Menlo-Atherton High School

Menlo-Atherton High School. It is a comprehensive public secondary school located in Atherton, California, operating within the Sequoia Union High School District. The school serves students from Atherton, eastern Menlo Park, and portions of Redwood City and East Palo Alto. Known for its diverse student body and robust academic programs, it has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School and a California Distinguished School.

History

The institution was established in 1951 through the merger of two older schools, Menlo School and the former Atherton High School, consolidating resources within the growing Sequoia Union High School District. Its creation reflected the post-World War II population boom in San Mateo County and the broader San Francisco Peninsula. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the school navigated significant social changes, including the integration of students from the Ravenswood City School District following a 1986 court order in the case of *Tinsley v. Palo Alto Unified School District*. Major campus renovations and expansions have occurred periodically, with a significant modernization project completed in the early 21st century funded by local bond measures like Measure A.

Academics

The school offers a comprehensive curriculum including over 20 Advanced Placement courses and several International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme paths. It houses specialized career technical education pathways in partnership with the Silicon Valley Career Technical Education consortium, focusing on fields like biotechnology and engineering. Students consistently perform above state and national averages on standardized assessments such as the SAT and ACT. The school's performing arts department is highly regarded, with award-winning programs in instrumental music, theatre, and choral music, and it maintains a longstanding academic partnership with nearby Stanford University for research and mentorship opportunities.

Athletics

Athletic teams, known as the Menlo-Atherton Bears, compete in the Peninsula Athletic League of the Central Coast Section of the California Interscholastic Federation. The school has a strong tradition in football, winning multiple Central Coast Section championships, and in basketball, where teams have made deep runs in state tournaments. Other successful programs include wrestling, water polo, soccer, and track and field, with numerous individual athletes advancing to compete in the NCAA and at universities like the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Southern California.

Notable alumni

Alumni have achieved prominence across diverse fields. In technology and business, this includes former eBay CEO Meg Whitman and Netscape co-founder Jim Clark. In entertainment and the arts, alumni include actress Megan Follows, Disney animator Burny Mattinson, and Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Public service and journalism are represented by former United States Ambassador to Finland Earle Mack and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jacques Steinberg. The sports world counts National Football League players like Teyo Johnson and Olympic Games medalists such as swimmer Jeff Float among its graduates.

Campus and facilities

The 45-acre campus is situated in central Atherton, bordered by Middlefield Road and featuring a mix of original mid-century and modern architecture. Core facilities include the Performing Arts Center, a state-of-the-art STEM building, and the M-A Center, a large gymnasium complex. Athletic amenities encompass Raymond Field for football and soccer, a dedicated aquatics center, multiple tennis courts, and baseball and softball diamonds. The campus also hosts a student-run community garden and extensive library and media center resources.

Category:Public high schools in California Category:Educational institutions established in 1951 Category:Sequoia Union High School District