Private elementary and middle schools

Beechwood School
50 Terminal Ave., Menlo Park.
This private school offers a traditional academic program. Enrollment is restricted to students who live within the boundaries of the Ravenswood City School District in East Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Grades: KinderPrep-8. Extended 215-day school year for KinderPrep and grades K-3.
Built: Established 1985.
Principal David Laurence.
Tuition: $150/month per child ($20 off on each additional child), with scholarships available.
Admission: Student and parent interviews, and testing.
Class Size: 18-20.
Enrollment: 170.
Call 650-327-5052; fax 650-327-5066.
E-mail: officeadmn@beechwoodschool.org.

Bowman International School
4000 Terman Drive, Palo Alto.
K-8 program with a Montessori approach. Individualized, self-directed learning is offered through a flexible day and year-round program.
Built: Founded 1995.
Principal Head of School: Marybeth Ricks.
Tuition: $18,270 for 12 months.
Admission: Parent and child interview required..
Enrollment: around 200.
Call 650-813-9131; fax 650-813-9132.
E-mail: info@bowmanschool.org.

Canterbury Christian School
101 N. El Monte Ave., Los Altos.
The school is a nonprofit corporation offering kindergarten through sixth grade. It teaches a Christian world and life view, training its students to glorify God in every area of life.
Built: 1972.
Principal Tillie Ann Milbank.
Tuition: $675 per month tuition (1-6).
Admission: Interview; entrance exam for placement.
Class Size: 16.
Enrollment: 100.
Call 650-949-0909.
E-mail: moreinfo@stpaulsanglicanchurch.org.

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: 15.
Enrollment: 415.
Call 650-328-3160; fax 650-326-8036.
E-mail: admission@castilleja.org.

Challenger School
Middlefield Road Campus, 3880 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.
Preschool-8. Emphasis on early reading, strong logic/thinking skills, self-reliance and individual achievement.
Built: 1999.
Principal Sanny Figueroa.
Tuition: Tuition per month depends on program. .
Admission: Testing required for elementary, none for preschool..
Class Size: Depends on grade..
Enrollment: 600.
Call 650-213-8245.

Emerson School
2800 W. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto.
An accelerated K-8 educational environment that promotes the development of the whole child by encouraging independence, self-reliance, exploration and the joy of learning. Personal responsibility, creativity and self-esteem are fundamental goals. Affiliated programs: Hacienda School-Grades 1-8, Pleasanton, 925-485-5750; HeadsUp! Child Development Centers in Palo Alto (650-424-1221), San Jose (408-432-1644) and Pleasanton (925-463-2885), for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and kindergartners.
Principal Administrator: Tracy Bootz .
Tuition: Ages 6-11, $1,355 per month; Ages: 11-14, $1,495 per month.
Admission: Enroll as space becomes available. Campus tours by appointment..
Class Size: Teacher-to-student ratio 1:12.
Enrollment: 50.
Call 650-424-1267.
E-mail: emerson@headsup.org.

German-American International School
275 Elliott Drive, Menlo Park.
Preschool-8th grade. Classes in this coeducational school are in German and English. Students should speak German by first grade.
Built: Established 1988.
Principal Head of School: Peter Metzger.
Tuition: $505/month to $13,675/year, depending on program and grade level. Various options available..
Class Size: 14-16.
Enrollment: 280.
Call 650-324-8617 for a free school tour; fax 650-324-9548.

Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School
450 San Antonio Road, Palo Alto.
Grades K-8. General studies in a Jewish environment. Modern Hebrew taught in all grades.
Built: Established 1989.
Principal Julie Smith.
Tuition: K-5 $16,990/year; 6-8 $18,650/year. Financial aid available.
Class Size: 24.
Enrollment: 380.
Call 650-494-8200; fax 650-424-0714.

Girls' Middle School, The
180 N. Rengstorff Ave., Mtn. View.
GMS promotes intellectual curiosity and disciplined study habits through a stimulating curriculum that provides a well-rounded exposure to the arts and the humanities while emphasizing science, math and computer technologies. GMS applies a hands-on, project-based approach that allows students to collaborate and think critically.
Built: Founded 1998.
Principal Head of School: Deb Hof.
Tuition: $19,660.
Admission: Testing, interviews, recommendations. Application fee.
Class Size: 16.
Enrollment: 144.
Call 650-968-8338, ext. 115; fax 650-968-4775.
E-mail: admissions@girlsms.org.

