Peninsula – Silicon Valley Private School Guide 2022

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Meet Dawson, student leader, engineer, volunteer. Dawson also loves robotics, cooking and magic. While he’s on his own with the last two, we’ve got him covered for robotics, as well as hundreds of other activities and classes – and inspiring teachers – to spark his passions. Our students and our teachers bring their unique talents and zest for life together to create a vibrant community that encourages everyone to be the best they can be, each and every day.

Whether you champion environmental causes, enjoy dancing, programming, sculpting, water polo or the Beat Generation, you can discover yourself at Harker, and have a great time doing it. Check us out!

Student Leader. Engineer. Volunteer.

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The Harker School | San Jose, CA | K-12 College Prep | www.harker.org

Why Consider Private School?

Many parents feel that their children will thrive better in what they believe is a smaller, safer environment with more room for personal attention. And while public schools must follow a curriculum heavily influenced by state standards, private schools have more freedom to customize lessons to students’ individual ways of learning.

Private schools can also point to low studentteacher ratios, freedom from state standards and testing, and lots of extras like music, foreign languages, and art that are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools. Rest assured, promise school experts, there is a school out there to suit every child.

There are two primary sorts of private schools— independent schools and parochial schools.

Independent schools are defined as nonprofit private schools with their own governing board of trustees. While most people commonly refer to independent schools as private, lumping them in with parochial

Private schools can also point to low student-teacher ratios, freedom from state standards and testing, and lots of extras like music, foreign languages, and art that are underfunded or nonexistent in public schools.

and for profit schools, they are distinct because they are nonprofit and self-governing.

Parochial schools, where tuition is typically one-third that of independent schools, offer traditional instruction and have solid reputations. Families who are “in-parish,” that is, who live within the schools’ official parish boundaries or volunteer and participate regularly in the parish, get first priority. Otherwise, the application procedures are similar to independent schools.

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Why Consider Private School?

When considering private school education, think about these benefits as outlined by the Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area (www.issfba.org):

High academic standards

Independent schools nurture intellectual curiosity, stimulate personal growth, and encourage critical thinking. A larger percentage of students at independent schools are enrolled in advanced courses than in public schools.

Small classes and individual attention

Independent schools have low student-teacher ratios that encourage close connections with students. The median ratio in schools that are members of the National Association of Independent Schools in 2021–2022 was 8.4 students to 1 teacher.

Excellent teachers

Educators usually teach in their areas of expertise and are passionate about what they do. With more autonomy within the classroom, teachers are able to develop a full understanding of how each student learns and what motivates and inspires each individually.

cont’d.

Greater likelihood of a student completing a bachelor’s or graduate degree education. Independent schools nurture not just students’ intellectual ability and curiosity but also their personal and social growth and civic conscience. Opportunities extend well beyond the classroom to athletic competitions, artistic pursuits, and school leadership experiences.

Inclusiveness

Schools maintain diverse and vibrant student communities and welcome and respect each family. In 2021–22, students of color were 32 percent of total independent school enrollment nationally.

A community of parents who actively participate in their children’s education

Independent schools promote regular communication among students, parents, and teachers to ensure everyone is working toward the same goals for the student.

The opportunity to choose a school with a mission

You can select a school whose philosophy, values, and teaching approach is right for your child. 

The

School Search:

With every private school brochure flashing photos of smiling students thriving in science labs and onstage, it can be hard to tell schools apart. Though on closer look, each school has its own personality, spanning a wider range of educational styles and often offering smaller classes than public schools.

Some schools follow distinct educational philosophies like Waldorf or Montessori. Others focus on music, offer a girlsonly student body, a year-round schedule, or teach their curriculum exclusively in French. There are schools with impressive art, sports, drama, and science programs. Some are K–5 or K–8, others only grades 6–8, and still others are K–12. All of these schools have the luxury of complete freedom in designing curriculum to fit the school’s philosophy because they are not subject to the state testing

standards imposed on public schools.

A simple way to begin thinking about which private school may be right for your child is to look at how the school is structured. For example, some schools do not assign homework and others group different grades together in one classroom. By doing this step, it is easy to rule out schools that are not of interest.

It’s time to start thinking about fall of 2023 if your child is about to begin her last year of preschool or is in fifth or eighth grade. Starting a year before you actually need to can help relieve anxiety as well as give you time to do your research.

The timeline for what can be a rigorous search for private schools begins with open house events and tours starting in September; applications in December and January; and acceptance or rejection letters in early March. The sooner you can start checking out schools that interest you, the better, whether those schools are independent or parochial.

An easy, simple way to begin thinking about which private school may be right for your child is to look at how the school is structured.

Private

Where to Start?

The Private School Search: Where to Start? cont’d.

Parents who have been through the process before recommend the following combination of first steps:

• Look hard at your finances to see what kind of tuition your household is willing to handle. Find out if there are extra costs for books, computers, or after-school care, and if the school offers financial aid.

• Weed out schools that won’t work because of things like location or early start times.

• Learn basic facts like the number of students enrolled and student-teacher ratio.

• Consider your child’s particular learning style by consulting with current teachers (from preschool or day care, for example).

• Think about your family’s educational philosophy. Ask how students are tested, and how teachers convey expectations, teach classes and administer grades.

• Make a list of what matters most to you and your child. Perhaps it’s that the school is diverse, emphasizes the arts, has a grassy play area or a dance studio. It could also be that your child needs before-school care, elementary grades only, or an alternative learning environment.

• Talk to families whose children already attend those schools. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions. Ask

other families what unique programs their children have benefitted from.

• If your child is entering kindergarten and has a fall birthday, research schools’ age cutoffs. Private schools usually prefer that children turn five before entering kindergarten. Some use cutoff dates as early as June 1st.

• Once you’ve got a list of schools to check out, create a list of admission event dates, application and financial assistance registration deadlines.

As parents move through this lengthy process, they should reflect on the desires, needs, and learning styles of their child. This process is different depending on the child’s age. There are things that are clear about a fifth-grader (like how they handle homework and social conflict, whether they favor sports or the arts) that aren’t evident yet with a preschooler. Parents of eighthgraders have the easiest and the hardest time with this. While it’s easier for the parents of a middle-schooler to pinpoint the social tendencies and learning style of their 13-year-old, that teenager often has thoughts of her own about which school to attend.

The school search process can be a stressful one. However, with some advance preparation and clear goals, it doesn’t have to be onerous. You might even gain some new insight into yourself and your child along the way. 

A month-by-month guide to the application process.

Basic Timeline

Although not every school follows the exact schedule, many follow similar timetables for admission. The following is a timeline to help you in the admissions process. Many schools are now offering both virtual and in-person admissions events.

AUGUST

(of the year before you want your child to attend)

❑ Define your ideal school.

❑ Find schools that match your child’s needs.

❑ Research and ask questions of schools on your preliminary list.

SEPTEMBER

❑ Browse schools’ websites, look books to learn more about their programs and philosophies.

❑ Request admissions and financial aid material by phone or online.

❑ Create a calendar of pertinent admission and financial assistance deadlines for the schools to which you are considering applying.

❑ Ask elementary schools about their test schedules and make appointments.

❑ Register for any standardized tests required for admission.

❑ Review the test websites to learn about procedures and test dates, see sample questions, and purchase testpreparation books.

❑ Call schools to schedule individual tours, class visits, interviews, and “shadow days”.

OCTOBER

❑ Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests.

❑ Visit schools, virtually if necessary, during open houses, information sessions, and tours.

❑ Finalize the list of schools to which you will apply.

❑ Take required standardized admission tests.

NOVEMBER

❑ Continue scheduling tours, interviews, class visits, and standardized or school-based tests.

❑ Continue to watch for admission events you may want to attend.

❑ Request teacher recommendations from your child’s current school.

❑ Start working on applications, financial assistance forms, student questionnaires, and essays.

for Applying to a Private School

DECEMBER

❑ Continue to watch for any admission or school events of interest.

❑ Request transcripts at the end of your child’s first semester.

❑ Complete any remaining applications, questionnaires, etc. Some application materials are due as early as December.

JANUARY

❑ Pay attention to deadlines: Most schools’ applications are due in January or February, along with tests scores, references, transcripts, and financial assistance forms.

❑ Financial assistance applications are normally due in January or February.

FEBRUARY

❑ For schools with February admissions deadline turn in applications.

❑ Re-visit schools applied to again or have your child participate in a student shadow day if you haven’t already.

MARCH

❑

Watch for school decisions starting in mid-March.

❑ Watch for financial assistance decisions about this same time.

❑ If your student is accepted by multiple schools, decide which school your child will attend.

APRIL

❑ Sign and return enrollment contracts and deposits.

MAY TO SEPTEMBER

❑

Attend events and activities for new parents and students during spring and summer.

❑ Get to know other families in the school.

❑ Sign up for fall sports and clubs.

Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org.

What to Expect When Applying to Private School

Your first step is to research and visit schools, ideally starting the search at least a year before you plan to submit the application for your child. It takes time to determine which school is the best fit for your child. Navigating the application process can be overwhelming, but it can also be exciting. Here are tips on how to get your child into the right school.

• After creating your short list of schools, call or email the school’s admissions office to find out about open house events, school tours, private visits, or other events that will allow you to get to know the school as best as possible.

The school’s admissions office will also tell you about application requirements, including deadlines and costs.

While each school has its own criteria for admitting students, the typical application package involves:

• A completed application form, usually available from the school’s website, and application fee.

• Parent or guardian statements.

• A transcript of your child’s grades from her current school.

• Results from standardized tests or a schooladministered test. For middle school grades and above, the most common tests are: The Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE; the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT; the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools.

Depending on the grade to which you are applying, some schools might also ask for:

• Student writing samples.

• Student portfolios.

• A formal interview, though for elementary school students, the interview more often consists of a teacher observation or individual or group-administered diagnostic tests.

