A Small Message, A Big Impact

Sixth graders were greeted with a heartfelt welcome from Menlo seventh graders, reminding them that they belong at Menlo. A small message carried big encouragement as they settled into their new community.

Win-Win

AdvOlympics returned as a joyful Middle School tradition centered on teamwork and encouragement. It reminded students that cheering each other on is what truly makes a community strong.

Lucky Thirteen

The 13th annual Peninsula Bridge Fun Run delivered sunshine, smiles, and strong community spirit. Students, families, and supporters came together for a day that celebrated connection and purpose.

A Knightly Welcome

Senior ambassadors welcomed the Class of 2029 with cheers, high-fives, and plenty of school spirit. It set the tone for a warm and memorable orientation to Menlo.

Ready to Catalyze!

The first semester of Menlo’s new Catalyst program has wrapped, and the second is now underway. Juniors launched the year with a three-day retreat blending adventure and reflection, from hiking Point Lobos to kayaking Monterey Bay. By term’s end, students are fluent in systems thinking and move forward with deeper trust in themselves as leaders and problem solvers, and with new connections rooted in shared challenge and purpose.

Sound Like a Broken Record

Eighth grade scientists investigated how sound travels by transforming simple materials into a working speaker. By hearing vibrations come to life, students experienced physics in a tangible and surprising way.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latinos Unidos Expo brought music, food, and community together in a vibrant celebration of Hispanic culture. The Quad buzzed with connection, pride, and shared joy.

Carving out Some Fun!

Ninth graders put their artistic flair on display during an advocacy pumpkin carving contest. The results ranged from spooky to silly, with creativity taking center stage.

Le Mot Nouveau

Madame Chung’s Advanced Topics French students explored the Orphism art movement by creating and presenting original works entirely in French. The project connected language, history, and creativity in a truly immersive way.

Frightfully Fun

Halloween assemblies brought costumes, laughter, and just the right amount of spooky energy. The celebrations were a playful highlight of the season for students and faculty alike.

Built to Decompose. Designed to Matter.

Upper School Design students completed a human-centered design project focused on accessibility for older adults. After interviewing seniors and building improved remote-control prototypes, students packaged their designs using custom, compostable mycelium materials and shipped them back to the original participants. Sustainable, thoughtful, and purpose-driven from start to finish.

Puppies and Pancakes

The Menlo Parent Association’s Random Act of Fun brought smiles to the Loop with a surprise dose of sweetness. A simple moment of fun brightened the morning for students and faculty alike.

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

In November, student leaders in both the Middle and Upper School organized activities to mark Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, a national day inspired by civil rights pioneer Ruby Bridges, who in 1960, at age six, became one of the first Black students to integrate New Orleans public schools. The activities invited students to engage in dialogue about kindness, courage, respect, and inclusion, and featured a Middle School walk around campus and an Upper School walk from Menlo Park to campus.

Cracking the Code

Middle School Design Engineering and Computer Science students tackled the Escape Room Project by designing cryptography puzzles from scratch. Working through the full design process, teams created challenges clever enough to unlock a real lockbox.

A Staff-Student Showdown

The annual Students vs. Faculty and Staff Volleyball Game delivered spirited rallies and plenty of smiles. Faculty and staff defended their title for a second year in front of a supportive crowd on the Quad.

Wisdom Across Generations

Grandparents gathered with seniors for the Wisdom Sharing Tea, part of a senior English course inspired by Mary Oliver’s reflection on “one wild and precious life.” Tea and stories sparked thoughtful conversations about purpose, values, and what it means to live well.

All That Potential

Students explored energy transfer in dramatic fashion by loading watermelons with rubber bands. Potential energy turned kinetic, and the lesson ended with a very memorable splash.

Made from Scratch

Sixth grade computer science students built musical keyboards using fruit, vegetables, and Scratch programming. By combining conductive materials with digital code and even forming a human circuit, students discovered firsthand how hardware and software work together.

Twelve Days of Menlo

The Menlo community gathered in the gym for a joyous holiday assembly once more this year, with a showcase of the creativity of our student artists, a celebration of the multiple winter holiday traditions observed by our community members, and, of course, a rollicking rendition of “The Twelve Days.”