Harker School, The
500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose.
Offers a co-ed, independent program for students in K-12. Strong college-prep academics, as well as offerings in technology, the arts and athletics. Three San Jose campuses: Lower school (K-grade 5), 4300 Bucknall Road; Middle school (grades 6-8), 3800 Blackford Ave.; High school (grades 9-12), 500 Saratoga  Ave.
Built: Established in Palo Alto in 1893, moved to San Jose in 1972..
Principal Head of School: Chris Nikoloff.
Tuition: $21,910-$32,250.
Admission: Entrance exams, school records and character evaluations.
Class Size: K-8: 16; Upper School: 8-18.
Enrollment: 1,700.
Call 408-871-4600 (K-5); 408-248-2510 (6-8); 408-249-2510 (9-12) to apply.
E-mail: communications@harker.org.

HeadsUp! Child Development Center
2800 W. Bayshore Road, Palo Alto.
Montessori curriculum encourages fundamental thinking skills through art, music, imaginative play, practical life skills, language, mathematics, science and cultural activities. Kindergarten.
Principal Director: Tracy Bootz.
Tuition: $1,300-$2,300/month .
Enrollment: 130.
Call 650-424-1221; fax 650-856-2778.
E-mail: pacdc@headsup.org.

International School of the Peninsula
Upper Campus and Admissions: 151 Laura Lane, Palo Alto; Lower Campus: 3233 Cowper St., Palo Alto.
Nursery (age 3) through 8th grade day school with French-English and Mandarin Chinese-English dual language immersion programs.
Built: 1979.
Principal Head of School: Philippe Dietz.
Tuition: $18,250 Nursery-5th grade; $20,450 6th-8th grade. Financial aid and French Bourse available.
Admission: Applications due January; rolling admissions afterwards..
Class Size: Between 5-25.
Enrollment: 570.
Call 650-251-8504; fax 650-251-8501.
E-mail: admissions@istp.org.

Keys School
2890 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto .
This coed school offers education for grades K-8.
Built: Established 1973.
Principal Head of School: Jon Ninnemann.
Tuition: $18,975 a year for grades K-4 and $20,035 a year for grades 5-8. Financial aid available.
Admission: Apply by end of January; tour for prospective students October-January. Parent interview and student visit required. Testing.
Class Size: average ratio 8:1; average class size 19..
Enrollment: 176.
Call 650-328-1711; fax 650-328-4506.
E-mail: admission@keysschool.com.

Living Wisdom School, The
456 College Ave., Palo Alto.
The school offers instruction to children in grades pre-K-8, coed. Integrated curriculum that honors values universal to all religions.
Built: 1991.
Principal Helen Purcell.
Tuition: $9,980-$14,950.
Admission: Interviews required.
Class Size: Teacher-to-student ratio: 1:8.
Enrollment: 60.
Call 650-462-8150; fax 650-462-8154.
E-mail: info@livingwisdomschool.org.

Los Altos Christian School
625 Magdalena Ave., Los Altos.
K-8. A ministry of First Baptist Church of Los Altos, LACS is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Smaller classes for students with learning differences.
Built: 1982.
Principal Susan Torode .
Tuition: $7,200-$13,500 in 10 monthly payments.
Admission: Applications taken Oct. 1 .
Class Size: Varies, 8-30.
Enrollment: 250.
Call 650-948-3738.
E-mail: staff and teachers are accessible via email at firstname.lastname@lacs.com.

Menlo School
50 Valparaiso Ave., Atherton.
An independent, coeducational college preparatory day school for students in 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: 15.
Enrollment: 760.
Call 650-330-2001; fax 650-330-2002.
E-mail: info@menloschool.org.

Nativity School
1250 Laurel St., Menlo Park.
Catholic school for grades K-8. Extended care for Nativity students is available from 7-8 a.m. and from school dismissal until 5:45 p.m. for an additional fee. Uniforms.
Built: 1956.
Principal Carol Trelut.
Tuition: $5,200-$8,000 depending on family participation. Lower fees for multiple children. .
Admission: Placement testing for grade levels; waiting lists for some grades.
Class Size: 33.
Call 650-325-7304; fax 650-325-3841.
E-mail: info@nativityschool.com.

Odyssey School
201 Polhemus Road, San Mateo.
An independent, private middle school for gifted and talented students serving Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties, Odyssey School provides a creative, integrated, experiential curriculum that nurtures intellectual curiosity and emotional risk-taking.
Built: Established 1997.
Principal Head of School: Stephen K. Smuin.
Class Size: 10-15.
Enrollment: 45.
Call 650-548-1500.
E-mail: ssmuinOdyssey@yahoo.com.