School admissions officers are there to help you complete your applications in a timely manner. They also want to make sure that the process is a positive experience for you and your child and that there is a

good match between your child and the school.

Try to avoid:

• While admissions officers want to be helpful, don’t call too often, overload them with additional information about your child, or try to impress them with your business or social contacts.

• Don’t jump on the bandwagon of applying to a school just because your child’s peers are applying. Similarly, don’t just apply to a school because it is one of the “top” schools in the area and boasts of its graduates who go to the Ivies. Be realistic about your child’s strengths, interests, and personality. Apply to schools which are a good fit for your child.

• Don’t shy away from disclosing vital information about your child or family—notably about any special academic needs your child has or about your family’s financial need for tuition help. While most private schools cannot afford to meet the academic and financial needs of all students they would like to admit, you won’t increase your child’s chances of acceptance by failing to be upfront about certain information. And, if the school turns your child down for any special issues, it’s likely the school was not a good fit.

• Don’t miss application deadlines. But if you do, some schools have rolling admissions and admit students throughout the school year. 

Preschool (2 yrs. old-Pre K) Elementary (K-5)

Elementary Campus 2650 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park, CA 94025

Elementary School & Main Campus Office Upper Campus 2650 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park, CA 94025

Early Childhood Campus 330 Ravenswood Avenue Menlo Park, 94025

Preschool & Transitional Kindergarten Lower Campus 330 Ravenswood Avenue Menlo Park, 94025

At Trinity, education goes beyond top-notch academics We learn through community, discovery, spirituality, and play. We look at the world from a different perspective to prepare students for success hereand beyond Trinity School is where academic success, openness, individual learning, and real-world problem solving are taught. trinity-mp.org

Shadow Days

After all the open house events, information nights, school tours, and interviews, the best way for kids to evaluate a school is to spend a day on campus. This year schools are being creative to allow for safe shadow experiences. Prospective students are matched up with a current student for an individual tour. If school is in session, they go to classes, share time during breaks and lunch, and get an insider’s tour of the campus, experiencing firsthand what it feels like to be a student at that school.

Things to know:

• Typically, shadow days can be scheduled anytime from October to May.

• Visitors are often required to respect the school dress code.

• Visiting students are usually allowed to shadow a current student they already know, as long as the request is made in advance.

• If prospective students do not know any current students, the school will assign one based on interests in academics, extracurricular activities, etc.

• Shadow days are just for students; no parents allowed. 

Entrance Exam 101

Most private schools require students entering middle and high school to take an entrance exam to gain admission to their institutions.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, the most commonly accepted standardized tests are the Independent School Entrance Examination, or the ISEE, and the High School Placement Test, or HSPT, for Catholic schools. Another often recognized and accepted test is the Secondary School Aptitude Test, or the SSAT.

The ISEE and SSAT tests are to middle and high school what the SAT or ACT is to college. They are administered independently at a set time at a specific location with results sent to designated schools. Often schools schedule these tests on their own campuses, and individual entrance requirements usually specify which test to take. The HSPT, however, does not coordinate national testing days, and test administration is the responsibility of individual schools or dioceses, which determine when to offer the HSPT. Now, all three tests offer at home options. These organizations provide students a secure computerbased testing option to be taken at home when group testing isn’t available.

On these exams, students can expect multiplechoice questions that test verbal, math, and reading comprehension skills and a portion that assesses writing ability (though not part of the HSPT). Policies vary according by test on taking practice tests and repeated test attempts. The test results often determine course placement, so more schools have begun to offer preparation test programs to better equip entering students for the real thing. Schools may have

additional or different requirements for international students.

ISEE

Source: www.iseetest.org

LOWER LEVEL

FOR Candidates for grades five and six.

MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL

FOR Candidates for grades seven and eight (Middle); candidates for grades nine through 12 (Upper).

HSPT

Source: www.ststesting.com

FOR Students in grade eight for placement in ninth grade.

SSAT

Source: www.ssat.org

The SSAT is a multiple-choice test designed for students in grades three through 11 and is administered on three levels: elementary, middle, and upper.

ELEMENTARY LEVEL SSAT

FOR Students in grades three and four.

MIDDLE AND UPPER LEVEL SSAT

Standard Test (group administered on eight Saturdays), Flex Test (group or individual administered on a different date), Regional Flex Test or Open Flex Test (regional consortia administered).

FOR Students in grades 5–7 (Middle) and grades 8–11 (Upper). 

Pruneridge

West

Tips for a Great Essay

Application essays provide ways for private school admissions officers to get to know students beyond their grades, test scores, and basic biographical information. They provide insight into a student’s personality and interests—to help determine if the school is the right fit for your child and vice versa.

Aside from the interview, writing the essay can be one of the most stress-producing steps in the application process. These suggestions from private school organizations can break the task of writing the essay into manageable steps that guide your child to crafting a work that makes him stand out to admissions officers.

READ THE DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY

Don’t write a two-sentence essay if the school asks for one page, but don’t write more than one page. And, don’t turn in a typed essay if the school wants it handwritten.

TELL THE SCHOOL WHAT IT WANTS TO KNOW

Schools often provide an essay prompt, so you need to respond to it. That said, the prompts—such as “recount some activity or event that challenged you in a positive way”—usually allow the applicant lots of leeway to write about a range of topics.

START EARLY

Do not wait until the night before the application is due to begin writing. Brainstorm and work out ideas with teachers, parents, or others early and give yourself time for revisions.

TELL A STORY

While the essay should have correct spelling and grammar and be legible, it doesn’t have to follow the academic essay formula. A good strategy is to tell a story—even filled with dialogue or vivid description— to get your point across.

BE REAL

Don’t write what you think an admissions officer wants to hear—because you really have no idea. Write about what you know and what excites you.

GET CREATIVE

If you are an aspiring writer, for example, ask the school if you can write in verse, instead of the usual narrative.

BE CONCRETE

Stay away from generalizations, such as “singing by myself in front of my school was challenging.” Instead, provide details or an example of how and why you were scared before that solo singing performance and felt triumphant afterwards.

PARENTS, THIS MUST BE YOUR CHILD’S WORK

While, as parents, you can provide feedback and help with editing, let your child do all the writing. If you can’t help but get overly involved, consider asking a neutral third party—a teacher, another relative, or a professional consultant—to help your child edit her essay. 

Interview Preparation

answer typical questions, such as:

• Tell me about yourself: Help your child come up with an answer that doesn’t recite biographical facts but describes his interests and strengths in certain academic areas or extracurricular activities and allows him to talk up his accomplishments.

• Why do you want to come to this school? The school wants to find out if the child understands what makes the school unique and whether he sees it as a match for his own personality, academic strengths, interests, and aspirations. So, hopefully, during visits, or in talking to students and faculty, your child has encountered programs or a learning environment that excites him.

The idea of your child having to interview to gain admission to a private school sounds downright terrifying. But private school experts say you shouldn’t think of the interview as a high-stakes interrogation. Rather, think of the interview as a two-way conversation that helps everyone involved—school staff, parents, and child— determine if the school is the right fit for your child.

The structure of the interview also depends on the school and your child’s age. Typically, the applicant and her family come to the school to look around and talk with an admissions officer or other school staff. The staff might focus on talking with the parents, but with older children and high school students, an admissions officer might speak privately with the child in a formal or more casual situation.

Given that the interview is an important part of the application process, and in determining if this school is the best place to educate your child, here are some things you and your child should prepare for so the interview will go well, according to the National Association of Independent Schools and other private school organizations.

With younger kids, the school staff will mostly talk to the parents, asking them to describe their child and what they hope their child will gain by attending this school.

When students are old enough to be the key subject of interviews, they should be prepared to

• Talk about subjects or teachers you like: Help your child figure out certain coursework that has recently engaged him, such as a certain book in English class or a social studies field trip to see Egyptian mummies at a museum.

Given that the interview is also a chance for you and your child to learn more about the school, help your child prepare to ask questions. Look at the school’s website or think back to visits and help him come up with a list of questions that reflects how the school might nurture his interests. “Will I be able to do dissections in sixth-grade biology?” “Can I audition for school plays in ninth grade?” “What about your study trips overseas?”“What are different ways I can fulfill my community service requirements?” The admissions officers will likely see your child’s curiosity as evidence of his interest in coming to the school.

Parents and students should always be honest, experts say. But that doesn’t mean you should accentuate your child’s weaknesses, provide too much information about family challenges, or bad-mouth your child’s current school, even if this current school environment is mostly negative and the reason he’s trying to change schools.

Instead, accentuate the positive: A child’s weakness or a family’s challenges are things he is working to overcome; or his current school simply isn’t the right fit for his unique needs and interests. 

Make the Most of Your Campus Visit

You’ve looked at the websites, glanced through the glossy brochures, and even heard friends talk glowingly—or not—about the private schools on your short list. Now it’s time to actually set foot on campus. More than anything else, visiting the school—seeing the classrooms, walking around the grounds, and talking to faculty and students—will give you and your child the best sense of whether this is the best environment for your child to learn and thrive.

Because the visit is so crucial to deciding on your child’s school, you should make the most of the opportunity. Private school experts offer these suggestions for what to ask about, look for, and consider before, during, and after the visit.

• Do some pre-visit research. Read up on the school’s history, educational philosophy, and accomplishments. Ask for information about studentteacher ratios, teacher experience, arts classes, sports, and other extracurricular activities, special programs for students needing academic support, and expectations for parental involvement. Decide ahead of time if there are specific classrooms, facilities, or departments that you or your child want to visit.

• If possible, visit on a regular school day, arrange to observe a classroom, and stay to sample a

school lunch.

• General impressions count, but so do the details. Take note of what the grounds and classrooms are like, but also pay attention to specifics: are the bathrooms clean; do staff seemed organized and ready for your visit; what library, science, and technology resources does the school offer?

