Why does the world need schools like Mid-Peninsula High School? Because the world needs every young person to grow into an accomplished adult—confident, creative, globally aware and eager to keep learning throughout life. This is the work we undertake here at Mid-Peninsula High School. A Unique Learning Community Founded in 1979, Mid-Peninsula High School is a co-ed high school for grades 9-12 characterized as a "community for learning" that maximizes each student's opportunities for success. At Mid-Peninsula, we recognize that education is not one-size-fits-all. Because some of the most creative and promising young people have learning styles that are individual and unique—and are not being met in traditional secondary schools—we signify a different approach to learning—one that is personalized according to each student's learning style, special needs and unique potential.
Mid-Peninsula is designed for adolescents with academic potential who can benefit from a smaller environment and a flexible, individually focused academic program. Students benefit from extensive guidance counseling, other support systems and their close relationships with their teachers—uniquely qualified educators who serve as instructors, mentors, coaches, counselors and role models. Mid-Peninsula High School is deeply committed to this highly personal form of education. Not only does our strong academic program prepare students for college, but Mid-Peninsula's progressive "whole-child" educational approach offers them the opportunities and skills to advance themselves—intellectually, socially, emotionally and ethically.
We strive to offer students every opportunity to explore and develop their talents, while understanding and working around each student's personal limitations. Other schools may make similar claims, but Mid-Peninsula takes pride in the fact that we consistently help our students find individual paths to achieve their personal best. Parent / Student Satisfaction Parents, students and teachers work together to strengthen relationships between the students, their families and the school. What we do here works. It is not surprising that Mid-Peninsula students and their parents readily endorse our school's youth-centric methodology and praise the benefits they receive from participating in our effective, integrated educational program. What Mid-Peninsula parents and students have to say...
" Mid-Peninsula is not your average learning institution. I came here to get to college, and I'm walking out with a self-awareness and self-reliance I couldn't have found any place else."
-Monique Lascola, Alumni "Our son is excited and proud of his achievement. He is looking forward to attending U.C. Santa Cruz next Fall. We sincerely believe that you saved his future in many ways."
-Senior Parent "Mid-Pen is a rare learning community where young people are respected for who they are, their unique creative talents and their individual profiles as people." -Beverly James, Alumni Parent
The Community as Teacher Through a conscious effort to eliminate student anxiety from expectations and to provide a solid base of comfort and security in which to learn and grow,Mid-Peninsula's atmosphere is relaxed. Students discover how to set and reach academic and personal goals. This is accomplished in a safe environment that fosters tolerance, kindness, confidence, responsibility, creativity and balance—all with respect to each student's educational, personal, spiritual, artistic and athletic goals.
Valuing collaboration along with individuality, Mid-Peninsula is a small and nurturing community where individual differences are respected and where young people forge close and supportive relationships with adults and each other. We are also a multicultural and diverse community—ethnically and socio-economically—with students and faculty coming together from many races, cultures, backgrounds and beliefs.
Students feel free to be themselves here. Even though most adolescents feel great pressure to conform, Mid-Peninsula strives to recognize students for who they are. It starts with the student-teacher relationship, which models personal concern, mutual responsibility and equality. Classes feel like discussions among equals. Ideas are welcomed. Opinions are treated with respect. Beyond our curriculum and guidance counseling, Mid-Peninsula students are enriched by participating in team sports, art, music, drama, spirit days, seasonal celebrations, peer counseling, peer tutoring and community service. Core: The Heart of Our Program Each Mid-Peninsula student is assigned a "Core Teacher," who serves as academic advisor, guidance counselor, advocate, community builder and family contact. Core meets every day, giving students an opportunity to set goals, develop their learning styles, strategize with their teachers about progress toward graduation, think about life beyond Mid-Peninsula and obtain support, counsel, information and referrals. Core Teachers are students' true partners in learning. Serving the Community and Wider World Community Service is a key component of the Mid-Peninsula philosophy. Students spend significant hours every term choosing and executing ways in which they will serve their communities. Previous projects include student-run food and clothing drives, working in local soup kitchens, working with the developmentally disabled, tutoring at-risk kids, participating in environmental cleanups and more. Toward Graduation and Beyond More than 90% of Mid-Peninsula graduates go on to college. In addition, some of our graduates have pursued goals outside conventional education with the help of their Core Teachers, achieving success in fine and performing arts, technology, vocational arts, small business careers and other sectors. |
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