activities · 16
what they do
direct service · 16
- Administer fundraising initiatives for financial aidGenerates 10% of the annual operating budget through the Annual Fund and directs 100% of auction proceeds to financial aid, supporting need-blind admission.
- Deliver college counseling services College Transition MentorshipProvides college counseling to support student post-secondary planning, including guidance on applications, course selection, and career pathways.
- Deliver comprehensive arts education Youth Multidisciplinary Arts EducationOffers 35 elective arts courses and produces 3 drama productions annually for Upper School students; 11 arts electives and 3 drama productions for Middle School students, with all 6th graders required to complete foundational courses in Visual Art, Chorus, Dance, and Drama.
- Deliver hands-on project-based learning in innovation labStudents engage in project-based learning, such as building garden trellises from recycled materials in the Whitaker Lab, integrating sustainability and design thinking.
- Engage alumni and community supporters Student-Led Campus & Community Engagement ProgramsInvolves alumni and community members as volunteers in academic and athletic programs; alumni donations support the Alumni Scholarship Fund.
- Facilitate community engagement and service opportunities Service-Learning with Community EngagementOffers structured community engagement and service opportunities for students, including volunteer placements and service-learning initiatives.
- Host student coding hackathon STEM Showcase & Expo EventsOrganizes "Vibeathon," an inaugural coding hackathon designed to promote inclusivity in computer science and empower students to create technology with social impact.
- Implement middle school academic and experiential programs Student Travel ExpeditionsRequires all middle school students to take Learning Seminar and complete a Washington, D.C. class trip in 8th grade; integrates three years of computer science education into the curriculum.
- Maintain academic and community technology systems Parent & Student Information PortalsUses Canvas for assignment distribution, Veracross for student records and grade reporting, and Fortress—a custom system—for parent directories, course changes, and community engagement.
- Maintain student-faculty ratio and class size standards Low-Ratio Instructional ProgramsOperates with an 8:1 student-faculty ratio and an average class size of 16 students to ensure personalized instruction and academic support.
- Manage student enrollment and financial aid operations Tuition Assistance for Diverse Student EnrollmentEnrolls 815 students in grades 6–12, with 20% receiving financial aid; maintains a diverse student body with 58% of students identifying as people of color and representation from 51 ZIP codes.
- Operate Menlo Cares program Youth Mental Health Education & Peer SupportSupports student health and well-being through the Menlo Cares program, providing targeted resources and services to promote holistic student development.
- Operate school library School Library & Literacy Support ServicesRuns a school library that supports student learning, research, and academic inquiry across grade levels.
- Provide academic curriculum and co-curricular programs College-Preparatory Academic ProgramsOffers a rigorous academic environment for grades 9–12 with 40 advanced courses, an average class size of 18, and supported co-curricular opportunities, including travel-study to four global destinations.
- Provide dining and catering servicesOffers dining and catering services for students and the broader school community, supporting daily operations and community events.
- Run student internship programOperates an internship program that connects students with real-world experiences to build professional skills and explore career interests.
strategies · 10
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Alumni engagement for lifelong connection alumni_engagementMENLO SCHOOL cultivates enduring relationships with alumni through personalized engagement strategies to sustain community and mission alignment over time.
- Arts as a vehicle for creative and community development creative_thinking_through_artsImmersive arts education is used not only to develop creative thinking skills beyond the classroom but also to strengthen community and amplify student voice.
- Collaborative parent and faculty development parent_faculty_educationThe school supports continuous learning and collaboration among parents and faculty through dedicated conferences and education initiatives to strengthen the educational ecosystem.
- Community-supported institutional sustainability community_support_modelThe school relies on a community-based model that integrates time, wisdom, and financial contributions, complemented by endowment building, to ensure long-term stability and mission continuity amid external economic pressures.
- Habits-based educational framework habits-based educationA curriculum centered on Habits of Heart and Mind and Habits of Learning is used to foster student potential, cultivate passion for learning, and support development through strong teacher-student relationships, particularly in the middle school years.
- Inclusive community and belonging culture inclusive community buildingThe school intentionally fosters a kind, inclusive culture centered on trust, belonging, and being seen, where all students can thrive as their authentic selves and build strong community bonds, supported by both institutional practices and arts education.
- Integrated equity and inclusion in school culture equity_inclusivity_diversity_and_belongingEquity, inclusivity, diversity, and belonging are embedded systemically into school programming and culture as foundational elements of the educational experience.
- Student-centered learning environment student-centered learningMENLO SCHOOL empowers students to pursue academic excellence and develop curiosity, confidence, and deep understanding through a supportive, challenging, and joyful learning experience that fosters agency and personal passion.
- Technology-enabled learning and community integration digital_learning_platformA centralized digital learning platform and a custom information system are used to support instruction, student organization, and integrated community engagement and administrative functions.
- Upper school academic and co-curricular immersionUpper school students are immersed in a stimulating academic and co-curricular environment designed to encourage exploration, relationship-building, and development of personal passions.
named programs · 10
what they call their work
Athletics
Competitive sports programs for middle and upper school students across multiple sports and divisions
Catalyst Semester
Interdisciplinary, project-based learning program focused on global challenges and experiential education
College Counseling
Comprehensive college advising program supporting students through course selection, standardized testing, and college applications
Community Engagement
Service-learning program connecting middle and upper school students with local community organizations
Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Programs and strategic initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion including affinity groups and professional development
Internship Program
Opportunity for students to gain real-world experience through supervised internships with external organizations
M-Term
Short-term academic term offering immersive courses, travel programs, and independent projects
Menlo Cares
Student well-being initiative providing mental health support, counseling, and crisis resources
Middle School Program
Academic and extracurricular program for students in grades 6-8, including core subjects, arts, athletics, and human skills curriculum
Upper School Program
College preparatory program for students in grades 9-12 featuring advanced coursework, Catalyst Semester, MTerm, and Menlo IP research opportunities
relationships · 13
who they work with
- Canvas Partner — Learning management system used by Menlo School for course delivery and assignment tracking.
- Castilleja Partner — Hosts or participates in volleyball games with Menlo School's middle school team.
- Development Office Partner — Manages fundraising, donor relations, and stewardship efforts at Menlo School.
- Flik Partner — Partners with Flik for dining services and lunch menu provision.
- Katherine Palmer Partner — Director of Creative Arts at Menlo School
- Menlo Connect Network — Social network exclusively for Menlo alumni.
- Okta Partner — Authentication system used by Menlo School for access to web tools.
- Pinewood Partner — Competes against Menlo School's middle school girls JVA volleyball team.
- Priory Partner — Hosts swimming jamboree events involving Menlo School's upper school team.
- Ravenna Partner — Uses Ravenna platform for admissions applications and inquiries
- SCOIR Partner — Partners with SCOIR for college counseling services and resources.
- St. Ignatius Partner — Competes against Menlo School in boys lacrosse games.
- Veracross Partner — Platform used by Menlo School for student information, including schedules and grade reports.