Peninsula School
Peninsula School is an independent, nonprofit PK-8 progressive school in Menlo Park, California, serving Bay Area families with a child-centered curriculum based on Francis Parker, John Dewey, and Maria Montessori, plus specialist studios, camping, summer, and childcare programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1925
- HeadquartersMenlo Park, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Peninsula School does
Peninsula School is an independent, nonprofit (501(c)(3)) preschool-through-8th-grade progressive school located on a 6.6-acre wooded campus at 920 Peninsula Way in Menlo Park, California. Founded in 1925 by Josephine and Frank Duveneck and operating continuously since, it serves approximately several hundred Bay Area students ages 3-14 across three divisions (Preschool ages 3-4, Lower School K-4, Middle School 5-8) plus auxiliary childcare, summer camp, and after-school enrichment programs. The school's pedagogy is rooted in the progressive education principles of Francis Parker, John Dewey, and Maria Montessori, delivered through a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio, average class sizes of 18-21, ten specialist teachers running dedicated studios (art, science, woodshop, clay, weaving, library, PE, music), the multi-age Choice Program, and an annual camping program averaging ten trips and forty-five overnights. The institution also operates a 6.6-acre natural campus and an 18-member community-elected Board of Directors (five appointed, thirteen elected).
Peninsula School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Peninsula School
- Legal name
- Peninsula School Ltd. of Menlo Park, CA
- Website
- https://peninsulaschool.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1925
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Peninsula School is an independent, nonprofit PK-8 progressive school in Menlo Park, California, serving Bay Area families with a child-centered curriculum based on Francis Parker, John Dewey, and Maria Montessori, plus specialist studios, camping, summer, and childcare programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Peninsula School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private K-8 Education
- NAICS
- Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools (EDAJABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM)
Keywords
Where Peninsula School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Menlo Park
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Peninsula School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Tuition Revenue: Primary revenue stream from tuition payments for preschool through 8th grade education. Tuition rates for 2026-2027 range from $24,850 for half-day 5-day preschool to $35,680 for full-day preschool, with K-8 rates also available.
- Annual Giving Campaign: Annual Giving Campaign (AGC) donations contribute 5-6% to the operating budget annually. Supports progressive education programs, staff compensation, campus maintenance, and tuition assistance for approximately 25% of students.
- Endowment & Trust Fund: Endowment established in 1970, currently over $1 million, providing substantial annual contributions to support school operations.
- Raise Your Paddle: Annual fundraising initiative for specific restricted purposes, typically held in spring associated with Community Party. Has supported tuition assistance, staff wellness, and building projects.
- 8th Grade Commemorative Fund: Endowed fund created by families of graduating eighth graders to support school's commitment to affordability and accessibility.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Half Day 5 Days a Week Preschool |
| Subscription | Annual | 3 Half Days plus 2 Full Days Preschool |
| Subscription | Annual | 2 Half Days plus 3 Full Days Preschool |
| Subscription | Annual | Full Day Preschool |
| Subscription | Annual | Kindergarten, Primary, and Middle School |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Peninsula School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Peninsula School is an independent progressive preschool-through-8th-grade school delivering child-centered education on a 6.6-acre wooded campus in Menlo Park, California. Its core academic offering spans three program divisions (Preschool ages 3-4, Lower School K-4th, Middle School 5th-8th) integrated with a daily Specialist Program in dedicated studios for Art, Science, Clay, Woodshop, Weaving, Library, Music, and Physical Education, augmented by an annual Camping Program and a student-driven Choice Program. Tuition-based enrollment is supported by Flexible Tuition, Auxiliary Childcare and Enrichment programs, Summer at Peninsula summer camp, and development fundraising through the Annual Giving Campaign.
Product overview
Peninsula School is a PK-8 independent progressive school offering a unified educational program centered on child-centered learning, play, choice, and social justice. The core program consists of three divisions: Preschool (ages 3-4), Lower School (K-4th), and Middle School (5th-8th), all integrated with a daily Specialist Program featuring dedicated studios for Art, Science, Woodshop, Clay, Weaving, Library, Music, and Physical Education. Auxiliary services include Childcare (before/after school), Summer at Peninsula (summer camp), and Enrichment Program (after-school classes). The school supports families through the Ravenna Portal for admissions, Finalsite Enrollment for tuition/billing, and Clarity for flexible tuition applications. Fundraising is coordinated through the Annual Giving Campaign.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Preschool Program Play-based preschool program for children ages 3-4, featuring emergent learning curriculum, mixed-age classrooms, social-emotional development, and gentle transitions to kindergarten. Offered in multiple schedule tiers (half-day 5-day, 3 half-days + 2 full-days, 2 half-days + 3 full-days, full-day) at 2026-2027 tuition ranging from $24,850 to $35,680.