• In the classrooms or on the playground, notice if the students look engaged and well-behaved, including when they transition from one activity or classroom to another. How do students interact with their teachers? Do the teachers seem cheerful and knowledgeable? How do the teachers manage the classrooms or handle discipline?

• Talk to as many teachers and students as possible. Find out about homework policies and workloads, the social environment, and opportunities to do arts, sports, and other nonacademic activities.

• If the school offers shadow-a-student day for interested students, your child has the opportunity to ask questions of potential schoolmates more freely than if you’re around.

• After you and your child finish the visit, jot down your general impressions before leaving. Try to imagine your child in one of the classrooms, or walking the halls. How does that idea look and feel? Remember gut feelings can be important, too. 

High School is a leading Catholic all girls’ school on the Peninsula that fosters a strong community where students are known and encouraged as individuals and challenged to reach their unique potential. Study after study affirms the all girls’ school advantage; graduates are 6 times more likely to pursue STEM careers, report greater levels of self-confidence and have greater leadership opportunities.

Financial Assistance: Basics You Need to Know

Every private school has its own policies about who receives financial assistance, what types of assistance are awarded, and how much assistance a particular family will receive. In most cases, the financial aid office cannot tell you if your family will qualify for financial aid until you submit an application that allows the school to evaluate your unique situation.

HOW SCHOOLS DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL AID

To determine your eligibility for financial aid, you must submit an application form and financial statements. There is no income limit that automatically makes your family ineligible for financial aid. Financial aid officers take into account your income, assets, and expenses, including educational costs for other children.

Bottom line: If you feel your family cannot afford to pay the full cost, regardless of your income, it’s worth the effort to submit a financial aid application.

WHEN TO APPLY

Every school has its own financial aid schedule, and the deadlines are different for schools with rolling admissions. In general, most financial aid applications are due in January or February. Check with your school of choice for the deadline. You will receive a financial aid decision shortly after your child is admitted to a particular school.

TYPES OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

• Grants are the most common type of financial aid offered by private schools. They are awarded annually to students who demonstrate financial need, and students must re-apply each year. Grant money comes from the school’s budget and does not have to be paid back.

• Merit scholarships awarded by the school are rare and are usually reserved for students who have a special talent that the school is seeking, such as art, music, or academics. Generally, scholarships are based on financial need. They may be awarded once, annually, or as long as the student meets the scholarship criteria.

• Scholarships from outside organizations are also rare, and often awarded by local chapters of national groups like the Rotary Club. Ask the school for a list of organizations that have provided scholarships to their students in the past, and check the list on parents.nais.org. Each scholarship program will have its own eligibility rules, application, and deadlines.

• Tuition loans are personal loans provided by a private lender. You must apply directly to the lender, and your loan amount and interest rate will depend on the lender’s credit requirements. Some use loans to pay for expenses not covered by a grant.

• Tuition Payment Plans allow you to make monthly payments rather than writing one or two large checks each year. Schools offer payment plans through a third-party financial services company, which charges a relatively small fee.

• Sibling discounts are designed to help families with more than one child enrolled in the same school. Many schools are shrinking these discounts, or phasing them out altogether. Even so, it’s worth asking if this situation applies to you.

Most families pay for tuition through a combination of these options. The school’s financial aid officer can help you create a financing plan that fits your family’s needs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and explore all the options available to you.



Reprinted with permission from the National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org.

The Acceptance and Decision

The application is completed, interviews and shadow days all done—all that’s left is waiting for the acceptance letter (or email) and then the big decision. Usually, acceptance (or rejection or waitlist) notifications go out on a Friday in mid-March, and families then have seven days to decide where their child will attend. So how to make the decision?

When you learn about your child’s acceptance, you will also learn about financial assistance awards. If the grant you receive does not meet your needs, or if you are not awarded any financial assistance, contact the school’s financial assistance officer to learn about other options.

The following are tips on choosing a school from the National Association of Independent Schools.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ACCEPTED

• If you’re certain about the school, say yes—but feel free to take the full seven days to sit with the decision to make sure it feels right.

DECIDING ON A SCHOOL

• Discuss the options as a family.

• Make a pro and con list for each possible school.

• Revisit your notes from tours and open houses. Follow your heart. Revisit your wish list to make sure you’ve fulfilled your priorities. Be sure that your child will thrive in the school community you choose.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE

• Consider a second visit to the school; have your child do a shadow day if she hasn’t already.

• Ask to talk to some teachers.

• Talk to graduates or current families of the school—especially any who have come from your child’s current school.

• Encourage your child to talk to other students.

ONCE YOU DECIDE

• Be sure to contact the school you choose by the reply deadline.

• Let all schools where you were admitted know of your final decision so they can contact other families on their wait list.

• Return your signed enrollment contract and tuition deposit.

IF YOU’RE WAITLISTED

• Call the school right away and let admissions officials know that you are very interested. Stay in touch with them throughout the summer. Sometimes children can be accepted off the waitlist just days before school begins.

IF YOU’RE REJECTED

• Consider other schools.

• Ask the school for feedback about what factors made the difference. Try to approach the issue in a nonjudgmental way; tell the admissions staff you want to get information that can help your child do better in the future. 

What Does Accreditation Mean?

Accreditation and professional affiliations and associations indicate a private school has been evaluated by and met or exceeded specific criteria set forth by a designated and agreed-upon accrediting- or affiliation-granting body.

These accreditations, affiliations, and associations can be national, regional, or local, covering religious beliefs, educational philosophies, or special interests and last for a specific number of years, often with prescribed steps in the interim to assure compliance. What they have in common is that they serve as a sort of stamp of approval, signifying to colleges and universities that their members operate schools with meaningful education standards.

“Accrediting is done by a variety of accrediting organizations,” points out the California Department of Education online (www.cde.ca.gov), citing the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or

WASC, as an example of an established organization that accredits both private and public K–12 schools. “WASC accreditation generally ensures that the credits and diploma awarded by the schools it accredits will be accepted by colleges and prospective employers,” says the CDE, which does not accredit schools.

WASC is one of five regional accrediting associations for schools and colleges, and its territory includes schools operating in California.

“School accreditation is a peer-review process that fosters excellence in education and encourages school improvement through discovery, dialogue, compliance, and commitment. Accreditation enables a member school to develop clearly defined goals and objectives based on its mission and philosophy,” says the California Association of Independent Schools (www.caisca.org). 

Fearless, We EXCELLENCE

We Pursue EXCELLENCE

FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory is a Lasallian Vincentian Catholic, college preparatory high school located in the heart of San Francisco’s cultural center. We are dedicated to the intellectual and academic excellence of our students, and we strive to develop the unique talents and passions of each individual. Our devotion is illustrated in our enthusiastic and highly educated teachers, commitment to service and social justice, innovative curriculum and cutting-edge classroom technology. SHC Alumni are accepted into hundreds of colleges across the country, including all of US News & World Report’s Top 10 National Universities.

At SHC, academic excellence is not only measured in the range and quality of our courses, but in our students’ curiosity, drive and desire to learn. We challenge our students to stretch themselves, to experience and learn as much as they can, to honor their passions and develop their talents, to generously share those talents, to become their best selves.

We believe that academic, intellectual, emotional, personal and creative development invigorates the whole student. Our cocurricular programs are essential, not extra, elements to the student experience at SHC. Our students excel on the field, onstage and as leaders in our community, just as they do in the classroom. Our state-ofthe-art facilities allow students to engage in a collaborative learning experience, and our successful Bring Your Own Device program gives students the autonomy to use the tools most relevant to them in a digitally diverse and everchanging world.

Students and their families choose SHC for the strength of our academics, our diverse array of cocurricular opportunities, and for the warmth of our inclusive and nurturing community.

To schedule a tour, contact Director of Admissions Tim Burke ’70 at tburke@shcp.edu or 415.775.6626 ext. 729.

1055 Ellis St. | San Francisco, CA 94109 | 415.775.6626 shcp.edu

Bellarmine College Preparatory

Bellarmine College Preparatory, a Catholic secondary school educating in the Jesuit tradition of the development of the full person, is a vibrant community comprised of students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and friends.

Since its founding in 1851, Bellarmine has been forming young men who will be contemplatives in action: individuals who will be actively engaged in service as a response to God’s love and who will critically and prayerfully reflect upon how best to put their talents at the service of others. The unique Bellarmine experience involves a rigorous academic curriculum, championship co-curricular programs including athletics, speech and debate, and robotics; and transformative spiritual, service, and immersion opportunities. A Bellarmine education assists in developing men who are “for and with others” and who possess a faith that does justice.

Bellarmine endeavors to make its educational program available to all qualified students, regardless of the financial circumstances of his family. Currently, more than one in every four Bellarmine students receives tuition assistance based on financial need.

Students at Bellarmine reflect a wide variety of backgrounds, experiences, and faith traditions. This diversity inspires a loving and nurturing environment where each student's talents, abilities, and desires can reach their highest expression; and where each student has a capacity to be a difference maker and engage in a loving dialogue globally upon graduation with the hope that this will lead to a more just and faith-filled world.

Follow Bellarmine on social media @BellarmineBells and visit www.bcp.org/admissions for more information and updates regarding our Admissions Open House. Go Bells!

Notre Dame Belmont

Notre Dame Belmont is located in the heart of the Peninsula and is the premier choice for an all-girls, faith-based education. Knowing how girls learn best, Notre Dame Belmont is dedicated to educating and empowering girls to become women of vision!

Notre Dame Belmont provides a true sense of community where girls will discover their interests and talents, and have the freedom to be their authentic selves. We are a caring and compassionate community committed to developing responsible young women of active faith, strong intellect, and Christian leadership. Education is not simply about educating a mind, but about forming a human spirit.

