Charter High Schools

High schools

Alta Vista High School
1325 Bryant Ave., Mtn. View.
A district continuation program that offers a program focused on building academic and functional skills, as well as basic work habits. Students must meet the same rigorous graduation credit requirements and competency standards as all other students in the Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District. As a continuation high school, Alta Vista provides students a second chance to succeed.
Principal Bill Pierce.
Class Size: 25.
Enrollment: 150.
Call 650-691-2433, fax 650-691-2469.

Board of Education: Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District

* Judy Hannemann, president; phone: 650-968-5578; e-mail: judyhann@aol.com; term expires: December 2010. * Joe Mitchner, vice president; phone: 650-888-0553; e-mail: jmmvla@comcast.net; term expires: December 2010. * Julia Rosenberg, clerk, phone: 650-948-4044; e-mail: juliarosenberg@yahoo.com; term expires: December 2010. * Phil Faillace; phone: 650-941-5579; e-mail: mvlafaillace@yahoo.com; term expires: December 2012. * Susan Sweeley; phone: 650-941-0476; e-mail: ssweeley@apr.com; term expires: December 2012.

East Palo Alto Academy High
475 Pope St., Menlo Park.
A charter school since 2000, now a professional-development school with Stanford University School of Education. All charter school teachers have or are pursuing National Board certification.
Principal Bonnie Billings .
Class Size: About 20.
Enrollment: 315.
Call 650-329-2811.

Henry M. Gunn High School
780 Arastradero Road, Palo Alto.

Built: 1964; new pool and athletic fields built in 2008-09.
Principal Noreen Likins.
Class Size: Average 9th grade English and math class size: 22. Other subjects average class size: 28-30.
Enrollment: 1,950.
Call 650-354-8200; fax 650-493-7801.

Los Altos High School
201 Almond Ave., Los Altos.
Los Altos High School is a comprehensive high school offering a full spectrum of subjects. Traditional departmental offerings are augmented by thematic programs and special classes.
Principal Wynne Satterwhite.
Class Size: 29.
Enrollment: 1,668.
Call 650-960-8811; fax 650-948-8672.

Menlo-Atherton High School
555 Middlefield Road, Atherton.
Ethnic/racial percentages (2007-08): Caucasian, 41.9; Latino, 38.8; African American, 6.3; Pacific Islander, 5.3; Asian, 4.7; other (or declined to state), 1.7, Filipino, 1.0; American Indian .3.
Built: 1951.
Principal Matthew Zito.
Enrollment: 1,963.
Call 650-322-5311.

Middle College Program
12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills.
An alternative high school program for juniors and seniors located at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. It combines high-school and college classes in a collaborative effort between the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, the Palo Alto Unified School District and Foothill College.
Built: Established 1993.
Admission: Two letters of recommendation, application and essay. Foothill placement tests if accepted..
Enrollment: 65.
Call 650-949-7168; fax 650-917-8665.
E-mail: middlecollege@foothill.edu.

Mountain View High School
3535 Truman Ave., Mtn. View.
Academic program is tailored to meet the needs of a diverse student body. It provides a broad range of options including vocational courses for students who seek employment after graduation, post-high school training in technical institutes, community college classes and Advanced Placement programs that engage students in college-level work while still in high school.
Principal Keith Moody.
Class Size: 30-32.
Enrollment: 1,759.
Call 650-940-4600; fax 650-961-6349.

Mtn. View-Los Altos Union High School District Administration Office
1299 Bryant St., Mtn. View .
Ethnic/racial percentages (2008-09): Caucasian, 50; Latino, 20; Asian, 18; African American, 3; Filipino 4; other, 5.
Principal Superintendent: Dr. Barry R. Groves.
Call 650-940-4650; fax 650-961-1346.

Palo Alto High School
50 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto.

Built: 1918, many additions to original buildings since then; new athletic fields built 2008; original Tower building scheduled for renovation under 2008 Bond Measure A.
Principal Jacqueline McEvoy.
Class Size: 9th grade English and math: 22; all other classes: average 28.5.
Enrollment: 1,750.
Call 650-329-3710; fax 650-329-3753.

tes to renovate aging facilities, build new classrooms and facilities such as gyms and theaters. The Sequoia district continues development of the new Everest charter school in East Palo Alto, which is slated to open in the fall. Along with spacious classrooms to accommodate the expected incoming class of 100 freshmen, the district has plans to develop the site with new fencing, lighting, parking and landscaping. At the Sequoia district board meeting on May 6, 2009, the trustees authorized proceeding with the project, and the site is on schedule to be ready before the first day of school in August. Sequoia district board members: Lorraine Rumley, 650-367-1059; term ends December 2009. Don Gibson, president, 650-569-3990; term ends December 2011. Gordon Lewin, vice president, 650-323-0600; term ends December 2009. Dr. Olivia Martinez, 650-323-7311; term ends December 2011; Dr. Sarah D. Stewart, 650-851-7729; term ends December 2009.
Principal Superintendent: Pat Gemma.
Enrollment: 8,180.
Call 650-369-1411.