Peninsula School
920 Peninsula Way, Menlo Park.
A nonprofit, progressive school situated on six acres that focuses on the whole child by offering a rich and engaging curriculum in academics and the arts.  Special instruction in art, science, math, dramatics, ceramics, weaving, music, dance, physical education, wood shop and weaving. Nursery-8th grade.
Built: Established 1925.
Principal Director: Kathleen Dalgleish.
Tuition: $10,470-$13,685/year.
Admission: Visit, interview; application due by Feb. 1.
Class Size: 18-21.
Enrollment: 255.
Call 650-325-1584; fax 650-325-1313.
E-mail: katy@peninsulaschool.org, marylou@peninsulaschool.org.

Phillips Brooks School
2245 Avy Ave., Menlo Park.
Preschool-grade 5.
Built: Established 1978.
Principal Head of School: Kristi A. Kerins; Director of ELC: Debra Jarjoura; Director of Admissions: Amanda Perla .
Tuition: 3-year-olds, $12,500; 4-year-olds, $15,700; K-Grade 5, $22,500. Tuition assistance is available for all grade levels.
Admission: Year round; testing in February for upper grades. Wait pool. Uniforms for K-5..
Class Size: 18. Student-teacher ratio 8:1.
Enrollment: 270.
Call 650-854-4545; fax 650-854-6532.
E-mail: info@phillipsbrooks.org.

Pinewood School
477 Fremont Ave., Los Altos.
Lower Campus teaches grades K-2. Two other Pinewood campuses teach grades 3-6 (327 Fremont Ave. Los Altos) and 7-12 (26800 Fremont Road, Los Altos Hills). Uniforms required.
Built: Established 1959.
Principal Principal for K-2: Debbi Applegarth; Principal for 3-6: Susan Giovanni.
Tuition: Grade K, $11,500; grades 1-6, $16,500; grades 7-8, $21,840. Annual supplemental fee of $750 (grades K-6) and $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: 8-10 in kindergarten; 12-20 in grades 1-2; 15-20 in grades 3-6.
Enrollment: K-6: 285-300.
Call 650-209-3050 for lower campus; 650-209-3030 for middle campus.
E-mail: lcinfo@pinewood.edu, mcinfo@pinewood.edu.

St. Elizabeth Seton School
1095 Channing Ave., Palo Alto.
Catholic, coed. Grades K-8. Uniforms. Extended day program available. Strong parent involvement.
Built: 1978.
Principal Sister Adella Armentroeut.
Tuition: $2,800 per student, price lowers with each additional student. All students receive tuition assistance..
Admission: Application, admissions test.
Class Size: 30.
Enrollment: around 270.
Call 650-326-9004; fax 650-326-2949.

St. Joseph Catholic School
1120 Miramonte Ave., Mtn. View.
Roman Catholic school of the San Jose Diocese, serving 200 families with students in K-8th grade. The school is committed to educating the whole child in an environment where spiritual growth, academic excellence and an appreciation of multicultural values are fostered. WASC accredited.
Principal Stephanie Knight.
Tuition: $7,590 per child.
Admission: Admission to St. Joseph Catholic School shall be determined by the pastor and the principal in accordance with Diocesan policies. Opens enrollment in January. Based on available space. $50 application fee..
Class Size: 30.
Enrollment: 250.
Call 650-967-1839; fax 650-691-1530.
E-mail: info@sjmv.org.

St. Joseph's School of the Sacred Heart
50 Emilie Ave., Atherton.
Grades 1-8. A private, independent Roman Catholic school, a division of Sacred Heart Schools Atherton and a part of the International Network of Sacred Heart Schools. (See Childcare centers and preschools for information on preschool and kindergarten.)
Built: 1898.
Principal Bridget Collins.
Tuition: $21,235 for grades 1-5; $26,735 for grades 6-8.
Admission: rolling admissions. Testing, interview, waiting list.
Class Size: Grades 1-5: 16; grades 6-8: 20; student-teacher ratio 12:1.
Enrollment: 48 per grade.
Call 650-322-9931; 650-473-4011 for admissions office; fax 650-322-7656.
E-mail: bcollins@shschools.org.

St. Nicholas Catholic School
12816 S. El Monte Ave., Los Altos Hills.
Committed to educating the whole child, with offerings in music, art and physical education as part of the curriculum. After-school sports offered beginning in fourth grade. Coed; serves grades K-8. Each family at St. Nicholas School is required to participate in 40 hours of volunteer service to the school.
Built: Founded 1953.
Principal Matthew Komar.
Tuition: $6,250-$8,900/year. Lower rates for in-parish families and additional children..
Admission: Interview; $50 application fee..
Class Size: 28.
Enrollment: 253.
Call 650-941-4056; fax 650-917-9872.
E-mail: info@StNicholasLAH.com.