Notre Dame Belmont is an independent Catholic college preparatory school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (SNDdeN), dedicated to the educational mission of St. Julie Billiart. The School was founded in 1851 and the first students were enrolled at the Belmont campus in 1923. NDB is located in the heart of Silicon Valley on over 10 acres in Belmont, California, a professional suburban community located between San Francisco and San Jose.

Notre Dame Belmont provides an educational foundation that emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and social awareness. Reflecting the vision of St. Julie Billiart and her pioneer Sisters, NDB continues to be a special place for students to learn, grow, and prepare for a life of commitment and purpose. Although the School’s

entrepreneurial and indefatigable foundress began teaching young women “what they need to know for life” during the French Revolution, her spirit lives on as a timely inspiration today for the young women of Notre Dame Belmont, in the heart of Silicon Valley, where they pursue their dreams of becoming innovative change agents and leaders, with a commitment to social Justice.

As a member of a Tri-School program with Junipero Serra High School and Mercy High School Burlingame, NDB offers students opportunities for a co-educational experience in the areas of academics, performing arts, and student activities. The School is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

We look forward to meeting you!

Challenger School

IN 1960, WHILE TEACHING In a public school, Challenger School founder and CEO Barbara Baker became alarmed that her first grade students had received no academics in kindergarten, wasting the best years for establishing a foundation for learning. Barbara decided to leave the comfort of the public schools and started her own preschool where she could teach phonics to children before they went to public school. “I figured that if they learned phonics in preschool, no one could take that away from them.”

BREATHTAKING RESULTS

On national standardized tests, Challenger K-8 students consistently average well above the 90th percentile. This means that Challenger’s average student outperforms nine out of ten students who take that test.

In Barbara’s first class, there were only six paying students. Two years later the tiny preschool had grown to 100 half-day preschool students with 100 students waiting for admission. Today, Challenger School educates more than 10,000 students annually.

THINKING SKILLS

Challenger School teaches students early on that they are responsible for their own learning and for their successes. Challenger’s emphasis on independent reasoning skills–so rarely practiced in today’s world–results in their students’ extraordinary academic performance.

POISE AND CONFIDENCE

Challenger students regularly speak and perform before their peers, teachers, and parents from preschool on. Challenger graduates often point to these experiences as the basis for success in college and the workplace.

Challenger School offers preschool through eighth grade and operates a total of 27 campuses in five western states. For a location near you, visit ChallengerSchool.com.

Our mission is to prepare children to become selfreliant, productive individuals; to teach them to think, speak, and write with clarity, precision, and independence; to lead them to recognize and value their individuality and unalienable rights; and to inspire them to embrace challenge and find joy and self-worth through achievement.

Ten Bay Area Locations www.challengerschool.com/

Serendipity School

FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL

Serendipity:

n. The gift of discovering valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for Serendipity School: A setting for unexpected and exciting learning experiences that are sparked by discovery, guided by individuality, and supported by community

Serendipity School is a rare and remarkable place: an encouraging, engaging, and empowering learning community where academic and personal discovery is prized, where the path to excellence is an individual adventure. A unique educational institution dedicated to progressive education, active and hands-on learning, differentiated instruction, and teaching to the whole child, Serendipity School is committed to the process and journey of learning. The result is a community of students who grow to be lifelong, joyful, and invested learners.

INDIVIDUALITY

Serendipity School’s rich and multifaceted programs promote each child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic development in positive ways designed to further curiosity and creativity. Our programs encompass each child’s participation, interest, enthusiasm, and ideas. All Serendipity students are encouraged to meet challenges and strive for excellence.

DISCOVERY

Serendipity School believes in providing an educational experience that treats children as individuals and engages students throughout the learning process. Our highly skilled and trained

educators teach to the whole child, and implement a differentiated curriculum that is both diverse and dynamic.

COMMUNITY

Serendipity School supports effort and achievement by empowering students and giving them tools for academic success. Serendipity helps students to grow and learn with confidence and enthusiasm. Serendipity School students are empowered to experiment, assume academic risk, and take an interest in and responsibility for the world around them.

“Serendipity finds the little thing that makes each child unique and expounds upon that. It creates children who are confident, self-aware, and ready to face the world.” Serendipity School Parent

Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School Education

San Mateo and Belmont • CA 650-574-7400 (Preschool) 650-596-9100 (Kindergarten and Elementary) www.serendipityschool.com/

The Harker School

New! Peninsula Shuttle Service

For the convenience of our many families on the Peninsula we have added a bus service to Harker from Portola Valley and Los Altos.

The Harker School | San Jose, CA | K-12 I Preschool | Summer | www.harker.org

Harker is a community of dedicated, passionate learners committed to celebrating a diverse community of students, and fostering an inspiring space for all. Our goal (and greatest joy) is to help all students uncover their unique gifts through our deep and varied offerings and inspiring faculty. With more than 125 years of experience in bringing out the best in children, we are dedicated to continuing that legacy of excellence.

Kindness, respect, honesty, integrity and personal accountability have been in the school’s DNA since its founding. Community service, character development curriculum, and our honor code all encourage, develop and reinforce these important qualities.

Many things make Harker special, however small class sizes and our attention to each child’s journey is especially unique. Beginning in the lower school, and continuing throughout each student’s Harker journey, we carefully evaluate the course placement that best meets a student’s talents and interests to ensure that each is challenged, encouraged, engaged and inspired to be their personal and academic best. A vital part of that process involves the offering of extensive curricular and extracurricular offerings to help students discover and nurture talents they may not otherwise have known they have. We do this through our deep and varied offerings and through our incredible and inspiring faculty, for whom we search nationwide. Many hold advanced degrees, and all are passionate about teaching and focused on individual student success.

Harker is a supportive, safe, fun and nurturing place where parents, faculty, staff, students and alumni form a close-knit community through events, traditions and our common mission. Our students leave Harker uncommonly prepared for college and ready to make a difference in the world.

Educating more than 1,975 students TK-grade 12, Harker is the largest independent school of its kind in California, serving families of preschool, elementary, middle and high school-aged children, with each division on its own San Jose campus.

K-12 College Prep | San Jose, CA | 408.249.2510 www.harker.org

FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES

Action Day Primary Plus

An All-Inclusive Private School Program

Picture your student here: In an environment that promotes growing intellectually, socially, physically, and emotionally in a well-rounded, safe program combining first-rate academics with onsite extracurricular activities. Small class sizes ensure the individualized attention needed for a fast start that will keep your student ahead for a lifetime.

Action Day Primary Plus: Infant Care through Preschool

At Action Day Primary Plus, we tailor our ageappropriate, semi-structured curriculum to enhance unique learning styles. Our goal is to provide an environment that will both encourage maximum development for the children and allow for specific growth and individual freedom. We also balance education with plenty of time for play and self-discovery to put your child on a proven path to a happy and enriching school experience. We strongly believe that positive experiences during the early years lead to much greater success in the future.

Primary Plus Elementary School: Jr. K-4th Grade

At Primary Plus Elementary School, we carefully select teachers who make learning fun, maintain high expectations, and make connections with their students. Classes consist of hands-on-

learning opportunities through our STEAM-powered curriculum. This enriching atmosphere, fostered by our exceptional staff, is the reason Primary Plus students consistently perform above grade level.

West Valley Middle School: 5th-8th Grade

West Valley Middle School is an all-inclusive private middle school, offering students a rich educational experience, with the means by which to excel. By providing our students a balanced education that emphasizes a STEAM-integrated curriculum and a hands-on approach to learning, WVMS prepares its students for that lies ahead. Our school offers a variety of extracurricular activities within our regular program, including Student Council, animation, speech and debate, coding, sports (volleyball, flag football), and more!

Elementary and Middle School Program Highlights:

• Strong academics with small class sizes

• Extended-day program by level

• Onsite enrichment options including dance, performing arts, and year round sports

• Open on all non-academic days, including our

With the latest technology, small class sizes, dedicated teachers, and fulfilling, onsite enrichment opportunities, it’s easy to understand how our students consistently outperform others at grade level.

10 Preschools | 1 Elementary School | 1 Middle School www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Charles Armstrong School

Providing Over 50 Years of Transformational Education!

Our Mission: Charles Armstrong School unlocks the unique potential of students with dyslexia and related learning differences, changing the trajectory of their lives

Our Values:

We are student-centered.

• Our instructional approach embraces neurodiversity.

• We nurture and celebrate individual strengths and talents.

• We cultivate self-confidence and the joy of learning.

We grow together.

• Our highly-trained faculty foster continuous student growth within a supportive environment.

• We educate and actively partner with families.

We honor community.

• Our students’ shared experience cultivates a sense of belonging.

• Our families, faculty, and staff develop meaningful, lasting relationships.

We meet students where they are and provide:

• A rich academic curriculum

• A safe learning environment

• Structured and systematic instructions

• Appropriately paced lessons

• Multi-sensory and mult-model learning methods

• Movement, mindfulness and brain boosts throughout the day

•

And believe in a positive, collaborative partnership with families

• Visit Armstrong: Register on our website to attend a Virtual Information Night or schedule a Virtual Tour.

Armstrong At A Glance:

Number of Students: 240 Student to Teacher Ratio: 4.5 to 1 Students per Classroom: Lower School 12-18; Middle School 17-19 Grade Levels: 2nd - 8th Founded in 1968, with families attending from across the Bay area Accreditations: WASC accreditation and CAIS provisional accreditation Leader in the field of dyslexia education, with a proven and long-standing track record of teaching students with language-based learning differences in ways they learn best.

• Integrated social emotional learning 1405 Solana Drive | Belmont, California 94002 | 650-592-7570 www.charlesarmstrong.org

FEATURED SCHOOL & PRESCHOOL PROFILES

Trinity School

With a firm foundation, we can change the world.

Trinity School is where students live academic success, openness, individual learning, and realworld problem solving every day.

