I loved this school! I went there in the 1950s and yes it is true, as a couple of reviews said, you don't have to wear shoes and it's true it didn't prepare me for what "real" elementary schools were like. After happily running wild and free and sometimes, often actually barefoot, and getting dirty, and being taught how to use a jig saw and making a puzzle with it at age 6 by Woody the shop teacher and lying on the radiant heated floors listening to our teacher Mary Catherine read to us about Ishi and Sir Francis Drake and the Straits of Magellan! Plus gathering acorns and making corn meal mush, and trampolining on the king size trampoline on the deck of the big building and running wild through the big building. Why yes, it was quite a shock to this little girl who thrived there to go to a regular public school where I had to wear a dress and not talk after the bell rung and walk in straight lines silently between classes. Where when my two little friends and I talked after the bell rung at recess we were sent to the Principals office and were about to get whipped or hit until my mother charged up the hill but still the three of us were put into three different classes and were not supposed to walk to school together anymore which of course we did. Yeah I did not fit in and I hated the new school and I was silent there numb and in fear. Peninsula School is not for everyone but up until I went to UC Berkeley which hit many of the same marks it was the best school experience I ever had. And I too was there when Joan Baez played guitar on the stairs at Peninsula and I was very fortunate because my father became the school photographer so I could go there for not too much money. Peninsula School was a very happy time for this wild child. It fostered my love of dirt, and adventure, art and reading. Plus hey I learned how to use a power tool at age 6! Yippee read more

We have been at Peninsula for 5 years.  Over that time, our son has overcome attention and social engagement challenges which prevented him from succeeding at other private schools.     It is difficult to know how to credit the people, the place, the other students, external help and just the passage of time,    but he has enjoyed going to school every day. He has always been an extremely curious kid,  choosing to tinker and watch documentaries when other kids choose video games and play sports.    (OK OK he plays video games a little more now).       He turned out to be a great natural reader.  However he has challenges with processing speed and working memory.      Given that, the school has really fed his curiosity and met him where he is, sometimes adapting small groupings with similar levels in math or other topics,  and being able to offer some accommodations like sitting near the front, scaffolding tasks, or headphones.   Each year has been different, but we have found a way to work with each teacher to support him.       We have an older child in a much more "structured" prep-y private school.   The contrast in community and experience is stark.   Peninsula is a haven of good-willed people looking for something a little bit missing in the modern world, which has been a source of connection for us as adults as well.    While we value both environments, Peninsula has been the right answer for our younger child and for our family. read more

Peninsula School has been everything we hoped for and more! After our son struggled in public school TK, we made the switch and haven't looked back. Now he's flourishing - reading voraciously, loving math and science. Our daughter is in her second year of preschool and developing amazing confidence and social skills. Pros: -Progressive, child-led learning that actually works -Amazing teachers who communicate regularly -Strong focus on both academics and social-emotional growth -Incredible community of families -Emphasis on play-based learning (6.5 acres of nature to play/roam/explore!) -True commitment to inclusivity The school's approach to education is refreshing - they understand that kids learn best through exploration and play while still maintaining high academic standards. Teachers are incredibly engaged and provide frequent updates on student progress. What really sets Peninsula apart is the community. Both our kids have made wonderful friends, and we parents have too! It's the kind of place where everyone looks out for each other. read more

This is our daughter's fourth year at Peninsula School. She spent two wonderful years in the Nursery program and is now in first grade. Peninsula creates an environment that nurtures each child's creativity, voice, and sense of self in the world. We've watched our daughter flourish in the care of this community of wise, compassionate and gifted educators and staff. When we were searching for the right school, one of the things that stood out to us about Peninsula was the students we interacted with, who were self-possessed, confident young people who clearly felt passionately about their school. We also spoke with a current parent who is a teacher at a local high school. She mentioned that she made the decision to send her own children to Peninsula after noticing the unique characteristics that marked the Peninsula kids that came through her classroom. She observed that the kids who had graduated from Peninsula were avid learners, self confident and unafraid to interact with teachers and other adults or to advocate for themselves in the classroom. The other key factor for us in deciding to send our daughter to Peninsula was the natural environment of the campus, which feels like an oasis of calm in a very busy and often stressful area. When we first set foot on the campus, we had the sense that it is a place where kids can be kids---reveling in nature, exploring, climbing trees, searching for owls, swinging on rope swings. The fact that the school has an annual camping trip and encourages kids to have a sense of comfort in the outdoors was also a big plus for us. The community at the school is very special. Students (and parents!) build lifelong friendships here and often hang out on campus long after the end of the day in the classroom, letting the kids play and explore the campus. The Bay Area can be a pretty high-pressure, competitive place. At Peninsula, we see our daughter being supported to be herself and to find her place in a caring community that feels like an island of sanity. We have observed how the pedagogy at Peninsula fosters intrinsic motivation in the kids---teaching them to love to learn, not just to learn in order to ace the tests. If you are looking for a school that is all about academic advancement, you may wish to look elsewhere. But if you want a school that will give your child a firm academic foundation while also supporting them to become whole people who are grounded, socially engaged and creative thinkers, Peninsula is your place. read more

