M a brochure 2015

Menlo-Atherton High School

Inside Menlo-Atherton Introduction..........................................................................................................3 Our School ..........................................................................................................3 Our Community ................................................................................................. 3 Course Offerings.................................................................................................. 3 Introduction..........................................................................................................3 Our School .......................................................................................................... 3 Our Community ................................................................................................. 3 Course Offerings.................................................................................................. 3 Introduction..........................................................................................................3 Our School .......................................................................................................... 3 Our Community ................................................................................................. 3 Course Offerings.................................................................................................. 3 Introduction..........................................................................................................3 Our School .......................................................................................................... 3 Our Community ................................................................................................. 3 Course Offerings.................................................................................................. 3 Introduction..........................................................................................................3 Our School .......................................................................................................... 3 Our Community ................................................................................................. 3 Course Offerings.................................................................................................. 3

Menlo-Atherton High School 555 Middlefield Rd. Atherton, Ca. 94027 www.mabears.org

Text and Photography compiled by Michele Breen Betsy Snow

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Our School Established in 1951, Menlo-Atherton High School has long had a national reputation for academic excellence. Our comprehensive curriculum includes college-preparatory education, athletics, art, music and drama. · M-A has been named one of the top secondary schools in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education as part of its national school recognition program. · Newsweek has consistently ranked M-A as one of the top public high schools in the United States. · Maximum 6 year accreditation granted by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2013. · Menlo-Atherton is the only school in San Mateo County to be named a California Distinguished School in 2013 (also in 1986 and 2007).

Our Community There is deep support for public education in the community, which is reflected in the commitment of school volunteers, the financial contributions of parents and service clubs, and the passage of four recent construction bonds (2001, 2004, 2007 and 2013). Menlo-Atherton meets the challenges of students and its dynamic community through high expectations, quality teachers and staff, and an array of valuable support programs.

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Mission Statement Menlo-Atherton High School is committed to fostering academically prepared and socially responsible students.

Vision Statement Our students will be academically prepared as effective communicators and critical thinkers. Our students will also be independent and socially responsible individuals.

Our staff will challenge students by setting high academic standards, helping all students meet those standards, creating equity for all to access the curriculum, and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.

Our students’ families will help create a community of support by being actively involved in students’ progress and the M-A community.

Our Mission Our Mission and Vision statements guide our planning and instruction. Our learning environment challenges students to become academically and technologically prepared, develop communication and critical thinking skills, and act as socially responsible individuals.

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C A R E E R T E C H N I C A L E D U C AT I O N Career Technical Education (CTE) consists of specialized career pathways offered at M-A, strengthening the workforce by preparing students for entry-level jobs in California’s fifteen industry sectors. CTE courses expose students to career choices and focus on knowledge and skill development based on new technology in these industries. Projects are hands-on, performed in a la or shop setting, and integrate academic and career technical content.

INDUSTRIAL ARTS The Industrial Arts Department offers fun, hands-on learning experiences for students. Project-based assignments help students explore and develop problem solving skills and technical knowledge in woodworking, engineering, and architectural design.

W o o d I : Introductory experiences

in machine tool woodworking. Learn to work safely and effectively with machinery, tools and materials.

W o o d I I & I I I : Continue to refine and develop machine tool woodworking skills. Focus on increasingly complex planning, design and fabrication processes.

D r a f t i n g I : Recommended for stu-

dents interested in pursuing engineering and architecture. Drafting I offers introductory experiences in common mechanical drawing techniques including sketching and instrument drawing of machine parts and residential floor plans.

(Offered in alternate school years.)

Engineering Technology I:

Introduces students to the field of engineering and prepares them for continuing education in engineering. Topics include: a survey of the engineering profession, an overview of manufacturing processes, materials and communications related to engineering as well as

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FAMILY & development of an understanding of the engineering design process. (Offered in alternate school years.)

Architectural Design I: Introduces students to architectural design and prepares them for continuing education and careers in the field of architecture. Topics include: graphic communications skills and design concepts related to the development of single-family residences and the built environment. (Offered in alternate school years.)

CONSUMER SCIENCE Using the latest technology for project-based coursework, lessons integrate an academic core with career technical knowledge and skills. Students are prepared for higher education and explore careers in the following California industry sectors:

• Hospitality, tourism & recreation • Fashion & Interior design • Education, child development, & family services

L i v i n g S k i l l s : Students gain personal management skills, study relationship development, family life education, and health. Students apply design and critical thinking to the solution of everyday challenges like money management, consumer decision making, space planning, interior design, and apparel design.

