Menlo School

50 Valparaiso Avenue

Atherton, CA 94027

13 Reviews

School District
Grade

6-12
Type

private

Find Homes for Sale in this School Zone

Reviews

Submitted by other on January 30, 2024

School has alot of resources for students who want to try different things... lots of different sports programs / arts / dance / academic courses. These are big pluses... BUT here are some areas I do enjoy:1: The math dept looks like a mess. some recent hires were from not so great schools. S/he would hand out work sheets at the start of class, let the students discuss in groups while s/he would watch videos (kayaking etc - who openly admitted during parents teacher conference). Students can ask questions if they r stuck but s/he would answer vaguely and that would be it. that will be the end of class. Why spending over 60k for tuition when the teacher(s) don't even teach enough?2: They have alot of students from strong family background / relationship - VC / Corporate Execs / Doc etc. Some students would openly admit that his/her parents wrote big checks (millions of $) to gain admission to elite colleges. But this is how the game is played, it's not what you know but who you know.3: Students get bullied, good luck seeking help4: There are a bunch of (the same) familes who are always helping the school / students 5: Every year the school would ask for donations from families (which is true for most private institutions). Seems like the school also has donations from corporations too. Some teachers complaint they aren't pay the same as peers (diff dept).... but the principal seems to be getting paid well (700k). 6: They have alot of smart students though. Many of them have excellent GPA, almost (if not) perfect SAT / ACT. But again there are students who would take easy classes (non AP / Hons), sleep during classes (which exists in any schools of course), B-C grades yet because of family connection, would write big checks to gain admission to elite colleges (a fact in the world.... at least a million$ / yr)
Submitted by parent on November 09, 2022

We have been a longtime family at Menlo School spanning many, many years with multiple kids and this year (2022) is the first year where it's obvious the school caliber has dropped to a low that's far below the standards of great education - public or private. While bias exists in any review and it's easy to simply think of just the personal situation, I waited to write this review to be able to poll and speak to dozens and dozens of families in multiple grades and see if our collective feedback to administration would be heard (the answer is NO).The math department, one of the most valued at this school, is absurdly underwhelming. Rather than go on a whining-fest, let me just summarize by saying that Menlo has adopted a no teaching method for math. In ALL grades. Teachers come to class, handout the day's worksheet and tell the students to learn the material and do the worksheet on their own. Then they sit at their desk or walk around in case anyone may have questions. Some teachers appear good at answering questions, others not at all.They do not review for tests, there is such a long line at tutorial (because they don't teach!) so most kids can't actually get help and I've now heard that most students are being taught by outside tutors. We pay $55,000 a year so the kids teach themselves through worksheets?! We are considering leaving the school and will never recommend it to anyone (and we get asked A LOT). And despite so many families gently giving feedback to the head of school - ZERO communication about whether there is anything in the works.
Submitted by student on February 23, 2022

I am currently a student at Menlo and while there are a lot of great things about this school like some of the teachers, classes, and unique experience, it all gets watered down by a huge layer of elitism, passive-aggressiveness, and lack of a student-administration relationship. Menlo has always been a troubling school for me. EVERY other student at this school, could get straight As 4.4 GPA at another school. Since every student is supposed to be super achieving, the school dilutes the grades. Even if you feel like you deserved at least a A- on something you spent 10+ hours working on, you could still receive Bs or lower because of some stupid micro details. Not to mention the ridiculous amount of homework (2-4 hours per night). It's good to have academic rigor, but Menlo's has the effect of making everyone feel downward and unhappy with themselves. It's not uncommon to hear people complain about how much work they have or how much sleep they're not getting. It's frustrating. Your rare good moods could get completely weighed down by both difficult classes and your pears who are more moody than you are. Not to mention, there's a HUGE layer of passive-aggressiveness from everyone. People's conversations are SO judgemental, from both students and teachers. While, I don't blame them for it, it's extremely annoying to see everyone be so negative all the time. As for teachers, I've had really good teachers but I've also had some awful teachers. They wouldn't give out extensions to students who needed it, showed preferences toward certain students, and made examples if someone got the wrong answer in class (even in honors or AP setting). The teachers at Menlo are a mixed bag. The administration however are one-way people, it's either their way or the highway. They would go out of their way to prevent students from hanging out with each other outside of school and they prevented parents from going to indoor sports games all in an effort to prevent Covid spread. That sounds good right? But then it immediately becomes hypocritical when the principal is caught going to the Warriors game while still enforcing the rules. Also the administration is preventing us from saying ANYTHING partially negative at sports games. Even statements like "talk it over" got banned. What's the purpose of having student leadership clubs when the students aren't even involved in minor decision makings like this. I love a lot of things about Menlo but man its so hard to credit this school
Submitted by student on September 19, 2019

