Not Just Fun and Games

AdvOlympics continued its focus on the Habits of Heart and Mind while making time for everyday fun. From jump rope to octopus races, students built community through simple activities that brought plenty of smiles.

No Superhero Arrives Fully Formed

At Menlo’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. assembly, Stanford historian and author Dr. Lerone Martin encouraged students to see Dr. King not simply as a historic icon but as a young person who grew into leadership through commitment and perseverance. As Martin reminded students, “He didn’t arrive on this earth knowing that he would be who he was...he just decided to remain committed.” Read the full article here.

Drawing Inspiration

Middle School French, Latin, and mixed media students visited the Legion of Honor, where they explored the galleries and sketched details from their favorite works. The experience connected art, language, and culture in a new way.

Mind over Matter

Upper School anatomy students explored the nervous system firsthand by dissecting sheep brains. The lab gave students a close-up look at brain anatomy and the relationship between structure and function.

Fix It Fridays

Through “Fix It Fridays,” Sustainable Engineering students repaired, rebuilt, and gave old items new life, gaining hands-on engineering experience while exploring how sustainability could take shape in everyday life.

Water Slide Weather The Middle School beat the heat on a balmy spring afternoon by turning the Quad into a water park

Making the Case

Menlo’s Mock Trial team competed at the county competition, demonstrating careful preparation, persuasive argumentation, and strong teamwork in a real courtroom setting.

Building New Connections

A new Upper School buddy program brought students across grade levels together for games, conversation, and advice. The first buddy advocacy gave students an opportunity to strengthen connections across the School.

Thinking in Systems

Catalyst students visited the California Academy of Sciences, where the rainforest dome offered a powerful lesson in interconnected systems. The experience helped students connect classroom learning with real-world leadership.

Bringing down the House

The Athletics Center was full of energy during the annual House Competition Assembly. From quirky challenges to a soccer shootout finale, students cheered on their houses as Lapolla claimed this year’s championship.

Backstage Pass

Broadway performer D. Jerome, currently touring as the Tin Man in The Wiz, led a dance workshop and shared songs, stories, and career advice with Middle School students during a lively campus visit.

Good Vibes

Nearly 70 Middle and Upper School students participated in Menlo’s inaugural Vibe Coding Hackathon, designing AI-powered apps focused on solving real-world challenges, from reducing food waste to supporting mental health.

A Storied Time

After writing and designing interactive books for children ages two to four, sixth graders visited Menlo’s daycare to share their stories. The collaboration brought together knowledge from English and Design Engineering & Computer Science classes in a joyful way.

Easy As Pi

With Pi Day falling during spring break, Middle School students celebrated a day early. Pie eating, circle drawing, reciting digits of pi from memory, and eating pizza for lunch made for a mathematically delicious tradition.

Making a Splash

Warm spring weather called for a little extra fun as Middle School students cooled off with a slip-and-slide on the Quad.

Celebrating Our Community

During Unity Week, students shared traditions, stories, and perspectives through Middle and Upper School expos, lunchtime activities, and special events that celebrated the many cultures and experiences within the Menlo community.

Meet the Makers

Students from classes such as Furniture Design, Engineering, Physics, and Neuroscience showcased their creativity and innovation at Makerpalooza, with projects ranging from Tesla coils and wind turbines to original furniture designs and neuroscience research.

The Power of Many

“The value of collective action, of being in community with one another, is at the heart of this. It is at the heart of lifting up the voices of young people.” That message from climate justice leader and artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez set the tone for EcoAct Week as he encouraged students to recognize the power of working together to create meaningful change.

Bee Our Guest

Sixth graders researched beneficial insects, designed and built bug hotels, installed them in the Middle School garden, and even created commercials to promote their tiny habitats.

A Win for Everyone

Menlo welcomed athletes from Special Olympics Northern California for this year’s Menlo Games. Students, parents, and volunteers came together to cheer on competitors and celebrate a day of sportsmanship, connection, and joy.

One Last Refrain

Middle School students honored retiring music teacher Liz Bongiorno with a heartfelt performance of “Count on Me,” led by Ms. Barad, celebrating her many years of inspiring and guiding young musicians.