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My brother and I went to Peninsula for two years in the 1950's because the schools in Menlo Park we're on double sessions. I already knew how to read, so I would spend time lying on a couch in the library. The librarian would bring me stacks of great nonfiction books to read. Each day we would chose what we wanted to do! Pottery, painting a fence, woodworking, basket making, weaving on giant looms, art, and drama. There were trees you could climb and places to discover. My younger cousin went there after me. I asked her if they had drama and music. She's an opera singer. She said Joan Baez would come to the school with her guitar and sing! They also took great field trips. read more

When we first began exploring schools for our son, private education was never something we envisioned for our family. My wife and I grew up attending public schools, and the idea of sending our child to a private school, especially one as unconventional as Peninsula School, seemed foreign to us. I was particularly skeptical, wondering if it was truly necessary to invest in a private education, especially at a place where children were encouraged to walk around barefoot, climb trees, and didn't have regular homework. We dutifully looked at other schools, including private ones that proudly highlighted their STEM courses and robotics labs. While these offerings were impressive, they didn't align with what we felt was most important for our son at this stage in his life. Our priority during these early years has been fostering his social and emotional development, nurturing his curiosity, and helping kindle his joy of learning. We believe this foundation will be invaluable in helping him handle the academic pressures that will undoubtedly come. I'm not preparing him to be an engineer or computer programmer right now--I want him to learn how to learn, to find joy in the process, so that he can pursue any path, including ones that don't even exist yet. We wanted to delay the onslaught of academic pressure for as long as possible, and give him space to grow and learn at his own pace, without the stress of tests and rigid academic milestones. In short, we wanted him to have the chance to be a child--to explore, play, and discover the world naturally and joyfully. Our son has flourished at Peninsula. He's become a kind, funny, confident, and curious child who navigates different friend groups with ease. We are deeply grateful to his kindergarten and first grade teacher, who helped nurture our shy boy's curiosity and build up his confidence, and who encouraged his creativity and love of woodworking and crafts. He can still be shy and silly, often hanging back to observe before diving into a new activity, but these traits are respected rather than viewed as things to be discouraged or outgrown. One thing we've noticed about Peninsula kids is their confidence and independence when interacting with children from other schools. They seem to relish physical activities (climbing especially) and approach challenges with a sense of adventure and resilience. This confidence and love for activity is something we see reflected in our son as well. Our family has also benefited from the strong sense of community at Peninsula. We've formed deep bonds with other families, connections that we didn't anticipate but are incredibly grateful for. In the end, Peninsula School has given our son, and our family, something we didn't even know we were looking for: a place where our child can be himself, explore his interests, and develop into a well-rounded, happy, and confident person. And for that, we couldn't be more thankful. read more

Peninsula School has been such a wonderful experience for our family. My daughter has thrived in the nursery program. Honestly, I wish I could also go to school there. The faculty is so warm and wonderful and really sees each kid as an individual, meeting them where they are. The kids get to spend so much time outside and the preschool curriculum focuses a lot on relationship building, conflict resolution etc. (important building blocks of childhood). The preschool kids also visit the school library twice a week and have regular science, music and PE classes. I cannot say enough great things about this school. It doesn't have all the fancy, unnecessary, high-tech bells and whistles you find at so many Bay Area schools. It's childhood and education distilled into its purest form; a place where kids can love learning, take risks, and find their place in a community. read more