Woodside High School
199 Churchill Ave., Woodside.
Ethnic/racial percentages (2007-08): Caucasian, 36.7; Latino, 49.2; African American, 5.4; Pacific Islander, 3.2; Asian, 2.5; Filipino, 1.4; other (or declined to state), 1.2; American Indian, 0.4.
Built: 1958.
Principal David Reilly.
Enrollment: 1,936.
Call 650-367-9750.

Private high schools

Castilleja School
1310 Bryant St., Palo Alto.
All-girls, grades 6-12. Fosters intellectual, physical, creative and emotional growth through a college preparatory experience within a diverse and supportive community. Uniforms.
Built: 1907.
Principal Head of School: Joan Z. Lonergan.
Tuition: $31,100.
Admission: Applications due Jan. 14, 2010. Standardized testing required..
Class Size: 14-16.
Enrollment: 415.
Call 650-328-3160; fax 650-326-8036.
E-mail: admission@castilleja.org.

Crystal Springs Uplands School
400 Uplands Drive, Hillsborough.
Coed. Grades: 6-12. An independent, college preparatory school that promotes self-discovery and independent thinking. Emphasis on community building through mutual trust and respect and personal intellectual development.
Built: Established 1952.
Principal Director of Admission: Andrew Davis.
Tuition: $30,075.
Admission: Deadline Jan. 15, 2009. School visit, interview, recommendations, written application and standardized testing required. .
Class Size: Averages 14; student/teacher ratio is 9-to-1.
Enrollment: 350.
Call 650-342-4175; fax 650-342-7611.
E-mail: admission@csus.org.

Harker School, The
500 Saratoga  Ave., San Jose.
See Private Elementary and Middle Schools.
Built: Established in Palo Alto in 1893, moved to San Jose in 1972..
Principal Head of School: Chris Nikoloff.
Tuition: $20,674-$29,894.
Admission: Entrance exams, school records and character evaluations.
Class Size: Upper School: 8-18.
Enrollment: 1,700.
Call 408-249-2510 (9-12) to apply.
E-mail: admissions@harker.org.

Kehillah Jewish High School
3900 Fabian Way, Palo Alto.
A college-preparatory high school for boys and girls in grades 9-12 open to students and families from a wide range of Jewish backgrounds, including those with no prior Jewish education. State-of-the-art science and computer labs, art studio, music and drama room; regular, honors and AP classes; many sports teams and extracurricular offerings.
Principal Head of School: Lillian Howard; Principals: Alison Ruebusch and Mark Kahn.
Tuition: $27,900.
Admission: Admissions test, transcripts, teacher and administrator recommendations and a written personal statement.
Enrollment: 130.
Call 650-213-9600, ext. 154; fax 650-213-9601.
E-mail: info@kehillah.org.

Menlo School
50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton.
Offers a coeducational, challenging college preparatory curriculum. Grades 6-12.
Built: Established 1915.
Principal Head of School: Norman M. Colb.
Tuition: $32,000 for all grades. Financial aid is available.
Admission: Applications due in January. Standardized testing required.
Class Size: 16.
Enrollment: High school: 534.
Call 650-330-2000; fax 650-330-2002.
E-mail: info@menloschool.org.

Mid-Peninsula High School
1340 Willow Road, Menlo Park .
Coed for grades 9-12. A community for learning, the school is designed for students with academic potential who can benefit from a smaller environment and a flexible, individually focused academic program. Accredited by CAIS and WASC. College-prep curriculum approved by UC/state university systems.
Built: Established 1979.
Principal Head of School: Douglas C. Thompson.
Tuition: $24,963.
Admission: Year-round enrollment. Contact the school to arrange an information interview and to receive an application packet.
Class Size: 12.
Enrollment: 135.
Call 650-321-1991; fax 650-321-9921.
E-mail: info@mid-pen.com.

