The School’s vision for the Menlo Commons was to create a heart of our campus that would support our values and mission as a School now as well as 25 years from now. The School sought to create spaces for kids that foster community building and collaboration and strengthen the relationships between adults and students that are at the center of a Menlo education.

“Seeing this vision come to fruition is awe-inspiring. I’m thrilled to see the way the spaces reflect the ideas of our faculty, staff, and students, who spent time really thinking about what a building to serve Menlo for the next 25 years might look like,” says Head of School Than Healy.

“As we worked through the planning process for the Commons, we envisioned it becoming the heart and soul of the campus, and we’ve built exactly that—a place where our students have places to eat delicious, nutritious food together as well as work, play, relax, and, most of all, connect with their friends,” says Dean of Students Tony Lapolla.

Librarian Cathy Rettberg adds, “We sought to design a library that allows students to find their perfect space, with a mix of quiet areas, collaborative work areas, hidden nooks, and places to relax.”

In the first few days of school, students have settled into the new digs and seem to be enjoying all the Commons has to offer. “For the first time, Menlo has a gorgeous cafeteria, student center, and library all in one building at the center of campus…,” says Grant ’18. “I really think the new student center and cafeteria will strengthen the sense of togetherness that Menlo does so well to create.”

Keeton ’18 concurs, “There are so many more quiet places to study on campus this year, [and] I like that it keeps everyone more centralized around the new building and the Quad. Everyone is closer together especially at lunchtime.”