My two daughters have been in the Peninsula School for 5 years, and they love their school. Every morning they are exited to go to school, and oftentimes look forward to school during various breaks. Peninsula School is a community filled with loving, caring, authentic and hard-working teachers, staff and fellow parents. The school uses a progressive approach and places social emotional development at the foundation of its curriculum. They respect kids as capable individuals. There are so many fun traditions such as camping, kids rock concerts, spring fair and craft fair, all of which make Peninsula a very special place. The campus is surrounded by nature with a forest feeling that we truly love read more

We adore Peninsula! When we first set out to look for school, our primary consideration was community. We wanted to find a place that felt like a warm embrace, where our children would be exposed to different cultures and ways of life, where they'd become good citizens of the world rather than good test-takers. During our tour, we were in awe of the majestic trees and charming buildings. I was struck by the pedagogy and the earnestness of the teachers and staff, but most of all, I was struck by the pace. Stepping onto campus feels like an intentional oasis in an increasingly busy world with too much traffic, too many screens, and not enough time for genuine connection. We felt instantly that this was a place we belonged, where our children would feel seen, and be allowed to grow into their best selves. Now many years later, I know this to be true as I've seen my children form bonds with teachers and staff, forge friendships with other families, and as we have shared caregiver conferences with educators who deeply know and care for our students. During the wintertime, there is an area of campus that forms a rather large puddle that lasts through spring. "Lake Peninsula," as it's called, takes on a life of its own. If we're lucky, it becomes home to new life. Recently, our family has been riveted by a mama duck and ducklings that have inhabited Lake Peninsula. Every day my kids come home to report on their whereabouts and safety. It was devastating when one of the ducklings was taken by a hawk; an important lesson in nature and the cycle of life. What strikes me is that we wouldn't have this experience anywhere but Peninsula. read more

I went here last year, and now I am on to high school. It was such a wonderful time; every single teacher cares about the students, and while learning, you can enjoy yourself like nowhere else. I fully believe there is no other place I could've gone that would've given me such an experience. As of recent times, the administration has gone downhill, but I am still rating 5 stars because I think it will be the best choice regardless. If you want your kid to have a good childhood, go here. read more

Peninsula School has been an amazing experience for our kindergartener and for us as his parents. The school puts joy, love, and play at the center of the learning environment and process. Instead of orienting on test scores and grades, Peninsula School strives to instill and nurture the love of learning, the internal desire to explore and understand, and it shows - our child loves going to school everyday, and we witness the blossoming of his curiosity and confidence to engage in all kinds of pursuits, from reading to woodworking to physical play to arithmetic. Peninsula emphasizes the development of the whole child - self-confidence, emotional awareness, the ability to understand others and form deep friendships, the willingness to take risks and embrace challenges. Freedom and responsibility are part of the core values of Peninsula, which has helped our child on his journey towards independence - from learning how to walk around campus on his own to thinking about and choosing from a variety of daily activities. The teachers at Peninsula continue to impress us with their thoughtfulness, authenticity, and talent, as well as their passion for the pillars of progressive education. Our child regularly wants to stay a little longer when we come to pick him up from after care, which is heartwarming. And we love how intentional the families are about building community among the parents and the kids. We are so happy and grateful that our child is at Peninsula School. read more

This is our second year in the Peninsula nursery program. The nursery is essentially a preschool program. Children spend two years in the nursery program, starting at age 3 until they go into kindergarten. We started in nursery in the Fall of 2019, and my son could not be happier. Last year was his first time being away from us, and he held on pretty tight. The school was incredibly supportive during that huge transition for both of us. Now, he leaves for school with excitement and often wants to stay longer to play at the end of the day. He has asked on multiple occasions if he can always stay in the same class even when he gets older. He obviously feels safe, loved, and has a wonderful time. We came to Peninsula because we value many aspects of the school's approach to education. We love the support for independent, creative, and unstructured play; the children learn with the freedom to explore all kinds of art materials, sand, water, climbing, swinging, sensory play. My son will often start in the sandbox, then go to painting, then move onto the tire swing, then back to playdoh, etc. They have story time , snack/mealtimes, and some programming (music, science, school library trips, PE), but primarily the children are encouraged to explore what interests them at their own pace, and they provide a lot to explore. My son's independent play and creativity exploded at home after starting at Peninsula. Nursery also has a strong focus on the vital importance of social-emotional development at this age. They lovingly support the children to navigate new friendships and conflict, and help them communicate with each other. After looking at many preschools that were essentially built on concrete, I am also incredibly grateful for the beautiful, tree-filled (and somewhat wonderfully muddy) environment of the campus. Our nursery class has a garden, apple trees, and a giant sandbox. The entire school went into distance learning at the end of last school year (2020). It was rough and my son grieved for leaving school, but they did an good job keeping him connected through zoom and phone calls. This year, we are back in person and it feels safe. They've done an amazing job coordinating a thorough plan which seems to be going very smoothly. They take temperatures, the children all wear masks, spend most of their time outside, and are supported to wash hands regularly. My son is ecstatic about being back on campus and even said (unprompted) that he sometimes forgets he is wearing a mask, which I think is the best-case scenario given the circumstances with the ongoing pandemic. I love Peninsula school and I am looking forward to many happy years there for my children. read more