YOUR CHILD: A MOTIVATED, CONFIDENT, COMPASSIONATE LEARNER.

Trinity School is leading education in the Bay Area with a proven pathway for critical thinking and academic success.

PERSONALIZED ATTENTION RESULTS IN PERSONALIZED SUCCESS.

Trinity’s size creates the rare opportunity for classes and educators to meet the needs of students as individuals. Trinity is an embracing environment for every student: it’s a place for the introspective and shy as much as it is a place for the spirited and inquisitive.

TO LEARN ABOUT THE WORLD, WE SAY ENGAGE WITH IT.

actively participate with others through service for positive change.

EXPLORE FAITH THROUGH INQUIRY.

Episcopal values cultivate the mind and spiritual inquiry. Students explore their own beliefs and value the diversity of faiths around them.

PREPARED FOR NOW, READY FOR WHAT'S NEXT

Families and students create their own next steps based on the personal strengths and passions of each student—with the knowledge that Trinity has prepared them for anything.

Students participate in community problem solving. They use human-centered design to 2650 Sand Hill Road | Menlo Park, CA 94025 | 650-854-0288 www.trinity-mp.org

KSS Immersion Preschools

KSS Immersion Preschools – Give Your Child the Gift of Multilingualism

KSS Immersion Preschools specialize in Spanish language immersion programs for preschoolers in the San Francisco Bay Area including Albany, Oakland, San Jose, and Walnut Creek. Children ages two-six (2-6) can enroll in these programs and improve their learning outcomes in a safe and compliant setting.

Language immersion preschool offers lifelong benefits and proven to increase cognitive development and academic readiness. Plus, nurturing instructors not only facilitate children’s emotional and social development, they also provide them with a culturally rich perspective that translates to confidence at school and in life!

At KSS, students thrive under the caring instruction of experienced teachers from Spanish-speaking countries across the globe. Our instructors rely on a combination of play-based and academically-focused methods to teach Math, Science, and Language Arts. Our curriculum is also designed to spark and maintain children’s interest in Spanish through creative activities such as dancing, singing, cooking, art projects, and games.

As student’s progress through their classes, they are well-prepared for kindergarten and empowered to be unique, confident individuals.

The Advantages of Learning a Second Language at an Early Age

Learning a second language provides a wealth of benefits that go well beyond the simple ability to talk to more people. The benefits of a multilingual education affect everything from academic and career success to improved health outcomes and socialization.

Is Younger, Better?

Children who begin language learning as part of their early childhood education stand to make quick gains and achieve real fluency—a lifelong gift that keeps on giving. Whether you’re looking to provide your child the peace of mind of a steady income, a healthier and more resilient brain, or simply the joy of being able to connect with people in other cultures, language learning just might be the key to their future happiness and well-being.

Additional Campus Locations

• Albany – 1331 Portland Ave

• Oakland – 1650 Mountain Blvd

• San Jose – 540 Sands Dr

• Walnut Creek – 2780 Camino Diablo

Give your child the gift of multilingualism by calling 877-442-2555 to apply or schedule a tour. Visit our website at ksspreschool.com

Multiple Locations • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com

Multiple Locations Throughout the Bay Area www.stratfordschools.com

Discover Stratford School

When you embrace social and emotional development, the extraordinary happens.

At Stratford, high expectations yield extraordinary results. We start early with an intentionally balanced curriculum that challenges students and accelerates achievement. Our ever-evolving, STEAMbased (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum ensures students develop the diverse set of problem-solving skills and creative talents they’ll need in today’s world. Our passionate teachers cultivate a nurturing and fun classroom environment, where children feel safe and eager to try new things. Beyond the classroom, we help students discover and define their passions through a variety of extracurricular activities, personal development, and enrichment. This carefully orchestrated approach prepares students to become tomorrow’s creative problem-solvers, imaginative innovators, and confident, insightful leaders. Learn more by visiting www.stratfordschools.com!

The King's Academy

TKA

inspires academic excellence, servant leadership, and enduring relationships.

At TKA, students graduate with a sense of belonging, a sense of purpose, and a sense of significance. With a low teacher:student ratio, students receive individual attention and encouragement to do their best. Our 1:1 technology program and collaborative classroom environment ensures students are responsible digital and global citizens with 21st century literacy skills. Through TKA’s Spiritual Life program and Service Trips, students grow in their faith and make a difference to others. TKA offers a stellar Visual and Performing Arts program known throughout the Bay Area and fields over 50 competitive athletic teams.

Attend one of TKA's Open Houses: Saturday, October 15 & December 3, 11:00 a.m. Please RSVP at www.tka.org/openhouse

Learn how TKA is preparing students for college, life, service and eternity.

* TKA students have built nearly 400 homes in Tecate, Mexico.

Shu Ren International School

Shu Ren International School…Go Beyond the Ordinary

Shu Ren International School derived its name from the Chinese proverb, "十年树木,百年树人

It will take 10 years to grow a tree, but a lifetime to cultivate a person’s potential.”

Shu Ren is committed to delivering an enriching and engaging environment that focuses on three critical components: Inquiry-based learning, multilingual and multicultural education, and development of the whole child, which we believe are essential to navigate an increasingly complex and ever-changing world.

Students are guided by teachers to actively discover their strengths, explore new concepts, develop strong practical and academic skills, and experience their lessons within and outside of the traditional classroom environment. Our highly experienced teachers bring a wealth of knowledge, passion, traditions, and practices that inspire children to take part in their own learning.

Our students are not just high academic achievers, they are active participants in a complex and rich world of international culture and communication; they ask important questions, perform research, and present their findings in Chinese and English.

Shu Ren…The Importance of Cultural Fitness

Shu Ren’s vision is committed to empowering students to become internationally-minded critical thinkers and lifelong learners. Through our engaging, inquiry-based environment students reach their full academic potential and become caring, multilingual, and culturally literate global citizens.

• We believe that integrity and responsibility are the most important qualities of an individual

• We support the development of the whole child, emphasizing physical and emotional health along with academics

• We value knowledge, creativity, independent thinking, and a strong work ethic

• We strive to be open-minded, curious, compassionate, and informed about all cultures in the world

• We encourage our students to work with diverse points of view

• We value family and community, and believe one’s behavior affects others in the world

• We enable our students to reflect on their learning experiences and take actions which will benefit themselves and both local and global communities

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School

Located in Saratoga, Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School is an independent day school for Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old) through 8th grade students.

Saint Andrew’s is a community of learners committed to cultivating student happiness, academic achievement, and character. Our complete, balanced, and inspiring approach ensures that our graduates are exceptionally good people who are exceptionally well-prepared to thrive in high school, college, and life.

We believe school should be the place where children launch an unstoppable love of learning that sticks with them. Masterful educators not only design captivating learning experiences. They ensure each child feels individually known, unconditionally loved, and deeply valued as an essential member of our warm, inclusive community.

Odyssey School

Odyssey is an independent, coeducational day school serving students in grades 6 through 8. Odyssey School is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent School (CAIS). Odyssey offers students a robust and challenging academic program as well as a unique and varied expeditionary learning program. We are small by design - enrollment is limited to about 50 students. Our high staff-to-student ratio allows us to mentor each student and to fully support their growth, academic and personal, as students forge their way through the critical middle school years. Situated on an idyllic, green, 3.5 acre campus in San Mateo, Odyssey’s “Base Camp” provides a variety of learning spaces both indoors and outdoors. The entire school and faculty are essential team members on expeditions that transport students away from Base Camp to various places that Odyssians call "Advanced Base Camp" such as the California Redwoods, the Sierra Mountains, the Channel Islands, and Mt. Fuji in Japan, in order to implement the philosophies and educational objectives of our expeditionary learning program.

Hillbrook School

Hillbrook is an accredited independent school located in Los Gatos, CA - soon to be JK-12th in the Fall of 2023 with the expansion of Hillbrook’s new Upper School in Downtown San Jose. Since our founding in 1935, Hillbrook has provided an extraordinary educational experience, where children develop a true love of learning and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to achieve their highest potential in school and life.

More than 85 years after our founding, we remain a school that is at the leading edge of education. Our innovative program provides the just-right challenge for each student, balancing skill development with integrated project-based learning, and includes dedicated time each week for students to reach beyond and make a difference in the world. We are home to the Scott Center for Social Entrepreneurship, one of the only JK-12 centers dedicated to social impact education in the world, and the Hub, a state-of-the-art makerspace on the Marchmont Campus that serves as our epicenter for design, science, art, and engineering. We are deeply committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and action, knowing that the best schools and strongest academic programs are also intentionally diverse communities. At every step of the way, our school is connected by a close-knit, welcoming, generous community, whose support helps make a campus like ours possible.

On our 14-acre Marchmont campus, every corner is alive with activity: two bridges connect the Lower & Middle School, a creek weaves through campus (you'll often find our science students there!), and towering trees provide a refuge for class discussions outdoors. Beginning in the Fall of 2023, our new Upper School campus brings our high school students to a vibrant urban environment in downtown San Jose, where their learning expands as a connected part of a growing, thriving downtown community.

Hillbrook School is driven by our four Core Values: Be Kind, Be Curious, Take Risks, and Be Your Best. Hillbrook is an extraordinary place to be a student. We hope you will visit soon.

Athena Academy

Athena Academy is a non-profit private school devoted to educating dyslexic and twice exceptional children, grades 1 - 8. Located on a spacious campus in Palo Alto, Athena Academy's individualized education program teaches to our creative, and capable students' strengths while helping them overcome their obstacles.

Our teachers design and bring to life project-based lessons that incorporate the findings of innovative neuroscience and educational research. Social Emotional Learning is an important part of our program and is integrated into the classes throughout the day. Our talented teachers receive in-depth training and work with the students on understanding the way their brains work, teaching our students to use their visual-spatial strengths when learning.

