Synapse School
- Private
- MENLO PARK, CA
Private School
Synapse School
- grade A minusOverall Grade
- Private
- PK, K-8
- MENLO PARK, CA
- Rating 4 out of 5 13 reviews
Report Card
- Academicsgrade B
- Diversitygrade A
- Teachersgrade A
About
Applying
Application Deadline
January 15
Application Fee
$90
Interview Required
Yes
Required/Recommended Tests
None
Tuition
Yearly Tuition
$38,000
Tuition is for the highest grade offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.
Received Financial Aid
18%
Average Financial Aid
$25,940
From Synapse School
An independent elementary and middle school in Menlo Park, CA, Synapse offers an innovative academic curriculum fully integrated with social-emotional learning (SEL). Synapse's curriculum and school life builds on the foundation of our mission of Educating a Community of Change Makers. The program is carefully designed as a model school to demonstrate the power of blending emotional intelligence training with leading-edge instruction (brain-based, constructivist, project-based learning in school-wide themes). We are curious, innovative, imaginative, creative, and we have fun!
Upcoming Events
Transitional Kindergarten - New for 22-23!
Transitional Kindergarten is a great opportunity for older four year olds and young fives. Our youngest change makers have specific developmental needs and love to learn through imaginative play, inquiry, and physical movement, like acting out a story, being creative with art supplies, building with blocks, or having jobs in the classroom. Applications now open!
School Details
Grades
PK, K-8
Students
294
Student-Teacher Ratio
5:1
National
17:1Full-Time Teachers
54
Part-Time Teachers
No data available
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Home Listings
Students
Students
294
Preschool
Annual Cost
No data available
Cost is for the most complete schedule offered and may have changed for the current school year. For more information, please contact the school.
Starting Age
4 years
Pre-K Student-Teacher Ratio
6:1
Schedule Options
- Offers Full WeekYes
- Offers Part WeekNo
- Offers Full DayYes
- Offers Part DayNo
- Cost of Livinggrade D
- Good for Familiesgrade B minus
- Housinggrade D
Median Household Income
$98,982
National
$69,021Median Rent
$1,875
National
$1,163Median Home Value
$1,008,108
National
$244,900Synapse School Reviews
Rating 4 out of 5 13 reviews
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Synapse is much more than a school. My husband and I feel that coming to Synapse was the best parenting decision we ever made. This is our seventh year, so it feels like home . Our younger daughter (who started at Synapse in Kindergarten) is thriving in 6th grade. Our older daughter started 9th grade this year, and hit the ground running. She felt extremely prepared in all areas, and so far has straight As in challenging classes, and has met every challenge with emotional equanimity. Synapse's teachers are unparalleled in their skill and delight at teaching, and the community is warm and welcoming. There are lots of activities to help one's family grow closer to each other, and make lifelong friends. We've attended the school camping trips, participated in the teacher-parent band (called the Constructivists), attended morning coffees with our wonderful Head of School, Jim, attended valuable emotional intelligence meetings with teachers and other parents, and much more.
When I think about our experience at Synapse, the first feeling that comes up is gratitude. We are so grateful to the tremendously thoughtful teachers and staff that have really taken the time to get to know our child and the unique needs of our child. Our Synapse teachers have been so full of care, energy, passion, and commitment. The educators at Synapse work together tirelessly to create meaningful, positive experiences for children across domains-- academically, socially, and emotionally. We are so thankful that our child gets to have this school experience.
I want to start this review with a caveat: just because I didn’t find Synapse to be the right school for me (a recent alumnus) does not necessarily mean that it will be a bad fit for your child.
My main grievance with Synapse is "project-based learning.” While at face value interactive learning seems far superior to just writing essays and filling out worksheets, how this was implemented at Synapse severely held back me and my classmates academically. Let’s just say that the school focused a bit too much on the “project” part and not enough on the “learning part.”
The issue of poorly implemented project-based learning affected every class and was particularly detrimental to the english, math, and history curriculums. After my years at Synapse I was left with huge gaps in my knowledge in all core academic subjects. Synapse is more of an expensive daycare than an actual school where students learn.
My main grievance with Synapse is "project-based learning.” While at face value interactive learning seems far superior to just writing essays and filling out worksheets, how this was implemented at Synapse severely held back me and my classmates academically. Let’s just say that the school focused a bit too much on the “project” part and not enough on the “learning part.”
The issue of poorly implemented project-based learning affected every class and was particularly detrimental to the english, math, and history curriculums. After my years at Synapse I was left with huge gaps in my knowledge in all core academic subjects. Synapse is more of an expensive daycare than an actual school where students learn.