College Preparatory School in San Francisco Bay Area

Eastside College Preparatory School, Palo Alto:
Eastside College Preparatory School is an independent, co-educational, college preparatory school providing middle school & high school education in East Palo Alto in San Mateo County, CA. Our school serves students from populations that are historically under-represented in higher education. We serve families throughout the Palo Alto, Redwood and Menlo Park communities. Every student at Eastside receives financial aid. At Eastside, the school day begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends, officially, at 5:00 p.m., though many students choose to stay on campus into the evening to study and complete their homework assignments. In between are classes, lunch, more classes, and afternoon tutorial. Students also enjoy a wide choice of electives, clubs, and sports. A spirit of enthusiasm and camaraderie pervades the campus – students work hard during the extended school day, but they also have fun.

Middle School Program:
The Middle School offers our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders a challenging yet supportive environment – one that gives them a solid background in the skills and study habits that will allow them to succeed in high school and beyond. The comprehensive curriculum in the Middle School emphasizes – in addition to the basic skills of reading, writing, language, math, and science – responsibility, hard work, and the benefits of a college education.

Special programs in reading and the environmental sciences broaden our students' understanding of the world they will soon inherit.

Upper School Program:
We offer our high school students a rich, rigorous college preparatory curriculum designed to sharpen study skills and critical thinking abilities, as they discover and develop their special interests and talents.

Students are untracked with the exception of native language designation and math, for which tracking is based on entering algebra preparation. Each required course is certified to fulfill one of the University of California's entrance requirements. Upon graduation, all Eastside students have at a minimum taken the necessary course work for admission to the University of California.

Core subjects include English, math, social studies, Spanish, science and physical education.

In addition to the core curriculum, Eastside offers a variety of electives, as well as sports:
Computer science, drama, basketball, journalism, piano, soccer, yearbook, band, volleyball and many more.

Summer Programs:
Eastside encourages all students to be active each summer. Incoming freshmen attend our Summer Bridge Program to get a running start on the coming academic year. Seniors attend Senior Summer Institute to prepare for the college application process. Students from other grades participate in a variety of enrichment activities or professional opportunities that will enhance their life experience and college success.

The Arts:
Eastside has a rich and expanding arts program. Our Center for the Arts is in continuous use throughout the school day, and includes a theater, dance studio, art studio, and a darkroom.

Athletics:
At Eastside we believe that participating in sports gives students a chance to enjoy the satisfaction that comes from feeling fit, the rewards of acquiring new skills, and the life lessons gained from being part of a close-knit team. Students take physical education class throughout middle school. In the High School, a fitness and conditioning elective includes work-outs and nutrition counseling designed to give students the tools to lead healthy and fit lives.

Eastside students also compete in competitive sports. We field teams in:  Basketball, volleyball, soccer and track and field.