How to Get Into Mid-Peninsula High School: Insider Admissions Strategies

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Is Mid-Peninsula High School a Good School?

Located in Menlo Park, California, Mid-Peninsula High School feels more like a boutique brain spa than a traditional high school. With sweeping views of the Golden Gate Bridge and a student body that actually wants to learn, Mid-Pen is where curiosity, creativity, and community intersect.

This independent high school serves grades 9 through 12 and enrolls around 400 students. It’s known for an innovative block schedule, interdisciplinary courses, and a commitment to inquiry-based learning. Think fewer pop quizzes and more “Why does this matter?” conversations.

Founded in 2004, Mid-Pen isn’t weighed down by dusty traditions or clunky hierarchies. Instead, it’s student-centered, equity-driven, and focused on making education meaningful in the 21st century. Whether your teen is a coder, poet, activist, or all of the above, there’s a place for them here—and probably a club, too.

Student Diversity

How hard is it to get into Mid-Peninsula High School?

Compared to ultra-competitive Mid-Pen Area private schools, Mid-Pen is more about fit than filtering. While it’s not about being “hard” to get into, the school is selective in the best way—it’s looking for students who will benefit from a close-knit, flexible learning environment.

Each application is carefully reviewed to ensure Mid-Pen is the right place for your student to learn and grow. They’re not hunting for perfection—they’re looking for potential. So, if your child is ready for a community that values authenticity over GPAs, Mid-Pen might be just the right match.

What’s The Mid-Peninsula High School Admissions Process

Mid-Pen’s admissions process is personal, thoughtful, and refreshingly straightforward. Here’s how it typically flows:

  1. Create a Ravenna Account
  2. Attend an Open House
  3. Tour the Campus
  4. Schedule a Student Visit
  5. Submit Transcripts and Recommendations
  6. Complete and Submit the Application
  7. Wait for the Admissions Decision

What Are Mid-Peninsula High School’s Admission Requirements

Getting into Mid-Peninsula High School isn’t about checking boxes—it’s about showing who you are (and maybe having a little fun along the way). Here’s what you need to do:

Request Teacher Recommendations for Mid-Peninsula Admissions

Mid-Pen asks for recommendations from two current teachers who can speak to your child’s academic skills, personality, and potential. The admissions team loves real insight—not generic compliments—so choose teachers who truly know your student.

Pro tips:

  • Ask early and ask kindly.
  • Choose teachers from core subjects when possible.
  • A quick thank-you note after? Always classy.

Submit Transcripts and Academic Records: Key Factors for Mid-Pen Applications

Mid-Pen reviews recent school records to understand where your student’s been—and where they’re going. They’re looking for effort, progress, and context, not perfection. If you’re worried your transcript doesn’t scream “future Nobel Prize winner,” don’t stress. Growth and curiosity count big time.

Mid-Peninsula Parent/Guardian Statement

Parents, this one’s for you. Mid-Pen team wants to hear from the people who know the applicant best (and have been making lunches and attending school plays for years). Through a few short questions on Ravenna, you’ll get the chance to talk about your child’s strengths, quirks, passions, and how your family aligns with Mid-Pen’s community vibe.

Keep it real, keep it warm, and don’t forget—you’re not writing a college thesis here.

Standardized Testing (SSAT and ISEE) for Mid-Peninsula Admissions

Here’s where it gets interesting: Mid-Peninsula High School is test-optional. That means your SSAT or ISEE scores are welcome, but not required. If you’ve got results that make you proud, go ahead and submit them. If not? Totally fine. Your creativity, drive, and curiosity speak for themselves.

Thinking about submitting scores to Mid-Peninsula High School?

We’ve got you. Whether you’re knee-deep in ISEE prep, mastering vocab for SSAT prep, or hunting down an ISEE practice test or SSAT practice test that doesn’t feel like it was written in 1982, we can help you gear up and feel confident. Even if you don’t end up submitting scores, the skills you’ll gain from prep are worth it.

Mid-Peninsula High School Admissions Interviews

This is a conversation, not a quiz. Your child will meet with someone from the admissions team, either virtually or in person, to chat about goals, interests, and why Mid-Pen might be a good fit. Parents are invited too. Think of it as an invitation to get curious—not a pop quiz.

They’re looking for authenticity—so if your student is obsessed with urban planning or has memorized the entire Hamilton soundtrack, that’s fair game. Parents may get a separate virtual session too, where they can ask questions and soak up the school’s vibe.

Tips to shine in the interview:

  • Be curious.
  • Be yourself.
  • Don’t over-rehearse. This isn’t Broadway. Unless you’re applying for drama club—then, by all means, break a leg.

What Is Student Life Like At Mid-Peninsula High School 

Mid-Pen’s student life is rooted in community and connection. It’s the kind of school where kids feel seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.

Mid-Peninsula High School Education Approach

Core Academic Programs

Mid-Pen’s approach to academics is less about memorizing dates for a test and more about making sense of the world. It’s a college-prep curriculum, but without the cookie-cutter pace. Classes are intentionally small—think 6 to 10 students—so teachers can tailor lessons to fit each learner like a well-worn hoodie. Students move at their own speed, build confidence, and are encouraged to take risks. Got a math whiz ready for something more advanced? Honors-level courses are right there. Need extra time to master a tricky concept? No problem. Progress is the goal, not perfection.

Electives and Enrichment Opportunities

Here’s where things get fun. Mid-Pen students explore hands-on electives that feel less like school and more like discovery. Whether they’re writing short stories that could rival Netflix scripts, filming their own documentaries, or investigating the wonders of the natural world in environmental science, there’s no shortage of ways to stretch those creative and critical thinking muscles.

Mid-Pen doesn’t believe in stuffing students into academic boxes—it opens the lid and says, “Go ahead, build your own.”

Visual & Performing Arts at Mid-Peninsula

At Mid-Pen, the arts aren’t a side dish—they’re a full-course meal. Students can dive into painting, drawing, digital art, ceramics, and theater without the pressure of auditions or judgments. The vibe is high-energy but totally low-pressure. It’s a space where students can express themselves freely, whether they’re sketching bold visions or stepping onto the stage for a school production.

Regular showcases and exhibitions give students the spotlight—sometimes literally—and help them build the confidence to share their work with the community. You’ll find creativity buzzing in every corner of campus, sometimes with glitter involved.

Athletics: What Sports Does Mid-Peninsula High School Offer?

Fall Sports Winter Sports Spring Sports
Boys & Girls Cross Country Boys Basketball Girls Varsity Track & Field
Girls Varsity Volleyball Girls Basketball Boys Varsity Track & Field
Girls JV Volleyball Boys Varsity Volleyball
Co-ed Soccer   Co-ed Tennis

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Did You Know?

Mid-Peninsula High School was founded by educators and psychologists who believed traditional schools weren’t cutting it for every learner.

Client Testimonial

“Cardinal Education gave us the tools and confidence we needed to navigate the Mid-Pen admissions process. The support was thoughtful, and the results speak for themselves.”

Mother of 8th grader

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