Dyslexic children are capable of great academic success when taught the way they are meant to learn. We focus on bringing our students up to and above their grade level in all core subjects. Our program offers advanced subjects, challenging project-based learning and an individualized approach to create a space where learning becomes joyful and success becomes possible.

Valley Montessori School

Valley Montessori School is the largest notfor-profit, and only triple accredited school in California. Established in Livermore in 1976, it is a nationally recognized, model Montessori school for children 18 months through 8th grade.

Accreditations include: the American Montessori Society (AMS), the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). VMS is a certified California Green Business making it one of only two schools in the Tri-Valley with this distinguished honor.

The six acre hilltop campus boasts an Edible Schoolyard, complete with a vegetable garden, sustainable chicken coop and fruit orchard providing endless practical life opportunities, plus snacks for the classrooms. Montessori education and experiences open the world to children developing engaged, responsible, respectful and empowered citizens with an appreciation that learning is for life.

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, a TK–12 private school, fuels ingenuity and independence from day one as students engage in a globally inspired curriculum spanning the liberal arts and STEM. The BASIS Curriculum raises the standards of student learning to the highest international levels by combining the world’s best education systems. Passionate Subject Expert Teachers lead each discipline and use their expertise to not only bring high-level content to life, but empower students to reach their full potential.

Visit our website at siliconvalley. basisindependent.com to learn more or schedule a tour.

Accepting applications for fall 2023.

1290 Parkmoor Avenue | San Jose, CA 95126 | 408-291-0907 siliconvalley.basisindependent.com

Imagination School

Our mission is to ignite and nurture confidence, curiosity, and creativity. We are a highly engaged, reflective, courageous, and diverse community of student and adult learners. Together, we are committed to becoming our best selves intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically. Our vision is to prepare students for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape. We develop within each member of our community the mindset, toolset, and skillset needed to engage meaningfully and purposefully with the world around us. Together, we are committed to issues of social justice, equity, and sustainability.

Our promise is to empower each student to:

• Know themselves

• Find and exercise their voice

• Seek to understand multiple perspectives

• Take meaningful action

Our learning guides are curators of experiences, coaches who help students observe and reflect, facilitators who develop responsibility and agency, advocates who celebrate and challenge each student, and team players who engage with other guides, students, families, and external partners.

Merryhill School

At Merryhill School, we combine a rigorous, standardsbased curriculum with engaging teachers who challenge students in a warm, nurturing learning community with multiple campuses serving San Jose and Milpitas.

Our mission is to provide an education focused on developing a strong foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. We do this through instruction and project-based lessons that instill a love of learning, stimulate the development of higher-order thinking and cooperative learning, and encourage an appreciation of diversity, arts, and culture.

Please feel free to contact us to schedule a private tour, Monday through Friday. Visit our website to learn more and schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting with you, gaining an understanding of your child’s educational needs, and discussing how we can work together to meet them.

123 Corning Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035 | 855-313-4245 1500 Yosemite Dr., Milpitas, CA 95035 | 855-313-4245

750 N Capitol Ave., Bldg. D & E, San Jose, CA 95133 | 855-963-5482 www.merryhillschool.com

Kehillah

Jewish High School

Kehillah is a high school created to help you get from where you are to where - and who - you want to be. We believe that the best place for your journey to begin is in a learning community that cares for you, values your voice and vision, and invites you to explore, create, and dream about where YOU want to go.

Kehillah is distinguished by an exceptional academic program and a dynamic learning environment designed to foster inquiry, creativity, empathy, and belonging. In fact, Kehillah is the Hebrew word for community, and that value is at the heart of who we are and everything we do.

At Kehillah, students have the opportunity to learn about themselves and the world under the guidance of passionate and seasoned educators in subjects ranging from Mandarin, music theory, and Jewish ethics to robotics, marine biology and psychology. Kehillah students graduate with the knowledge, insight, and experience to create meaningful lives and make the world a more connected, more joyful place.

Mercy High School

Mercy High School, Burlingame is a leading Catholic all girls’ school on the Peninsula that fosters a strong community where students are known and encouraged as individuals and challenged to reach their unique potential.

At Mercy, your daughter will Be Known, Be Challenged, and Be Transformed. Mercy graduates Congresswomen, NASA engineers, Olympians and professional athletes, entrepreneurs, lawyers, health care providers, artists, mothers… The list goes on and on because Mercy students know no boundaries. At Mercy, students find their voice, their passions, their people, and their futures.

Come learn about Mercy’s All Girls Advantage! Study after study affirms that all girls' education provides young women with an advantage in life compared to their peers who attend co-ed schools. All girls’ graduates are 6 times more likely to pursue STEM careers, report greater levels of self-confidence, have greater leadership opportunities, and are more likely to take risks. “We believe a school for girls is better than a school with girls.” —International Coalition of Girls’ School

Academy of Thought and Industry

We are a modern Montessori-inspired school with campuses in Fort Mason and in Pacific Heights, San Francisco, delivering a powerful education for independence, to develop curious, self-motivated adolescents who thrive in school and in life.

Welcome to the future of education! ATI Fort Mason's middle school program and ATI San Francisco's high school program are unique: a deliberately planned and charted curriculum of foundational skills that open a greater and greater number of possible paths. We serve ambitious teens who are looking for a smaller, more personalized learning environment and an alternative to public high school.

FEATURED PRESCHOOLS

Campbell

Action Day | Primary Plus Campbell pgs. 21, 40 1125 West Campbell Avenue Campbell • 408-379-3184 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Los Gatos

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 220 Kensington Way Los Gatos • 408-371-3020 www.stratfordlosgatos.com

Menlo Park

Trinity School pgs. 17, 42 300 Ravenswood Avenue Menlo Park • 650-854-0288 www.trinity-mp.org

Milpitas

Merryhill School pgs 29, 50 123 Corning Avenue Milpitas • 855-313-4245 www.merryhillschool.com

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 341 Great Mall Pkwy Milpitas • 408-262-6200 www.stratfordmilpitas.com

Mountain View

Action Day | Primary Plus Mt.View pgs. 21, 40 333 Eunice Avenue Mountain View • 650-967-3780 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

German International School of Silicon Valley 310 Easy Street Mountain View • 650-254-0748 www.gissv.org/preschool-kindergarten

Palo Alto

Challenger School - Middlefield pgs. 2, 37)

3880 Middlefield Road Palo Alto • 650-213-8245 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/paloalto/middlefield

Ages Served

# of Children at Facility

Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Notes

Notes

Birth - 6 yrs 400 Independent

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

PS - Grade 4 Varies

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

PS-Grade 5 Episcopal 7:1 159

PS - PK All Gender Varies

PS - Grade 8 Varies

PS: $23,400$29,950 K-5 $35,800 FA Available

Education Based Center

Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Center

Center

Birth - 5 yrs 167 Independent

$14,726- $14,909 Center

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Center

3 - 5 yrs Up to 150 children 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

$1,878 - $2,755 FA Available After School Care Avail

$1,125 - $2,440 FA Available Accredited Education Based

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Center Before/After School Care Meals Provided Summer Programs

PS-8 Co-Ed

Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44

870 North California Avenue Palo Alto • 650-493-1151 www.stratfordpaloalto.com

Portola Valley

Woodland School

360 La Cuesta Drive Portola Valley • 650-854-90650 https://woodland-school.org

San Bruno

Highlands Christian Schools 1900 Monterey Drive San Bruno • 650-873-4090 www.school.highlands.us/preschool

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 2322 Crestmoor Drive San Bruno • 650-837-9222 www.stratfordsanbruno.com

San Jose

Action Day | Primary Plus Allen See pgs. 21, 40 5845 Allen Avenue San Jose • 408-629-6020 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Action Day | Primary Plus Amber See pgs. 21, 40 3500 Amber Drive San Jose • 408-248-2464 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Action Day | Primary Plus Lincoln See pgs. 21, 40 2148 Lincoln Avenue San Jose • 408-266-8952 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

PS - Grade 8 Varies

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

PS - 8 Independent

Center

$29,120 - $36,210 FA Available Center

18 mos - 8 yrs Varies Center

PS - Elem Varies

Birth - 6 yrs 342 Independent

2 - 4.5 yrs 60 Independent

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Center

Birth - 5 yrs 242 Independent

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

$1,621 - $2,084 FA Available After School Care Avail

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Action Day | Primary

Moorpark pgs. 21, 40 3030 Moorpark Avenue San Jose • 408-247-6972 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Action Day | Primary Plus Phelan See pgs. 21, 40 801 Hibiscus Lane San Jose • 408-985-5998 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Challenger School - Almaden pgs. 2, 37 19950 McKean Road San Jose • 408-927-5771 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/sanjose/almaden

Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

Birth - 5 yrs 330 Independent

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

Birth - 5 yrs 255 Independent

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

PS-8 Co-Ed Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

FEATURED PRESCHOOLS

Featured Preschools

Challenger School - Berryessa pgs. 2, 37

711 East Gish Road San Jose • 408-998-2860 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/sanjose/berryessa

Challenger School - Harwood pgs. 2, 37

4949 Harwood Road San Jose • 408-723-0111 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/sanjose/harwood

Challenger School - Shawnee pgs. 2, 37 500 Shawnee Lane San Jose • 408-365-9298 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/sanjose/shawnee

Challenger School - Strawberry Park pgs. 2, 37

730 Camina Escuela San Jose • 408-213-0083 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/sanjose/strawberry-park

KSS Immersion Preschools See pgs. 19, 43 540 Sands Dr. San Jose • 877-442-2555 www.ksspreschool.com

Merryhill School pgs 29, 50 750 N Capitol Avenue San Jose • 855-963-5482 www.merryhillschool.com

Shu Ren International School See pgs. 13, 45

540 Sands Dr, Bldg B San Jose • 408-508-6259 www.shurenschool.com

Stratford School Almaden pgs. 23, 44

5200 Dent Avenue San Jose • 408-617-8356 www.stratfordalmaden.com

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 6670 San Anselmo Way San Jose • 408-363-2130 www.stratfordsanjose.com