The Peninsula School - Elementary Schools Near Me - Menlo Park, California

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When I think back to growing up, my thoughts always go back to Peninsula School and the hours my sister and I spent playing there. I'm reviewing this school, not as a student, but as a previous neighbor and for its historical importance. The main building of the school, The Coleman Mansion, was a wedding gift from James Coleman to his wife, Camelita in 1880. In 1925 the wonderful house and grounds became what is now Peninsula School. Fifty years later in 1975, the mansion had its moment in Hollywood history when it was featured in the Disney movie, Escape to Witch Mountain. The scene is shot in the front area of the school where the two kids discover they can "use their powers" against bullies. I was so proud to live across the street after my parents rented the movie for us! The Mansion, as it stands now, has gained age and character from its opening days in 1925, but the surrounding oak trees and small school rooms give it a charm that is uniquely Peninsula School. As kids, my sister and I felt so lucky to simply run across the street to the hugest playground imaginable: "OUR playground!". The huge block that encompasses the school is much more than your average school yard. It's more akin to an overgrown park: old blankets left over from hideouts of years past, structures built and put back together many times over, random shoes tied together, old tires, you get the idea. Any kid's heaven! We spent many hours on the rope swings that hang from huge old tree branches, played games of HORSE, and then my dare devil of a little sister used to climb up past the highest tree house until I yelled at her that I would get in trouble. I was just there six months ago. My sister was two months away from having her first baby and it was the perfect walk back in time. We sat on the same see saws and checked out our favorite hideouts that have been known to now 85 years of kids. And just like usual, she dared me that she would literally jump from a huge 5 foot metal ball and swing on the rope swing. And of course, she did! I hope you enjoyed my memories and have a new found appreciation for a mansion and a school that is much more than it appears. When I visit there now, it feels as if nothing has changed. After school is out, the kids have fallen to a quiet hum, swinging on a rope swing at Peninsula School is the perfect thing to do at any age. read more

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Not a bad school if it fits your child's style of education along with your parenting style. The kids have more say/choices in what they do each day. So it does give them more freedom of choice and responsibilities...(if they can achieve them). Be wary of the public school kids on your block having homework and working on various projects for school. Peninsula has no homework at all...Nor is there a grade to be seen at the end of any semester or final grade for promotion to the next level. So if your expecting Sissy and Tommy to come home with A's and B's you're going to be in for a bit of a shock. Above all do not question decisions made by the administrator/s or faculty. The mission statement is a bit misleading...In the end you pay a yearly tuition with an expectation of a "volunteered financial contribution" each year! If you don't participate you are hounded until you succumb...A little stretch from the "Voluntary contribution" campaign that comes about every year. As with any school I guess it comes down to the bottom line...MONEY....As much as they talk about the well being of children there, if you rock the boat with questions and don't contribute what they deem sufficient you will be asked to leave..."The school is not a fit for Siissy and/or Tommy...so we will not extend a re-enrollment form for the next year.... " As far as questioning guest speakers or classroom assignments it brought back memories of yesteryear, "Dare not question why...yours is but to do or die!" Should you meet with resistance from the faculty it seems to follow you throughout your child's time at this school. In the end it's better if you go in the place with an attitude of, "Go along to get along." Also don't miss the experience of former parents coming back to discuss their child's transitions to High School. 5 out of the 6 parents there admitted that the transitions for their kids to public High School was an incredible challenge on both parents and child. In the end you really have to explore what kind of school will make your kids successful, both in school and life. This school has some redeeming qualities and is good for some kids while not for others... read more