Going to Menlo was the worst decision that I have made up to this point in my young life. At least 80% of the incoming freshmen are bound for Ivy League or similar schools before they get to Menlo. If every Menlo student attended public school, the majority of them would be able to get into Ivys, Stanford, MIT or at least one comparable school. Don't let yourself be fooled by Menlo's impressive college matriculation lists. The reality is that if those same students never went to Menlo, almost every single one of them would have gone to more prestigious colleges, or at least had more options. The problem is that Menlo's student body is too smart and too hard working and academically competitive. This sounds like a great thing; there's no question that it's a school administrator's dream. What makes it negative is a combination of that incredible level of competitiveness and RIDICULOUS PRESSURE to succeed academically. The other problem is something that we call "grade deflation." The term isn't very accurate, but the reality it reflects is a situation in which there are too many brilliant students at one school and they can't all get As. Other schools, like a certain rival school across the street, ignore this and simply give every student good grades. Menlo's grading policies are putting its students at a significant disadvantage compared to their peer schools. I'm happy at the college I ended up at but I know how much my options were limited by my time at Menlo.To be fair to Menlo, the teachers are incredible and the school does a good job of preparing kids for college. It's just that, in preparing kids with incredible academic rigor, Menlo significantly limits their options for colleges. Menlo's administration is toxic and a few key members refuse to accept the possibility that any of these limitations could exist. Also, the dean of students is just the biggest dick in the world. How hard is it to act like a normal human being sometimes, man?I hope that just one young student or parent reads this and gives some serious consideration to just going to a different school. I went to public school until high school, there really is nothing wrong with it.
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2019

Been great so far. They are thinking ahead. I like that they don't shy away from difficult conversations with the kids. Middle school years are difficult to navigate and so far we have had a great partnership with Menlo and the teachers. It is definitely a challenging school that asks a lot of its students.
Submitted by student on June 28, 2018

There is a great and close community, as well as supportive teachers, students, and outstanding facilities.
Submitted by other on January 01, 2017

Excellent academics, creative and caring faculty, responsive administration, inclusive student body, generous financial aid.
Submitted by other on July 13, 2015

I enjoyed my experience at the school, however I completely disagree with where the schools mission and direction are headed.
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2014

Great School, teachers, lots of support, and super hardworking and smart students. SAT I CR: 90-95%tile nationally, 90-95%tile CA state, but only place you around 50-60%tile at this school. SAT I Math: 96%tile nationally, 96%tile CA state, but only place you around 60-70%tile at this school
Submitted by parent on May 14, 2013

My child attended Menlo's Upper School and overall it is above average, but not exceptional. There are some strong teachers here and a few my child would identify as truly engaging. At the same time, some teachers seemed to be assigned class sections outside their normal subjects, and that lack of experience carried into the classroom. Talking with other parents there were significant disparities between some teachers and others, especially within the physical and social sciences. To be fair, our expectations of Menlo were probably set too high. Taking less than 20% of those who apply, people raved about the school. Our child came from a highly ranked public elementary school system that school also had a mixed bag of teachers. As we were now writing a large tuition check, we expected higher quality and more consistency. Menlo is good, but by no means an educational utopia. Other observations -- Menlo could greatly improve how they integrate new students with existing ones as there is a definite hierarchy, but after awhile you see the school spirit is strong. In addition some of the $ spent in staff (there are a lot of them) might be better invested in the classroom.
Submitted by other on November 07, 2012

I am a proud alumna who maintains a great connection with the Menlo School community. I truly feel that Menlo was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I was awarded the financial aid I needed to fit in with my peers. I was able to pay for my photography supplies, books, and Menlo gear at the bookstore, amongst many other necessities. I was even provided a tutor so that I could be on an equal playing field with other students, who had incredible study skills and were well-prepared from their respective middle schools. Despite their privilege, all of my peers were very humble. I made many great friends with students, faculty and staff. The teachers were always available, and I went to office hours on a weekly basis for extra help. Many of my friends and their parents became extended family. As a confident and proud minority, I have always felt welcomed and supported at Menlo. I often tell people that I left Menlo more knowledgeable and happier than when I graduated from University. The curriculum was so rigorous that I could have easily started a successful career.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2012

My children are having a wonderful experience at Menlo School. The academic offerings are extensive and challenging but the caring teachers are available to help when needed. Teachers seek students out when necessary and parents are kept informed. Teachers have been supportive of my children s individual needs and this seems to be the norm. Both my children are enthusiastic about going to school. Menlo fosters engagement in not only the classroom but in all aspects of the School community. Students are inclusive and when my children, new to the school as freshman, have felt welcome and valued. Menlo encourages families to become involved. Events are sponsored that help new families transition to the school easy. Large numbers of parents volunteer at the school and all are encouraged to participate. We chose Menlo after visiting several other schools but we didn t consider any of the other independent schools because there were none that, we felt, compared to Menlo. From our first visit to Menlo we met many thoughtful parents, faculty, and staff and could immediately see why Menlo was different from the other schools.
Submitted by other on August 05, 2012

This school is pathetic. It teaches the kids to have a sense of entitlement and a lack of community. It's all about being rich. Even on their application they only have 3 questions for parents and one is "What can you give to Menlo?" ....they also ask the name of the student's grandparents (in case they are rich & important and the school doesn't connect the names). I am ashamed of this school.