How To Get Into Menlo School: Your Ultimate Admissions Guide

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Overview: The Menlo Advantage

Located in Atherton, California, Menlo School is an independent, college-preparatory school that is rated in the top 20% of California’s high schools. There are roughly 800 pupils enrolled, with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1. The institution is renowned for its excellent academics and an extensive list of courses that help students get ready for higher education. Additionally, Menlo School offers distinctive programs, including Menlo Interdisciplinary and Personalized Scholars, Applied Science Research, and BioTech Research Program, that provide students with opportunities to explore other areas of learning. The school’s committed and highly qualified faculty encourages pupils to develop as rational thinkers and inquisitive learners. In addition to its academic program, Menlo School is renowned for its extracurricular athletic and artistic pursuits that foster a strong feeling of teamwork among students.

How hard is it to get into Menlo School?

Menlo School admission is highly selective, with an estimated acceptance rate of less than 10%. They accept only the best, most talented, and most diverse students.  There are many components considered in the evaluation of applicants. Aspiring students are not only assessed by their academic performance but also by their personal character, as demonstrated by their ability to express themselves through the interview and the recommendations from their teachers. The committee evaluates candidates based on academic transcripts, the Star Assessment, and proctored writing samples.  

Applying to Menlo is a personal journey as you get to reflect on how you have been performing academically and evaluate your values and goals in life. Your desire to get into Menlo demonstrates that you are ready to take on greater challenges. To become successful, you need to know what your strengths and weaknesses are to maximize your potential and improve in other areas. Our holistic admissions process will help take you to the next level by making sure that you are well-prepared. Our educational consultants will design a bespoke package that is built on your experiences, achievements, and interests.  

The Menlo School Admissions Process

The Menlo admissions process is managed by Ravenna. We recommend creating your account early to track the following milestones: 

1. Inquiry: Set up a Ravenna account and register for preview days.
2. Interview: Schedule a 30-minute student/parent interview.
3. Testing: Complete the Star Assessment and the Writing Sample.
4. Media: Submit the Kira application video.
5. Documentation: Request transcripts and delegate teacher recommendations.

Menlo School Application Requirements

Short Answer and Essays for Parents and Students

Menlo uses parent statements, personal statements, and admissions essays to assess communication skills and family values.

• Middle School: Parent essays (1500 chars) / Student essays (1200 chars).
• Upper School: Parent essays (1500 chars) / Student essays (3000 chars).

Pro-Tip: Don’t just list achievements. Use anecdotes to make your “Personal Statement” memorable. If writing is a challenge, our Program in Writing and Reading pairs students with professional tutors to craft powerful, authentic narratives.

Teacher Recommendations

Students applying to middle school are required to submit recommendation letters from their current fourth or fifth-grade teacher and another from the current principal or counselor. Students applying to upper school should submit recommendations from current teachers in English and math, as well as from the principal or counselor.

How do you get good recommendation letters? 

No matter how good a student you think you are, there could be dozens of other applicants with the same GPAs and level of performance in school, so your recommendation letters should set you apart from them. We have strategies in place that will surely secure good recommendations from your counselor, principal, and teachers. Our admissions consultants know exactly how to get good recommendation letters that will get admissions officers to notice your application.  

Pro-Tip: Don’t just ask for a “good” letter. Provide your teachers with a brag sheet highlighting your favorite projects in their class to help them write specific, high-impact stories about your character.

Transcript

Admissions officers would want to look at your grades from the previous academic year and also your grades for the first semester of the current year. Numbers matter a lot as they will reflect your scholastic abilities and your potential to handle the rigorous academics at Menlo School.

If you begin your private school admissions consulting early, our tutors and academic coaches will help you improve your grades to make sure you meet the requirements. We offer diagnostic tests and tutoring for various subjects, available in-person or online. But because we know that improving your grades will not guarantee your success, we offer a more holistic approach through academic coaching, where we teach students time management, organizational skills, note-taking skills, study skills, test-taking skills, and writing and reading strategies to make them capable of undertaking challenging tasks and performing well in class.

Pro-Tip: Begin tutoring early to boost grades and achieve consistency. 

Admissions Interview

Applicants and parents need to undergo the interview process, which may be done in person or online, and usually lasts for 30 minutes. 

How you carry yourself at the interview is an indicator of how well you will do at Menlo. Yes, they are interested in your academic performance, but they also want to see if you are a good fit for their culture and values. You will be asked about your background, experiences, interests, and goals, as well as the reasons why you want to study at Menlo. Your answers should be truthful and interesting. Personal anecdotes will be really helpful because they will give admissions officers a glimpse of you that is not in your application. Articulate your answers well and make sure you are answering the questions and not beating around the bush. Practice. Practice. Practice. 

Pro Tip: Interview preparation will help you gain confidence and answer questions meaningfully. 