Peninsula is a wonderful world of whimsy and fantasy. It would be great if the real world were more like that, but unfortunately, it isn't and the children who graduate from Peninsula have a very hard time adjusting to high school. Suddenly, there is homework, expectations that must be met, RULES in the classroom, and oh--you have to wear shoes at school. Not so at Peninsula. While I feel that many of the experiences offered at this school are valuable, I feel it does not prepare children for the world outside. read more

Our daughter started kindergarten there in the fall and we love it. It is the perfect fit for our daughter and family. The children are respected and honored and able to make choices. She has three teachers in her class of 18 students so there is plenty of attention and space and time for her to learn at her pace. We also love the community and are excited for our years to come at Peninsula School! read more

I went to this school from 1977-1981. It saved my life. I was a wrecked, misunderstood child, and going here helped me a lot. I still have the craft knowledge and morals this school taught me. So many awesome memories, I talk fondly of it often. Any child is the luckiest child if they get to go here. :) read more

Love this place. We come very often on the weekend to play with the Tarzan rope and climb in the tree house. The curriculum sounds amazing.

My daughter, now a 7th grader at Peninsula, has attended since 1st grade. It's difficult to sum up so many wonderful years for her. She loves her school, loves learning, is very grounded and is very happy. She never wants to miss a day and always comes home excited about projects and choices. My only negative is that the school's web-site states that "teachers and parents work together" and my experience is that this doesn't really happen. Sure the teachers are available to meet with parents and will give you individual attention but the actual "working together" part is very limited. Mostly parents are encouraged to help with fundraisers. Yet the teachers are the best part! Each one uniquely creative, patient, and obviously loves teaching at Peninsula. Don't worry about homework and tests -- kids here learn in other ways. They blossom and learn in a much more well-rounded way than at a typical public school. Somehow giving kids the freedom to play in the dirt, climb trees, and go barefoot is all part of it. I'm especially appreciative now that we are in "junior high" and I hear about girls at other schools who get caught up in pre-teen dramas and social pressures. None of that at Peninsula. These 7th graders are eager to learn and work together. If you're lucky enough to have your application accepted, don't hesitate to join the school. It's a hidden treasure. read more