Mountain View Academy
360 S. Shoreline Blvd. , Mtn. View.
A coeducational, college preparatory, Christian high school operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church, Mountain View Academy provides quality, personalized education in a contemporary Christian environment.
Built: 1923.
Principal Dan Meidinger.
Tuition: $11,500.
Admission: Application form, transcript, recommendation letters, standardized test scores, interview required.
Class Size: 20.
Call 650-967-2324; fax 650-967-6886.
E-mail: dmeidinger@mtnviewacademy.org.

Notre Dame Belmont High School
1540 Ralston Ave., Belmont.
An all-girls, Catholic college preparatory school (Grades 9-12) that actively supports the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, psychological and social growth of its students. Academic program, extra-curricular activities, and competitive sports teams attract a wide cross-section of girls from the Peninsula.
Built: Established 1851.
Principal Rita Gleason.
Tuition: $15,975 .
Admission: Applications due Jan. 8, 2010; admission test and recommendations required..
Class Size: 26.
Enrollment: 555.
Call 650-595-2116.
E-mail: smccormick@ndhsb.org or jclemens@ndhsb.org.

Palo Alto Prep School
4000 Middlefield Road H-2, Palo Alto.
Grades 8-12. The school's purpose is to provide a fresh start toward academic and social success. Summer school offered in all subjects. WASC accredited.
Built: 1987.
Principal Director: Christopher Keck.
Tuition: $18,000 plus $1,500 registration, books and materials fee.
Admission: Open enrollment; interview and student shadow.
Class Size: 8-12.
Enrollment: 70.
Call 650-493-7071; fax 650-493-7073.
E-mail: info@paloaltoprep.com.

Pinewood School
26800 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills.
This college preparatory school teaches grades 7-12. Dress code in place.
Built: Established 1981.
Principal Mark Gardner.
Tuition: Grades 9-12, $22,690. Annual supplemental fee of $900 (grades 7-12) for art supplies, workbooks, textbooks and field trips..
Admission: Applications accepted Oct-mid Jan. Waiting lists. Testing, academic records, and teacher recommendations are required. Student interviews and shadow days are required for grades 4-12. Late applications will be considered on an individual basis..
Class Size: maximum of 20.
Enrollment: 7-12: 300.
Call 650-209-3010; fax 650-941-4727.
E-mail: ucinfo@pinewood.edu.

Sacred Heart Preparatory
150 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton.
Grades 9-12. A private, independent Roman Catholic school, a division of Sacred Heart Schools Atherton and a part of the International Network of Sacred Heart Schools.
Built: 1898.
Principal James Everitt.
Tuition: $29,755.
Admission: Application deadline Jan. 7; admissions tests required. Interview. Waiting list.
Class Size: 15.
Enrollment: 550.
Call 650-322-1928, 650-473-4006 for admissions; fax 650-326-2761.
E-mail: admission@shschools.org.

St. Francis High School
1885 Miramonte Ave., Mtn. View.
A diverse, coeducational, Catholic, college preparatory school focused on educating the whole person in the Holy Cross tradition. Comprehensive academic and extracurricular programs promote spiritual, intellectual and social development.
Built: 1955.
Principal Patricia Tennant.
Tuition: $12,200.
Class Size: 28.
Enrollment: around 1,600.
Call 650-968-1213; fax 650-968-1706.
E-mail: admissions@sfhs.com.

Waldorf School of the Peninsula High School, The
11311 Mora Drive, Los Altos.
Highly interactive and experiential curriculum with ethical and global focus; emphasis on developing original, lively thinking and problem-solving skills; challenging academics that go beyond textbooks and testing; progressive, creative approach grounded in adolescent development.
Built: Established 2007.
Principal Administrator: Stephanie Rynas .
Tuition: $21,250.
Admission: Application and interview required.
Class Size: 12.
Enrollment: 25.
Call 650-948-8433.
E-mail: enroll@waldorfpeninsula.org.

Woodside Priory School
302 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
High school grades 9-12; Coed Catholic/Benedictine school. College preparatory. Dress code.
Built: Established 1957.
Principal Headmaster: Timothy Molak.
Tuition: Comprehensive tuition and fees: $31,700 for day students; $45,400 for boarders; financial aid available.
Admission: Apply by Jan. 14, 2010. Entrance exam required.
Class Size: 15-18.
Enrollment: 350.
Call 650-851-8223; fax 650-851-2839.
E-mail: azappelli@prioryca.org.