- Lower School Program (K-4th) Progressive education program for kindergarten through 4th grade emphasizing inquiry-based learning, social-emotional development, literacy, math, science, and preparation for increasing independence. Full-day program with class sizes averaging 18-21 and a 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
- Middle School Program (5th-8th) Experiential program for grades 5-8 featuring Humanities, Math, Science, Spanish, the Choice Program, camping trips, and preparation for high school through student-led learning. Graduates matriculate to Bay Area high schools including Menlo Atherton, TIDE Academy, Design Tech High School, Mid-Peninsula, and Sequoia.
- Specialist Program Daily activity program offering K-8 students choices in Art, Science, Woodshop, Clay, Weaving, Library, PE, and Music taught by 10 specialist teachers in dedicated studios on the 6.6-acre wooded campus.
- Childcare Program Before and after-school childcare for enrolled Peninsula students offering supervised play, enrichment, and supervision during extended hours on school days, registered through the Homeroom platform.
- Summer at Peninsula Three- or six-week summer camp experience for children entering K-8, offering classes in arts, sciences, sports, and creative activities on the Menlo Park campus.
- Enrichment Program After-school enrichment classes for enrolled students featuring arts, crafts, science, and sports, offered in three sessions throughout the school year.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7:1 student-to-teacher ratio enhances authentic academic and social-emotional growth
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Peninsula School
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Peninsula School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature3 records
Peninsula School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)coreNAIS membership provides accreditation support, professional development resources, conference participation, and access to industry research for independent schools. Peninsula School staff attend the NAIS annual conference for professional growth.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Peninsula School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Waldorf School of the Peninsula: Bay Area progressive/Waldorf PK-8 school with a similar child-centered, nature-oriented pedagogy. Most direct comparable in terms of progressive educational philosophy and Bay Area family target market.
- Synapse School: Bay Area PK-8 progressive school emphasizing project-based learning, social-emotional development, and innovation. Closely aligned with Peninsula's progressive education philosophy and target demographic.
- Phillips Brooks School: Independent PK-8 school in Menlo Park with similar progressive, child-centered mission. Most direct local competitor for Peninsula families.
- Black Pine Circle School: Independent K-8 progressive school in Berkeley with similar progressive curriculum, intimate class sizes, and commitment to whole-child development. Comparable in pedagogy and program structure.
- Berkeley Rose School: Independent progressive K-8 school in the Bay Area with a Waldorf-influenced approach. Comparable in program design, geography, and target families.
- Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto: Alternative K-8 school in Palo Alto offering progressive, values-based education. Comparable small-scale, child-centered model in the same Bay Area market.
- Sand Hill School: Independent PK-8 school in the Bay Area focused on serving students with learning differences. Closely comparable in scale, geography, and non-traditional pedagogical approach.
- Children's Day School (San Francisco): Independent PK-8 progressive school in San Francisco with similar commitment to social justice, DEI, and progressive pedagogy. Comparable in mission, scale, and tuition band.
Others
- NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools): Industry association that Peninsula School holds membership with. Provides accreditation, benchmarking, and professional development frameworks for similar institutions.
Regional players
- Menlo Park Presbyterian Children's Center / local Menlo Park preschools: Religious-affiliated early childhood programs in the same Menlo Park micro-market. Operate in a similar geographic segment competing for preschool-age families, though anchored to a different educational philosophy.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Peninsula School social profiles
Digital presencePeninsula School compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Peninsula School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Peninsula School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Peninsula School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Peninsula School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Peninsula School
What does Peninsula School do?
Peninsula School is an independent progressive preschool-through-8th-grade school delivering child-centered education on a 6.6-acre wooded campus in Menlo Park, California. Its core academic offering spans three program divisions (Preschool ages 3-4, Lower School K-4th, Middle School 5th-8th) integrated with a daily Specialist Program in dedicated studios for Art, Science, Clay, Woodshop, Weaving, Library, Music, and Physical Education, augmented by an annual Camping Program and a student-driven Choice Program. Tuition-based enrollment is supported by Flexible Tuition, Auxiliary Childcare and Enrichment programs, Summer at Peninsula summer camp, and development fundraising through the Annual Giving Campaign.
Is Peninsula School a public or private company?
Peninsula School is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Peninsula School founded?
Peninsula School was founded in 1925. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Peninsula School based?
Peninsula School is headquartered in Menlo Park, United States, in the North America region.
How does Peninsula School make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tuition Revenue is the primary driver. The others are annual Giving Campaign, endowment & Trust Fund, raise Your Paddle and 8th Grade Commemorative Fund.
Who are Peninsula School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Waldorf School of the Peninsula, Synapse School, Phillips Brooks School, Black Pine Circle School, Berkeley Rose School, Living Wisdom School of Palo Alto, Sand Hill School and Children's Day School (San Francisco). NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) is listed as an others. Menlo Park Presbyterian Children's Center / local Menlo Park preschools is listed as a regional player.
Does Peninsula School have an API?
No public API is recorded for Peninsula School.
What industry is Peninsula School in?
Peninsula School's product category is Private K-8 Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAJABAA, Nonsectarian Independent Day Schools, with a secondary code of EDACABAM, Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools. Its NAICS code is 6111 and its SIC code is 8200.