San Mateo

Serendipity Preschool pgs. 7, 38

3172 Clearview Way San Mateo • 650-574-7400 www.serendipityschool.com/

Ages Served

# of Children at Facility

Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

PS-8 Co-Ed

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Notes

Notes

Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

PS-8 Co-Ed

Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

PS-8 Co-Ed

Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

PS-8 Co-Ed

Non Denominational $4,910 - $22,400 Center

2 yr - 6 Up to 48 children 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

Infant - PK All Gender Varies

PS to G5

Up to 103 children 7:30 am - 6:00pm

PreK to G5 Varies

Non Denominational Half-day and full-day sessions

PS - Elem

Varies

$815 - $1,935 Education Based

Center

$14,726- $14,909 Center

$2,535 Accredited Education Based

Varies Accredited Education Based

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Center Summer Programs Open to the Public

Center

Center

2 - 5 yrs Up to 120 children 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

$2,530 FA Available Center Education Based

Schools

Featured Preschools

Ages Served

# of Children at Facility

Religious Affil (if any) Hours of Care

Monthly Tuition Accredited Facility? Notes

Santa Clara

Action Day | Primary Plus Pruneridge pgs. 21, 40

2001 Pruneridge Avenue Santa Clara • 408-244-2909 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Stratford School Pomeroy pgs. 23, 44 890 Pomeroy Avenue Santa Clara • 408-244-4073 www.stratfordsantaclarapomeroy.com

Stratford School Winchester pgs. 23, 44 400 N. Winchester Boulevard Santa Clara • 408-244-2121 www.stratfordsantaclarawinchester.com

Saratoga

Action Day | Primary Plus El Quito pgs. 21, 40 18720 Bucknall Road Saratoga • 408-370-0357 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Action Day Primary Plus University pgs. 21, 40 13560 Saratoga-Sunnyvale Road Saratoga • 408-867-4515 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Challenger School - Saratoga pgs. 2, 37 18811 Cox Avenue Saratoga • 408-378-0444 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ saratoga

Sunnyvale

Challenger School - Sunnyvale pgs. 2, 37 1185 Hollenbeck Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-245-7170 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ sunnyvale

Stratford School Washington Park pgs. 23, 44 820 West McKinley Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-737-1500 www.stratfordsunnyvalewashpark.com

Stratford School De Anza Park pgs. 23, 44 1196 Lime Drive Sunnyvale • 408-732-4424 www.stratfordsunnyvaledeanza.com

18 mos - 5 yrs 68 Independent

PS - Elem Varies

PS - Grade 2 Varies

$1,621 - $2,084

FA Available After School Care Avail

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Notes

Birth - 6 yrs 361 Independent

$1,621 - $2,393 FA Available After School Care Avail

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Center

2 - 5 yrs 44 Independent

$1,621 - $2,084

FA Available After School Care Avail

PS-8 All Gender $3,740 - $18,850

Center

Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

PS-8 All Gender $3,740 - $18,850

PS - Elem Varies

PS - Elem Varies

Varies by age Accredited Education Based

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Education Based Center Diapers Accepted Summer Programs

Center

Varies by age Accredited Education Based Center

Private

Belmont

Charles Armstrong School pgs. 5, 41 1405 Solana Drive Belmont • 650-592-7570 www.charlesarmstrong.org

Enrollment Affiliation / Notes Languages Tuition Range Tuition Assistance Accreditation/ Associations

2-8 All Gender 14:2.5 240

Non Denominational Learning Difference: Dyslexia

Mercy High School pgs. 27, 51 2750 Adeline Drive Burlingame • 650-343-3631 www.mercyhsb.com

Hillbrook School pgs. 47 300 Marchmont Drive Los Gatos • 408-356-6116 www.hillbrook.org

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 220 Kensington Way Los Gatos • 408-371-3020 www.stratfordlosgatos.com

9-12 Girls Only 12:1 440 $28,550

K-5 All Gender 12:1 135

Catholic English, Spanish, French, American Sign Language, Mandarin

Non Denominational English, Spanish and Mandarin

9-12 Girls Only 10:1 400

Catholic French, Spanish, American Sign Language

Includes lunch FA Available WASC

$31,000 FA Available WASC

Non Sectarian Spanish, Mandarin

$25,925 FA Available WASC, Mercy Education

Non Religious English, Spanish

FA Available CAIS, NAIS

Menlo Park

Trinity School pgs. 17, 42

2650 Sand Hill Road Menlo Park • 650-854-0288 www.trinity-mp.org

Milpitas

Merryhill School pgs. 29, 50

1500 Yosemite Drive Milpitas • 855-313-4245 www.merryhillschool.com

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44

341 Great Mall Pkwy Milpitas • 408-262-6200 www.stratfordmilpitas.com

Stratford School Corning pgs. 23, 44 25 Corning Avenue Milpitas • 408-418-9105 www.stratfordmilpitascorning.com

Stratford School Beresford Square pgs. 23, 44 125 N Milpitas Boulevard Milpitas • 408-668-2953 www.stratfordschools.com

Morgan Hill

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 410 Llagas Road Morgan Hill • 408-776-8801 www.stratfordmorganhill.com

Mountain View

German International School of Silicon Valley

310 Easy Street Mountain View • 650-254-0748 www.gissv.org

Palo Alto

Athena Academy pgs. 25, 48

525 San Antonio Avenue Palo Alto • 650-534-4560 www.athenaacademy.org/

Challenger School - Middlefield pgs. 2, 37

3880 Middlefield Road Palo Alto • 650-213-8245 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ palo-alto/middlefield

Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

PS2-Grade 5 All Gender 7:1 159

K - Grade 8 All Gender 23:1 525

PS - Grade 8

All Gender PS 12:1 K 15:1 ES-MS 22:1 Varies

K - Elem All Gender K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

PS - Grade 2 All Gender PS 12:1 K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

Episcopal Spanish

PS: $23,400 - $29,950 K-5 $35,800 FA Available

NAEYC, NAES, CAIS, POCIS, WASC, NAIS, NAREA

Independent Spanish $14,726$14,909 WASC

Non Religious English, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PS - Elem All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

Non Religious English, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PS-12 All Gender 10:1-20:1 450

Non Religious English, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

1-8 All Gender 8:1 60

PS-8 All Gender

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Independent German, Spanish, French

$23,000$29,700 FA Available

DAS, WASC, CAIS, WDA

Independent, Learning Difference: Dyslexia

$43,700 FA Available WASC, NAIS

Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

FEATURED DAY

Imagination Lab School pgs. 29, 49

4050 Middlefield Road Palo Alto • 650-460-8940 www.imagination-school.org

Kehillah Jewish High School pgs. 31, 50

3900 Fabian Way Palo Alto • 650-213-9600 www.kehillah.org

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44

870 North California Avenue Palo Alto • 650-493-1151 www.stratfordpaloalto.com

Portola Valley

Woodland School

360 La Cuesta Drive Portola Valley • 650-854-90650 https://woodland-school.org

San Bruno

Highlands Christian Schools 1900 Monterey Drive San Bruno • 650-873-4090 www.school.highlands.us/

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 2322 Crestmoor Drive San Bruno • 650-837-9222 www.stratfordsanbruno.com

San Carlos

Arbor Bay School 1017 Cedar Street San Carlos • 650-244-1519 www.arborbayschool.org

San Francisco

Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory pgs. 32-33, 34 1055 Ellis Street San Francisco • 415-772-6626 www.shcp.edu

Stratford School DeMontfort pgs. 23, 44 301 DeMontfort Avenue San Francisco • 415-333-3134 www.stratfordsfdemontfort.com

Stratford School 14th Avenue pgs. 23, 44 645 14th Avenue San Francisco • 415-742-4254 www.stratfordsf14.com

K-8 All Gender 8:1 45

9-12 All Gender 6:1 210

PS - Grade 8 All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

Non Sectarian Mandarin $4,500$30,000 FA Available

Jewish Spanish, Hebrew, Latin, French, Mandarin

Non Religious English, Spanish

$55,530 FA Available WASC, CAIS

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PS - 8 All Gender 9:1 300

Independent Spanish $29,120$36,210 FA Available

18 months - 8 All Gender 24:1

PS - Elem All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

Non Denominational Spanish Mandarin varies by grade level (see website)

CAIS, WASC

ACSI, WASC

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

K-8 Co-Ed 3:1 to 7:1 40

9-12 All Gender 12:1 1,320

K - Grade 5 All Gender K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

PS-6 All Gender 12:1(PS) 15:1(K-6)

Independent $43,560

Catholic English Spanish French Japanese Mandarin ASL

Non Religious English, Spanish

$23,250 $5 million in FA - over 330 students received

WASC, WCEA

Non Religious English, Mandarin, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Varies by Program

WASC, CPSTEME

Stratford Middle School pgs. 23, 44 75 St. Francis Street San Francisco • 415-715-8648 www.stratfordsfms.com

Stratford School Parkside pgs. 23, 44 2425 19th Avenue San Francisco • 415-564-6250 www.stratfordsfparkside.com

San Jose

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Upper Campus pgs. 27, 49 1290 Parkmoor Avenue San Jose • 408-291-0907 siliconvalley.basisindependent.com

Bellarmine College Preparatory pgs. 9, 35 960 W Hedding Street San Jose • 408-294-9224 www.bcp.org

Challenger School - Almaden pgs. 2, 37 19950 McKean Road San Jose • 408-927-5771 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ san-jose/almaden

Challenger School - Berryessa pgs. 2, 37 711 East Gish Road San Jose • 408-998-2860 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ san-jose/berryessa

Challenger School - Harwood pgs. 2, 37 4949 Harwood Road San Jose • 408-723-0111 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ san-jose/harwood

