burnt out on "doing school", and they all transitioned to large public high schools and on to college without a hitch.

We love that Peninsula engages children's curiosity and process of learning. The curriculum is designed to challenge students academically while also teaching life skills. The emphasis on community and collaboration has helped them build meaningful relationships. My child really feels at home in this community.Our child has blossomed in this supportive environment. The teachers are not only educators- they are mentors who understand and care about each child. Students have the freedom to explore their interests and are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and discover their passions. As a result, our child has developed a stronger sense of self.We were previously at our local public school, where our child had a decent experience, but something felt missing. We wanted an environment that would not just educate but also empower and nurture our child to grow into the confident individual they are meant to be. Coming to Peninsula School has been a life-changing decision for our family.

Peninsula School is a wonderful place for children to play, grow, and learn. Our son is currently in his fourth year at Peninsula and his development has been extraordinary, especially as it relates to confidence and social skills. The school emphasizes holistic development, focusing heavily on autonomy, decision-making, and social interactions with other children and adults to bolster self-confidence and the willingness to take risks and embrace challenges. Freedom and responsibility are part of the core values of Peninsula which means lots of free time and choice. It also means that kids can climb trees and play with other children in a manner that allows for far more freedom than you've likely seen anywhere else! The campus is an oak forest in Menlo Park and the kids spend much of their time outdoors. We have watched our son go from being apprehensive about climbing on anything to scaling trees and structures all around campus all the time. Learning the basics happens in a low-pressure environment with no homework and no grades. Also, no screens. So, the Peninsula is a bit of an outlier in Silicon Valley - a wonderful kind of place that allows children to play and interact with each other and the world in a low-stress setting. The result is that graduates tend to be very well-rounded mature and balanced as people.

Peninsula is a progressive K-8 private school housed on the grounds of a historic building. Their teachers focus on a combination of exploratory and social-emotional learning while still hitting key academics such as math (there's still worksheets), science (hands-on and project-based), and history (reports and collaboration). They allow students to have afternoon "choice" activities to instill a greater sense of agency and provide access to claymaking, woodworking, and weaving as art options. From 4th-8th, music eschews typical school band for a rock band, which is both more fun but also allows kids to learn the collaborative nature of being in a tight group. As a special needs family, they have listened to our specific concerns and addressed them all with a focus on equitable access.

As an alumna (pre-school through 8th grade) and now nursery school parent at Peninsula, I can say Peninsula is truly a unique educational experience. Peninsula's program and committed and caring staff nurture the whole child and provide a progressive education academic program with a focus on social and emotional learning with a special sauce of nearly 100 years of traditions and rich experiential learning in a one-of-a-kind campus. For me, Peninsula helped me become a passionate life-long learner who excelled academically while staying true to who I am and maintaining a deep sense of what I care about and what drives me. For my son, his first years at Peninsula have been incredible to see him thrive and grow, taught and cared for by an incredible staff of teachers, specialists and staff who adore him for his unique personality and both support and challenge him in just the way he needs. I can't recommend Peninsula highly enough!

Peninsula School is a gem for children who are self-driven, and inquisitive, and seek the freedom, voice, and choice to pursue their passions. When my son joined Peninsula in fourth grade, we noticed a revitalized enthusiasm for learning. Within months, he became more engaged in both his schoolwork and extracurricular activities. He felt empowered to explore his interests in music, books, engineering, and science with renewed energy. Peninsula is an excellent choice for parents who prioritize their child's social-emotional development. This focus is deeply embedded in the school's culture, where students are encouraged to become socially aware and take responsibility for their decisions. Through team projects, my son has learned to problem-solve, advocate for himself, and navigate peer relationships effectively. The school's environment promotes an open mind, an appreciation for diversity, and a strong sense of community and loyalty. Additionally, school traditions are a cherished aspect of the educational experience. My son especially enjoys the annual rock concert, the end-of-year go-kart race, and the camping trips. He eagerly anticipates returning for the next school year. We deeply appreciate the joy that Peninsula brings to our child.

We found out about Peninsula School from a neighbor. We were moving back to the Bay Area after 4 years on the East Coast, and were feeling very nervous about finding a school and a community that would help our daughter and son thrive in a new environment. We narrowed down our choices to Peninsula and a few other schools, and after spending a day shadowing on Peninsula's beautiful 6 acre campus, we were sold. The child-centered holistic approach to learning, the incredible teachers and staff, and the variety of activities throughout the school year from camping to rock concert to woodshop to basketball to choose your own learning adventure through a "Choice" are not extras at Peninsula - they form the core of the thoughtful program built and refined over its 100-year history.After graduating from Peninsula, my daughter enrolled in the rigorous IB diploma program at Sequoia, and my son discovered his love of music and math, thanks to his teachers' encouragement. More than academics, I am proud of the critical thinkers and fiercely independent global citizens my children have become with a clear moral compass guided by empathy, social justice and curiosity.When you join Peninsula, you're not just joining a school. You're joining a lifelong community of friends who care deeply about progressive education and upholding its principles every day. And while you're expected to lean into help create the magic as part of an engaged community, you get back so much more - authentic friendships, joyful gatherings and and a delightful oasis in the midst of the hubbub of Silicon Valley.

Peninsula School has been an amazing experience for our first grader and for us as his parents. The school puts joy, love, and play at the center of the learning environment and process. Instead of orienting on test scores and grades, Peninsula School strives to instill and nurture the love of learning, the internal desire to explore and understand, and it shows - our child loves going to school everyday, and we witness the blossoming of his curiosity and confidence to engage in all kinds of pursuits, from reading to woodworking to physical play to arithmetic.Peninsula emphasizes the development of the whole child - self-confidence, emotional awareness, the ability to understand others and form deep friendships, the willingness to take risks and embrace challenges. Freedom and responsibility are part of the core values of Peninsula, which has helped our child on his journey towards independence - from learning how to walk around campus on his own to thinking about and choosing from a variety of daily activities.The teachers at Peninsula continue to impress us with their thoughtfulness, authenticity, and talent, as well as their passion for the pillars of progressive education. Our child regularly wants to stay a little longer when we come to pick him up from after care, which is heartwarming. And we love how intentional the families are about building community among the parents and the kids.We are so happy and grateful that our child is at Peninsula School.