Educational Philosophy

Palo Alto Preparatory School focuses on engaging, challenging, and inspiring students in the Bay Area to discover their potential. Our academic support focuses on each student’s growth, and measures it. We believe that every one of our students can attend college. Private school academics are meant to provide a well-rounded education based on the student’s need to master a core curriculum and apply it to real problems. With a student to teacher ratio under 8:1, teachers can work with an individual student, within a small group, or with a whole class.

Teaching Methodology

Using a variety of teaching methods, we stimulate curiosity, invite participation, challenge assumptions and address current world issues. Our teaching staff adapts to individual learning styles and keeps students interested and motivated. Using visual, auditory and kinesthetic techniques, we help students overcome limitations and obstacles. The youth of the Bay Area deserve the best education available, and private school academics can help them realize their goals. 

Grading & Awards

Palo Alto Prep is on a semester system and uses a standard A to F grading scale. Course grades are based on several components: attendance, homework, classwork, quiz and exam grades, papers, projects and a final examination. Our intention is to reinforce areas of strength while building confidence and competence in areas needing improvement.

School Support

We offer an online grading system where current assignments and attendance are updated daily, so that students can see and access their assignments even when they are home sick. Parents and students can check their updated grades weekly.

Staff meet weekly to review the academic, interpersonal, and intrapersonal progress of each student. We develop and revise programs based on student need. Personalized insights and successful strategies quickly proliferate among the staff as we adapt our environment to each student.

All are guided through our system of accommodations in their study skills classes, where they are taught to manage their internal state, advocate for their needs, and prioritize their tasks. All classes are a fraction the size of both public and private schools, allowing students to naturally have access to more individual time in class.

While optional, many students choose to stay for staff office-hours from 3:15-4:00. For each student who stays on a regular basis, a mentor teacher is assigned. The teacher helps the student organize their work, tutors, and assists in creating a game-plan to catch a student up on past material.

At Palo Alto Prep, we combine innate, systemic academic support for all with adaptive systems that respond to detected needs. 

Call:  (650) 493-7071
Changing Lives, Redefining Education