Star Assessment

Menlo reinstates standardized testing this admissions cycle. Applicants are required to take the Star Assessment on campus. The test aims to measure a student’s academic abilities, especially in reading and math. 

Pro Tip: To get the best scores, let our test prep tutors guide you through the content and format of the Star Assessment. We have review materials available for your child to work on to become familiar with the test and feel confident on the actual testing day. 

Family Kira Video

Your family needs to answer several questions and record their responses in video format. To complete this requirement, you will need a laptop or desktop computer with a microphone and camera. The finished product will be sent through the Kira online platform. 

Pro-Tip: Make sure you are highlighting your strengths in the video and letting the admissions team know that you will be a positive addition to the community. To know how to craft honest, authentic, and favorable responses, contact us.  

Menlo School Famous Alumni

Many Menlo graduates have pursued different careers and become successful in their own respective fields. Some notable alumni from Menlo School include: 

Jon Beekhuis – a former American race car driver and current pit reporter for NBC Sports 

Mike Bordin – a professional drummer who played for Ozzy Osbourne and later on co-founded Faith No More

Allison Brennan, a recognized New York Times bestselling author of thrillers

Maria Fadiman, an ethnobotanist and named a National Geographic Society Emerging Explorer in 2006

Jon Fogarty – a professional racecar driver

Brad Greenspan – an internet entrepreneur who co-founded  Myspace

Gary Johnson – a veteran of the Anaheim Angels

Robbie Krieger – guitarist and songwriter for the famous band, The Doors

John Matteson – a biographer and 2008 Pulitzer Prize winner

Chris Paine is a filmmaker, writer,  and director.

John Paye, a former Stanford starting quarterback and basketball point guard, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.

Eric Reveno – a former Stanford basketball player and current Head Basketball Coach of the University of Portland.

Nick Woodman, the founder and CEO of GoPro.

Student Life at Menlo School

Menlo School is committed to the development of each child. Faculty and other staff go out of their way to build healthy and supportive relationships with students to create a community that provides a safe place to explore and grow as individuals. School counselors provide the emotional support teenagers need to ensure that they are able to handle the changes that happen in their lives as they experience the realities of life. Adults, teachers, coaches, counselors, and staff play significant roles in the lives of the students through the Advocacy Program and the Menlo Mentor Program. They serve as advocates, guides, facilitators, and mentors who provide support in all academic and social situations. No student is left behind and unsupported at Menlo.

Menlo School Academics

Menlo School provides a rigorous curriculum with diverse academic electives. The school offers a challenging academic program including courses in applied science and engineering, creative arts, history, social sciences, math, computer science, natural sciences, and world language. The Menlo Interdisciplinary and Personalized Scholars Program (Menlo IP) is for students who are interested in building and creating projects according to their interests. There are four fields of study in Menlo IP: Arts & Letters, Civic Leadership, Community Engagement, and Global Scholars.    The members of the faculty are highly qualified and experienced educators who encourage students to think critically and creatively. Menlo offers various co-curricular programs providing students with a well-rounded educational experience. There are also different electives, such as journalism, publication design, and computer science, that students can participate in to deepen their learning and develop their skills. 

Menlo School Clubs

There are plenty of activities that students can engage in where they learn and have fun outside of the classroom. Homecoming parades, student assemblies, and retreats build new friendships and strengthen relationships. There are various clubs and organizations where students can develop and improve their skills, such as the book club, debate club, robotics, Model UN, cooking club, K-Pop club, drama club, climate coalition, and many more. At Menlo, there is something for everyone. 

Regular activities and gatherings bring the students together to foster camaraderie and build friendships. The whole school community celebrates and has fun during Homecoming parades and festivals, where they get the chance to display their talents and ingenuity. Students spend time together during retreats where they form even deeper bonds as they discover and share experiences with one another. There is a variety of clubs of different interests for students to hone their skills and pursue their passions. 

Menlo School Athletics

At Menlo School, students get to participate in different athletic activities where they develop skills and learn sportsmanship. Menlo Knights, the most competitive varsity team in Northern California, has played and won different regionals and state championships over the years. Boys and girls have the opportunity to play basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming, tennis, track & field, volleyball, baseball, football, and water polo. Some students who are really excellent players get into prestigious colleges and universities through athletic recruitment. Menlo School football, Menlo School lacrosse, and Menlo School basketball are extremely famous among students.

Menlo School Arts

There is a wide range of creative art programs where students are able to hone their artistic skills and express themselves in various media. Students learn the basics and fundamentals of various art forms, both in the visual arts and the performing arts. As early as Middle School, they take part in different classes such as Visual Art, Chorus, Dance, Drama, and Music. In Upper School, they take more challenging and advanced classes in Vocal Music, Instrumental Music, Moviemaking, Photography, Animation, and Studio Art. All these experiences make Menlo students confident as they shine on stage.    

Ready to Start Your Menlo Journey?

Contact Cardinal Education today for a consultation on our bespoke admissions packages.