Back to directory

Menlo School

“Inspiring lives of meaning, impact, and joy”

AKA: MenloAtherton (Peninsula)Independent

Students
~620
Ratio
8:1
Tuition
$68k

Base tuition as published for 2026–27.

Admissions

Applications open
Late August
Application due
January 5, 2027
Decisions released
Mid-to-late March
admissions@menloschool.org
Visit admissions site

What makes this school special

  • A secular, co-ed independent school in Atherton, founded in 1915, with about 619 students in the Upper School (grades 9–12)
  • A standout applied-science program: the Whitaker Lab and its Applied Science Research course run cell culture, molecular biology, and protein biochemistry, ending in an independent research project
  • M-Term, a month-long experiential-learning block for grades 9–11, plus Global Learning study abroad and a Catalyst immersive semester
  • Knights athletics across the West Bay, Peninsula, and West Catholic leagues — 22 varsity sports, with about 80% of upper-schoolers playing at least one

Academics

World languages

French, Latin, Mandarin, Spanish

Schedule

Seven-day rotating block

Signature programs

  • Applied Science & Engineering (Whitaker Lab) with an Applied Science Research course
  • M-Term experiential learning (grades 9–11)
  • Catalyst Semester
  • Global Learning study-abroad programs

College matriculation

Stanford, UC Berkeley, Duke, University of Wisconsin, Cornell, Northwestern, Dartmouth, Washington University in St. Louis, Boston College, Brown, Harvard, Pomona, Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton, Yale

See the full list

Athletics, arts & activities

Athletics · WBAL, PAL, and WCAL

BaseballBasketballCross CountryFlag FootballFootballGolfLacrosseSoccerSwimming & DivingTennisTrack & FieldVolleyballWater Polo

Arts

Studio ArtPhotographyMoviemakingInstrumental MusicVocal MusicDanceDrama

Clubs & activities

Mock TrialMenlo RoboticsInvesting ClubClimate CoalitionEthics in TechnologyModel United NationsBeekeeping
See all clubs

Life there

Tuition includes

  • Lunch
  • Bus and Caltrain shuttle transportation
  • Athletics
  • Most field trips and retreats

Food

Flik dining, lunch (included in tuition)

Learning support

Learning Support Program — Learning Center, Writing Center, and Student Success Plans

Notable alumni

  • Nick Woodman (GoPro founder)
  • Robby Krieger (The Doors guitarist)
  • Anthony Pritzker (businessman)
  • Ahna O'Reilly (actress)

Often on the same list

Crystal Springs Uplands School

Independent

The Nueva School

Independent

The College Preparatory School

Independent

Sources

  1. Menlo at a Glance — founding, Upper School enrollment, ratio, class size, diversity, athletics
  2. Affording Menlo — 2026-27 tuition and what it includes, aid reach
  3. Application Process & STAR Assessment — Renaissance Star (Reading & Math) required, ISEE/SSAT only from international and out-of-area applicants; deadlines, requirements, need-blind aid
  4. Daily Schedule — rotating block schedule
  5. World Language — languages taught
  6. Menlo Athletics — sports roster and leagues
  7. Arts — arts disciplines
  8. Applied Science & Engineering — Whitaker Lab research program
  9. Learning Support — academic support
  10. Student Activities & Traditions — clubs
  11. Dining — Flik dining
  12. Notable alumni — Nick Woodman, Robby Krieger, Anthony Pritzker, Ahna O'Reilly (Wikipedia)
  13. Menlo School homepage — motto ("Inspiring lives of meaning, impact, and joy," the "Why Menlo?" tagline)

Last reviewed July 2026