St. Raymond School
1211 Arbor Road, Menlo Park.
Catholic, coeducational elementary school. Grades: K-8.
Built: 1954.
Principal Sister Ann Bernard.
Tuition: $7,115.
Admission: Applications available end of January for 2010 school year. Tours scheduled in November and December. Open house usually last Sunday in January; call to verify date and time. .
Class Size: 32 maximum.
Enrollment: 250.
Call 650-322-2312; fax 650-322-2910.
E-mail: akelly@straymond.org.

St. Simon Catholic School
1840 Grant Road, Los Altos.
Offers K-8 academic instruction under guidelines of the Diocese of San Jose. The school is WASC accredited.
Built: 1961.
Principal Steve Clossick.
Tuition: $5,870-$7,660.
Admission: By application.
Class Size: 17:1.
Enrollment: 550.
Call 650-968-9952; fax 650-988-9308.
E-mail: sclossick@stsimon.org.

St. Stephen Lutheran School
320 Moorpark Way, Mtn. View.
Offers a Christ-centered and solid academic education for students in grades K-8. Christian character development takes place in a personalized, tutorial atmosphere.
Built: 1995.
Principal Sara Pfeiffer.
Tuition: $600 a month. Discounts offered for multiple enrolled children.
Admission: Application/questionnaires/interview.
Call 650-961-2071; fax 650-961-2071.

Stratford School
870 N. California Ave., Palo Alto.
Preschool-5th grade.
Principal Elementary Principal: Sherrie Paregian; Preschool Principal: Pam Elkhechen.
Tuition: $2,460-$12,530 depending on program enrolled.
Class Size: Depends on program.
Enrollment: 300.
Call 650-493-1151.
E-mail: pa@stratfordschools.com.

Trinity School
2650 Sand Hill Road, Menlo Park.
A co-ed Episcopal school. Early Childhood Program-grade 5. Early Childhood Program for ages 3 and 4, at Holy Trinity Church, 330 Ravenswood, Menlo Park. Elementary school is on Sand Hill Road. Uniforms required.
Built: Established 1961.
Principal Head of School: Mary Menacho.
Tuition: $14,570 for Early Childhood Program, $20,950 for K-Grade 5.
Admission: Call for select grade openings. Tour posted on website.
Class Size: Approximately 20 (one class per grade).
Call 650-854-0288, ext.100; fax 650-854-1374.
E-mail: admission@trinity-mp.org.

Waldorf School of the Peninsula, The
11311 Mora Drive, Los Altos.
One of more than 1,000 Waldorf schools worldwide that share the educational methods of Rudolf Steiner. Waldorf prepares students for adulthood by teaching self-discipline, independence, mastery of analytical and critical faculties and reverence for the environment.
Built: 1984.
Principal Administrator: Stephanie Rynas.
Tuition: $16,400 for K-8, $21,250 for high school..
Admission: Application and interview required.
Class Size: 22.
Enrollment: 226.
Call 650-948-8433; fax 650-949-2494.
E-mail: info@waldorfpeninsula.org.

Woodland School
360 La Cuesta Drive, Portola Valley.
Preschoolers, K-8. Private, coeducational day school focusing on academics with a strong enrichment program, including French, art, music, computers, PE, after-school sports and gymnastics. Extended day care for enrolled students is offered year-round from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Built: 1981.
Principal Head of School: John Ora.
Tuition: $15,900 for grades K-4; $16,900 for grades 5-8; $11,400 preschool.
Admission: Two-day evaluation. Admissions Director: Louise Douglas.
Class Size: 17.
Call 650-854-9065; fax 650-854-6006.
E-mail: info@woodland-school.org.

Woodside Priory School
302 Portola Road, Portola Valley.
Middle school grades 6-8; 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.

Yew Chung International School of Silicon Valley
310 Easy St., Mtn. View.
YCIS provides multicultural and bilingual, English and Mandarin Chinese, education to children from pre-school to 5th grade. No prior Chinese experience is required. Also features Yew Chung Arts and Language Program (YALP), an afternoon bilingual program.
Principal Director: Dr. Betty Chan Po-king.
Tuition: $800-$1,730/month depending on program. .
Class Size: 17.
Enrollment: 220.
Call 650-903-0986; fax 650-903-0976.
E-mail: enquiry@ycef.com.