Foods & Nutrition I:

Students learn the fundamentals of nutrition, food handling, and food preparation by completing food labs in fully equipped kitchen units.

Foods & Nutrition II:

For students who have completed foods & Nutrition I or who have sufficient prior experience, this capstone course will give students actual workplace and industry level knowledge and skills.

STEM:

S C I E N C E T E C H N O L O G Y E N G I N E E R I N G M AT H E M AT I C S

Menlo-Atherton High School is committed to offering a breadth of STEM classes. Our STEM classes focus on logical reasoning, collaboration and investigation. Our classes develop students’ strong cognitive capacity as well as developing their critical and creative thinking skills. All of these attributes are required in our ever-changing global and technologically driven economy. Menlo-Atherton High School is committed to preparing our students for post-secondary STEM study and the needs of the 21st-century workplace.

The Importance of STEM Education: “In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what is considered acceptable in the past.” (National Science Foundation)

SCIENCE

TECHNOLOGY

ENGINEERING

M AT H

Biology Chemistry Physics Astronomy Human Biology AP Biology AP Chemistry AP Physics AP Environmental Science

Audio Production Computer Animation Video Production TV Communication & Production AP Computer Science

Architectural Design Engineering Technology Robotics

Geometry Algebra Statistics Pre-Calculus AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics

“…Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today – especially in science, technology, engineering and math.”

- President Barack Obama, September 16, 2010

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VISUAL ARTS THE ARTS IN EDUCATION A comprehensive high school seeks to address the needs of the whole student with the arts as a focal point of that wholeness. Poetry, architecture, painting, sculpture, music and theater call upon all spheres of student engagement and seek to create meaningful disciplines for self-expression that reflect and incorporate timely and timeless values.

THE BENEFITS OF THE ARTS

As the challenges of the 21st century loom before us, we realize the need for creative, adaptive thinkers. The arts expand our perspectives and provide the balance needed to foster creative growth by: • Providing a learning atmosphere different from that of a traditional classroom • Connecting students with school who may otherwise not be engaged or present • Building self-confidence through genuine self-expression Menlo-Atherton High School, as well as the UC a nd CSU colleges, recognize the need for the Arts and require Fine Arts credits.

The Elements of Art and the Principles of Design are the focus of the visual art classes, as established by the California Visual

CERAMICS I & II

Make clay come alive with ceramic design and construction. Students create beautiful and functional pieces using hand-building and wheel-thrown techniques; cultural and artistic traditions inspire original art.

D R AW I N G / PA I N T I N G I & I I

Let your imagination explore a variety of media and methods of artistic expression. Emphasis is placed on 2-dimensional art through a wide variety of drawing, and painting techniques, while developing the students’ technical and creative skills.

D I G I TA L P H O T O G R A P H Y I

Frame your world with digital photography and digital camera operations. Students cover composition, exposure and the fundamentals of traditional photographic concepts as well as lighting and digital workflow.

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AP ART STUDIO

AP Art Studio is a college preparatory course for highly motivated advanced art students who are interested in developing their individual artistic styles. Students developing a portfolio may submit to the College Board’s AP Program for possible college credit. Students will use individual choice of media and subject matter, centered on the student’s specific interests and goals.

A P A R T H I S T O RY

The Advanced Placement History of Art course is designed to introduce students to an understanding of the purpose and meaning of art and architecture throughout history and in our daily lives. Beginning with the ancient world and continuing into the twentieth century, students examine the political, economic and social forces that produce art. Students who enjoy history, literature and/or art are encouraged to enroll.

AT H L E T I C S Menlo-Atherton boasts a premier athletic program; for six of the past seven years, M-A has won the Peninsula Athletic League’s Commissioner’s Cup. With dedicated student-athletes and coaches, M-A sees the long-term value of student-athletes and appreciates how a successful athletic program can foster pride and enthusiasm in a school community. Most importantly, the M-A athletics program is fortunate enough to have tremendous support from parents, coaches, boosters, staff, and students who work together to make the program one of the most successful in the area.

M-A athletics offers the following sports by season: FA L L :

Cross-Country (B/G) Football (B) Golf (G) Tennis (G) Volleyball (G) Water Polo (B/G)

WINTER:

Basketball (B/G) Soccer (B/G) Wrestling (B/G)

SPRING:

Badminton (B/G) Baseball (B/G) Golf (B) Lacrosse (B/G) Softball (G) Swimming (B/G) Tennis (B) Track and Field (B/G).