Great school. A hidden gem in the heart of Menlo Park. Peninsula School has since the early 1900's been recognized as the leader in progressive education, serving as a model school for other schools that have opened since. The typical Peninsula student is extremely analytical & intelligent, caring, creative, and genuine. This is because Peninsula nurtures and develops the whole student: a superb social-emotional education, excellent academics (an impressive, unique, partly core based curricula/partly uniquely tailored each student), participation in chorus and rock band, and unlimited opportunities and assignments/electives in ceramics, wood shop, creative writing, weaving, coding, etc). Because Peninsula is not a huge school with only one class of 17 students per grade, under the leadership of an amazing new Head of School, Jim Benz, who came to Peninsula from a prestigious, elite East Coast private school--Peninsula is continually finding ways to integrate new technologies and modernize the beautiful, sprawling campus (ipads/macbooks for students in class) and improve its curriculum. The point being--Peninsula does not emphasize memorizing facts; instead, because its students are not burnt out by the daily memorization grind typical of i.e. Challenger Schools, etc., the progressive teachers and Peninsula's culture instill character building, social-emotional intelligence, empathy to fellow students, duty to one's school/community/family (volunteering throughout the school and in all grades), the development of a well balanced student, honing superb communication, social skills, and self confidence as evidenced by giving presentations and other activities throughout the year. In addition, the hands on learning aspect of the curriculum helps reinforce complex concepts learned in all sciences as well: bio, physical science, coding, physics, history, comparative literature. As other parents in this forum have mentioned, I have to be honest to say that at first, given the minimal to no homework and no grades I was a little worried myself; however, when our child as well as several others scored in the 93-99 percentile range in all four sections of the the ISEE I realized their teaching model must be doing something right-- and admissions committees know this well of prospective Peninsula applicants. Other pluses: a great mix of veteran teachers (20-30 years) as well as recent hires (5-7 yrs.) who graduated from Stanford and even a longstanding teacher with a Phd from an Ivy. Other pluses: very low teacher to student ratio-17-19 students max in each class-Main teacher and 1-3 assistant teachers per class). In terms of athletics: offered are after school Track and Field and basketball--and a daily dose of a variety of physical activities. And lastly, Peninsula has incredible Music and Drama (each grade performs their own play/production in front of the community) programs: all students participate in Chorus in the early grades and all move on to learning, playing and singing in school (drums, bass, electric guitar, keyboards, etc.) and participate in rock concerts (twice a year "rock concerts" are held in front of hundreds, thus boosting students' confidence). Contrary to aforementioned reviews with respect to transitioning after Peninsula, our students' transition to a rigorous, private school was easy because of the self-confidence and maturity gained by attending Peninsula (this holds true for everyone else we know). Even more impressive is the admissions/counseling and placement office, lead by long time Director, May Lou. Her dedication to Peninsula and leadership skills ensures that Peninsula students, when they graduate, get into their top 1-3 choice private schools after Peninsula (many students each year are admitted to and have their choice of Casti, Nueva, Menlo, Harker, Priory, Serra, SHP, Crystal, St. Francis, Paly, Gunn, Summit, M-A,etc.). Peninsula School has great support for its students get into top schools by providing very lengthy recommendations. What about the lack of a "graded transcript" ? Because there are no letter grades, Peninsula provides very lengthy, several pages long per student, yearly, beautifully written narratives of your child in lieu of traditional transcripts which provide an extensive insight into a students' character and abilities. Admissions Committees love this and really get to know Peninsula students more so than admissions committees just seeing a transcript of "A's and B's." Believe you me, everyone applying to private schools gets A's and B's--it's just that the narratives really allow Peninsula students to stand out. The great equalizer of course is the ISEE and SSAT anyways and Peninsula students always ace those tests. The upshot being--join the family, that is The Peninsula School and enter as early as pre-school to as late as 7th grade--apply early as there can be of 5-7 applicants per spot at any entry grade. read more

This is an amazing educational experience. My brother and I both started out in Nursery School and went all the way through 8th grade. After graduating from Peninsula School, I attended Menlo Atherton High School and my brother attended Palo Alto High School. We were completely prepared and had extremely successful high school experiences. Both of us receiving nearly perfect 4.0 all four years. We excelled academically, socially and in sports teams. Peninsula School prepares a young person to think critically, to be responsible for their choices, to use time management skills, to question information and participate in social circles with trust and respect. I learned to challenge myself and in that I found success and mistakes; both of which helps a young person to grow. Communication skills, compassion, empathy, boundaries, responsibility, integrity, and intellectual stimulation were all main themes throughout my 10 years at Peninsula School. By the time I got to High School I was confident and trusted myself to make good choices, and also had the comfort and ease to ask questions of peers, teachers and counselors when I felt I needed guidance. Beyond the incredible academic knowledge, Peninsula School offers amazing extracurricular classes such as, wood shop, pottery, weaving, cooking, theater, music, multi-media art and so much more. Learning through play. Camping Trips are part of each grade's curriculum. Developmental growth of each child individually is nurtured. I return often to visit and feel so grateful that I was part of Peninsula School for so long. Also, the first Sunday of each May is the Peninsula School Spring Fair, where you get a close up look at many creative experiences and you can participate in them as well. Bring family and friends! read more

This is a fabulous school. Kids are treated with a level of respect rarely seen these days. They are acknowledged as individuals and as a vital part of the community. This isn't the place for every kid or every parent. If you believe in progressive education, dislike standardized testing, and can embrace a non-competitive, non-authoritarian academic environment, then it's worth your serious consideration. Keep in mind: the school starts its annual admissions process in October for the following year. It's extremely difficult to be admitted due to the school's popularity and small size (about 25 students per grade level - although they don't always group by age or grade level; most classes are mixed.) To get a sense of the place, visit their annual Spring Fair or Craft Fair, which are child-focused, family-friendly events. I've been going to these events since I was a child; now I'm a Peninsula parent, and glad of it. It's a lot of fun to talk with graduates of this school; they're engaging and well-spoken, with a good sense of who they are and what they're hoping to do with their lives. Peninsula School truly is an amazing place. . read more