Challenger School - Shawnee pgs. 2, 37 500 Shawnee Lane San Jose • 408-365-9298 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ san-jose/shawnee

Challenger School - Strawberry Park pgs. 2, 37 730 Camina Escuela San Jose • 408-213-0083 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ san-jose/strawberry-park

The Harker School pgs. 3, 39 500 Saratoga Avenue San Jose • 408-249-2510 www.harker.org

Merryhill School pgs 29, 50 750 N Capitol Avenue San Jose • 855-963-5482 www.merryhillschool.com

Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

6-8 All Gender 15:1

PS-PK All Gender 12:1(PS) 15:1(K)

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by Program WASC, CPSTEME

Non Religious English, Mandarin, Spanish

6-12 All Gender 8:1 800

9-12 Boys Only 12:1 1,660

Independent Mandarin, Latin, French, Spanish

Varies by Program WASC, CPSTEME

Catholic Spanish, French, Mandarin, Latin, ASL

$33,700 for Grades 6-12 Cognia

$24,890 FA Available WASC/WCEA

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

TK-12 All Gender 9:1 2,045

Infant - G5 All Gender 12:1 290

Independent $39,225$56,650 CAIS, NAIS WASC

Independent Spanish $14,726$14,909 WASC

Primary Plus pgs. 21, 40

3500 Amber Drive San Jose • 408-248-2464 www.actiondayprimaryplus.com

Shu Ren International School - San Jose

Campus pgs. 13, 45 540 Sands Drive, Bldg B San Jose • 408-508-6259 www.shurenschool.com

FEATURED DAY SCHOOLS Private Schools

Stratford Preparatory School pgs. 23, 44 3800 Blackford Avenue San Jose • 669-256-8793 www.stratfordschools.com

Stratford Middle School pgs. 23, 44 1718 Andover Lane San Jose • 408-626-0001 www.stratfordsanjosems.com

Stratford School Almaden pgs. 23, 44 5200 Dent Avenue San Jose • 408-617-8356 www.stratfordalmaden.com

Stratford School pgs. 23, 44 6670 San Anselmo Way San Jose • 408-363-2130 www.stratfordsanjose.com

West Valley Middle School pgs. 21, 40 801 Hibiscus Lane San Jose • 408-985-2138 www.wvmiddleschool.com/

San Mateo

Episcopal Day School 16 Baldwin Avenue San Mateo • 650-274-0700 www.episcopaldaysanmateo.org

Odyssey School pgs. 25, 46 201 Polhemus Road San Mateo • 650-548-1500 www.odyssey-school.org/

Santa Clara

Stratford School Pomeroy pgs. 23, 44 890 Pomeroy Avenue Santa Clara • 408-244-4073 www.stratfordsantaclarapomeroy.com

K-4 All Gender 15:1 250

PK-G5

All Gender PK2 6:1 PK3, K4 8:1 K-5: 11:1

Grades 5-12 All Gender 22:1 Varies

5-8 All Gender 22:1 Varies

PK-5 All Gender PS 12:1 K 15:1 Varies

PS - Elem All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

5-8 All Gender 15:1 140

Independent $18,530 FA Available

Nondenominational Mandarin and English Immersion, Spanish Immersion

Non Religious English, Mandarin, Spanish

PK $25,350 K $26,950 G1-G5 $27,450 FA Available

IB World School WASC, NAIS

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PK-8 All Gender 6:1 305

6-8 All Gender 5:1 50

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PS - Elem

All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

Independent $18,830 FA Available

Spanish & Mandarin $27,430$40,830 FA Available

Non Denominational Japanese $40,690 FA Available CAIS Accredited

Non Religious English, Spanish Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Stratford School Winchester pgs. 23, 44 400 N. Winchester Boulevard Santa Clara • 408-244-2121 www.stratfordsantaclarawinchester.com

Saratoga

Challenger School - Saratoga pgs. 2, 37 18811 Cox Avenue Saratoga • 408-378-0444 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ saratoga

Saint Andrew’s Episcopal School pgs. 23, 46 13601 Saratoga Avenue Saratoga • 408-867-3785 www.st-andrews.org/

Sunnyvale

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley Lower Campus pgs. 27, 49 1500 Partridge Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-291-0907 siliconvalley.basisindependent.com

Challenger School - Sunnyvale pgs. 2, 37 1185 Hollenbeck Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-245-7170 www.challengerschool.com/campus/california/ sunnyvale

Stratford School Washington Park pgs. 23, 44

820 West McKinley Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-737-1500 www.stratfordsunnyvalewashpark.com

Stratford School De Anza Park pgs. 23, 44 1196 Lime Drive Sunnyvale • 408-732-4424 www.stratfordsunnyvaledeanza.com

Stratford Middle School pgs. 23, 44

1500 Partridge Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-247-4400 www.stratfordsunnyvaleraynorms.com

The King’s Academy pgs. 18, 44

562 N. Britton Avenue Sunnyvale • 408-481-9900 www.tka.org

More Schools at www.ParentsPress.com

PS - Grade 2 All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Varies

Non Religious English, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PK-8 All Gender 18:1 403

Independent, Episcopal $25,870$32,660 Flexible Tuition Program

TK-5 All Gender 8:1 480

Independent Mandarin, Latin $29,300 for TK-Grade 4 $33,700 for Grade 5

PS-8 All Gender Non Denominational $3,740$18,850

PS - Elem All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

PS - Elem All Gender PS 12:1, K 15:1 Elem 22:1 Varies

6-8 All Gender 22:1 Varies

6-12 All Gender 12:1 953

Non Religious English, Spanish

CAIS, NAEYC, NAIS, NAES

Cognia

Non Religious English, Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Non Denominational Spanish

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

Non Denominational Christ-centered College Preparatory Spanish, French, Mandarin

Varies by age WASC, CSSES

$21,475$23,930 18% of Families

ACSI, WASC

Boarding Schools

Army and Navy Academy 2605 Carlsbad Boulevard Carlsbad, CA • 888-762-2338 www.armyandnavyacademy.org

6-12

All Gender 12:1 61 / 469

8-12 All Gender 470 / 80

5100 Figueroa Mtn. Road Los Olivos, CA • 805-688-5114 www.midland-school.org/ Independent Place-based College Prep

All Gender 5:1 85 / 0

Ojai Valley School

11-12 All Gender 45 / 15 $32,000 FA Available

WASC, CAIS

WASC, CAIS

WASC, CAIS

A Key to Private School Accreditations, Affiliations, and Associations

Here is a list of some of the accrediting, affiliation, and association bodies that schools list in our Regional Guide to Private Schools.

AAIE — Association for the Advancement of International Education, www.aaie.org

ACSI — Association of Christian Schools International, www.acsi.org

AEFE — Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger, www.aefe.fr

AISAP — Association of Independent School Admission Professionsals, www.aisap.org

AMI — American Montessori Internationale, www.montessori-ami.org

AMS — American Montessori Society, www.amshq.org

Ashoka Changemaker School — Ashoka, www.ashoka.org

AWSNA — Association of Waldorf Schools of North America, www.whywaldorfworks.org

BAMA — Bay Area Montessori Association, www.bayareamontessoriassociation.com

CAIS — California Association of Independent Schools, www.caisca.org

CASE — Council for Advancement and Support of Education, www.case.org

CIS — Communities in Schools, www.communitiesinschools.org

Cognia — Cognia Performance Standards, www.cognia.org

CPSTEME — Carnegie Science Seal of Excellence for STEM, www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/

CQEL — California Quality Early Learning, www.caqualityearlylearning.org

ELEA — Evangelical Lutheran Education Association, www.elcaschools.org

Green Ribbon School — US Department of Education, www2.eg.gov

IB, IBO — International Baccalaureate, www.ibo.org

IB-PYP— International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, www.ibo.org

IMC — The International Montessori Council, www.montessori.org

ISBOA — California Independent Schools Business Officer Association, www.isboa.org

ISSFBA — Independent Schools of the San Francisco Bay Area, www.issfba.org

NAEYC — National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org

NAIS — National Association of Independent Schools, www.nais.org

NAREA — North American Reggio Emilia Alliance, www.reggioalliance.org

NCAA Approved — National College Athletic Association, www.ncaa.org

NCEA — National Catholic Educational Association, www.ncea.org

NCPSA — National Council for Private School Accreditation, www.ncpsa.org

NIPSA — National Independent Private Schools Association, www.nipsa.org

NLSA — National Lutheran School Accreditation, www.luthed.org

NPC National Paideia Center, www.paideia.org

PACE — Professional Association for Childhood Education, www.pacenet.org

PASCH — Schulen: Partner der Zukunft, www.pash-net.de

PEN — Progressive Education Network, www.progressiveeducationnetwork.org

POCIS — People of Color in Independent Schools of Northern California, www.nocapocis.org

SBSA — Small Boarding Schools Association, www.sbsaonline.org

SSATB — Enrollment Management Association, www.admission.org

TABS — The Association of Boarding Schools, www.tabs.org

WASC — Western Association of Schools and Colleges, www.wascweb.org

WBSA — Western Boarding Schools Association, www.westernboardingschools.org

WCEA — Western Catholic Education Association, www.westwcea.org

Discover yourself at Harker.

Meet Dawson, student leader, engineer, volunteer. Dawson also loves robotics, cooking and magic. While he’s on his own with the last two, we’ve got him covered for robotics, as well as hundreds of other activities and classes – and inspiring teachers – to spark his passions. Our students and our teachers bring their unique talents and zest for life together to create a vibrant community that encourages everyone to be the best they can be, each and every day.

Whether you champion environmental causes, enjoy dancing, programming, sculpting, water polo or the Beat Generation, you can discover yourself at Harker, and have a great time doing it. Check us out!

Student Leader. Engineer. Volunteer.

Dawson, Upper School Student The