MENLO SCHOOL • SINCE 1915

Student Life

Events, Clubs, & Traditions

Opportunities to explore, play, lead, and learn.

Traditions and Celebrations

From Homecoming parades and lively spirit competitions on the Quad to dances and the joyful holiday assembly, there are many ways for students to have fun, celebrate community, and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Assembly

Students gather for weekly assemblies that provide a forum for the sharing of ideas and information among students, faculty, and administrators—and a chance to have fun as a community. The program also brings various artists, writers, musicians, educators as well as political and business leaders to the campus. In addition, students and faculty members make assembly presentations related to topics of personal or community interest. The entire School gathers together every December for an All-School celebration of holiday music.

Retreats

Creating bonding experiences for our students is central to creating life-long friendships. Grade-level retreats are a core part of this experience and Menlo kicked off the new school year with retreats for ALL grade levels. Students build trust, feel safe, take risks, and come back to campus individually and collectively stronger than when they left. Eighth graders spend an unforgettable week-long trip to Washington, DC. Sixth graders enjoy time to bond with their new classmates during field day and Upper School Freshman attend a special day-long orientation before school begins.  

Guest Speakers

Dr. Richard Antoine White visits Menlo

Menlo regularly invites special guest speakers to the campus. Guests have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, CEO of YouTube Susan Wojcicki, Navy Seal Lieutenant Patrick Dosset, author Richard Dawkins, author Tobias Wolfe, author Reza Aslan, actress Anna O’Reiley, Dr. Nancy Snyderman and Dr. Richard Antoine White.

Student Government

Student Council plays a crucial role in providing students with a platform to voice their opinions and actively participate in the school community. In the Upper School, Student Council members are integral to the School’s Curriculum Committee, Judicial Committee, and the Menlo School Parents Association (MSPA). They are elected both at the school-wide level and within each class. Meanwhile, in the Middle School, students elect advocacy representatives who form the Middle School Student Council, presided over by a student president and other officers. This Council convenes weekly with the Middle School Director or Assistant Director to organize school activities, community meeting programs, and peer leadership initiatives.

Clubs

A vital clubs program, developed and initiated by students, continues to thrive. From community service to robotics, from beekeeping to Model UN, Menlo offers clubs for all interests and passions.

 

 

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Opportunities to explore, play, lead, and learn.

Traditions and Celebrations

From Homecoming parades and lively spirit competitions on the Quad to dances and the joyful holiday assembly, there are many ways for students to have fun, celebrate community, and build friendships that will last a lifetime.

Assembly

Students gather for weekly assemblies that provide a forum for the sharing of ideas and information among students, faculty, and administrators—and a chance to have fun as a community. The program also brings various artists, writers, musicians, educators as well as political and business leaders to the campus. In addition, students and faculty members make assembly presentations related to topics of personal or community interest. The entire School gathers together every December for an All-School celebration of holiday music.

Retreats

Creating bonding experiences for our students is central to create life-long friendships. Students in sixth and seventh grade attend two-day class retreats. Eighth graders spend an unforgettable week-long trip to Washington, DC. Upper School Freshman attend a special day-long orientation before school begins and enjoy an overnight on the Quad during the fall. In the spring, the class also participates in an overnight to Santa Cruz. Sophomores and juniors will enjoy retreats starting in the 2021-2022 school year, while seniors participate in a two-day off-campus retreat, where they work on an advanced ropes course and take part in an emotional and uplifting “web” activity.

Guest Speakers

Menlo regularly invites special guest speakers to the campus. Recent guests have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, CEO of YouTube Susan Wojcicki, Navy Seal Lieutenant Patrick Dosset, author Richard Dawkins, author Tobias Wolfe, author Reza Aslan, actress Anna O’Reiley, and Dr. Nancy Snyderman.

Student Government

In the Upper School, the Student Council is a forum in which students can express their points of view and be heard within the School community. Student Council members sit on the School’s Curriculum Committee, the Judicial Committee and the Menlo School Parents Association (MSPA). Officers are elected for the entire student body as well as each Class.

In the Middle School, students elect advocacy representatives to a Middle School Student Council led by a student president and other officers. The Council meets weekly with the Middle School Director or Assistant Director and plans School activities, community meeting programs, and peer leadership activities.

Middle School Clubs

Athletic Media Production
Board Games
Book Club
Brain Teasers
Diversity Club
Frisbee
Fun Picks
K*NEX
Knight Lights Dance
Macrame Crafts
Menlo Tech Genius Bar
Mexican Train & Dominos
Mindful Coloring and Origami
Ping-Pong
Poetry Slam
Sixth and Seventh Grade Girls’ Glee
Student Council
Visual Arts
Yearbook Design

After School Clubs
Debate Club and Teams
Golden Knight: Middle School Newspaper
MathCounts
Orchestra
7th and 8th Robotics

Upper School Clubs

From community service to robotics, from beekeeping to Model UN, Menlo offers clubs for all interests and passions. See the current list of Upper School clubs here. And, if you there isn’t one that suits you, start your own!

From global travel to service learning to M-Term, learn about other unique-to-Menlo programs here.