A l l - Ye a r : Cheer (B/G) Dance (B/G)

Students must be on track for graduation and maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible.

Contact Athletic Directors: Steve Kryger skryger@seq.org and Paul Snow psnow@seq.org

2012-2013 Championship Athletics – GO BEARS! Over 940 athletes participating on 50 athletic teams

Menlo-Atherton Athletics CCS Champion Volleyball

presents the all sports pass CCS Finalist

Support M-A Athletics by purchasing a 2013-2014 SportsPolo Pass. This pass will grant access for your immediate BoysAll Water family to all M-A home contests for the 2013-2014 school year (excluding playoffs & tournaments).

This is limited to two adults and two children under 18 in your immediate family.

PA L C h a m p i o n s

Ticketed Sports: Football & Basketball

Girls Tennis, Boys Tennis, Boys Varsity Water Polo Boys FS Basketball, Boys JV Swimming, Boys FS Track Family Name:Volleyball, _______________________ Sport(s) student participates in at M-A Girls Varsity Girls Varsity and JV Water Polo, Girls Varsity and________________ JV Cross Country, Girls Varsity and JV Swimming Immediate Family names 1)_____________2)____________ 3)_____________ 4)________________

PAL Meet Champions Please return this form along with a check Girls Varsity Track Annual Membership $150 payable to “M-A Athletics” to: Girls Varsity and JV Swimming, Boys JV Swimming

Additional family member $25 Attn: Paul Snow Name(s): __________________, __________________ Menlo-Atherton High School SCVAL De Anza Division and League Champions 555 Middlefield Rd. Boys Varsity Lacrosse Additional donation: ________________________ Atherton, CA 94027 Total Enclosed: $___________ PAL Commissioner’s Cup Champions

2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

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Our School Established in 1951, Menlo-Atherton High School has long had a national reputation for academic excellence. Our comprehensive curriculum includes college-preparatory education, athletics, art, music and drama. · M-A has been named one of the top secondary schools in the nation by the U.S. Department of Education as part of its national school recognition program. · Newsweek has consistently ranked M-A as one of the top public high schools in the United States. · Maximum 6 year accreditation granted by Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) in 2013. · Menlo-Atherton is the only school in San Mateo County to be named a California Distinguished School in 2013 (also in 1986 and 2007).

Our Community There is deep support for public education in the community, which is reflected in the commitment of school volunteers, the financial contributions of parents and service clubs, and the passage of four recent construction bonds (2001, 2004, 2007 and 2013). Menlo-Atherton meets the challenges of students and its dynamic community through high expectations, quality teachers and staff, and an array of valuable support programs.

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Mission Statement Menlo-Atherton High School is committed to fostering academically prepared and socially responsible students.

Vision Statement Our students will be academically prepared as effective communicators and critical thinkers. Our students will also be independent and socially responsible individuals.

Our staff will challenge students by setting high academic standards, helping all students meet those standards, creating equity for all to access the curriculum, and ensuring a safe and positive learning environment.

Our students’ families will help create a community of support by being actively involved in students’ progress and the M-A community.

Our Mission Our Mission and Vision statements guide our planning and instruction. Our learning environment challenges students to become academically and technologically prepared, develop communication and critical thinking skills, and act as socially responsible individuals.

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Our Course Offerings Menlo-Atherton High School offers its students a broad array of classes that meet the highest academic standards. Classroom instruction is based on the framework of the California State Standards, and teachers align curriculum to the standards to provide strong and appropriate academic and career technical programs. Classes meet the University of California and California State University entrance requirements in addition to state and district graduation requirements.

Our Advanced Placement courses

· Biology · Environmental Science · Physics · Chemistry · Calculus AB/BC · Computer Science · Statistics · English Language and Composition · English Literature and Composition · French Language · Latin Language · Spanish Language and Culture · Art Studio · Art History · U.S. History · European History

In 2013, 1255 AP tests were taken by 528 students with 85% scoring a passing grade of 3 or higher and 33% scoring a top grade of 5.

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Our Faculty and Staff Nearly half of our 120-person certificated staff hold master’s and doctorate degrees.

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www.mabears.org

555 Middlefield Rd. Atherton, Ca. 94027

650.322.5311