Menlo Park Board of Education Alternative School of Choice

October 2006


Dear Board of Education Members,

We are writing to express our interest in pursuing an alternative school of choice as an option for students in the Menlo Park City School District. Given that the district currently is considering changes to the configuration of its elementary schools, we would like to suggest that the Board explore adding an innovative, research-based, alternative educational program. Such a program would provide a highly effective way to meet the many different needs of our communitys children.

We are grateful that the recent passage of Measure U gives the district the unique opportunity to examine and address the needs of its community. We understand that a foreign language immersion school is one option currently being considered by the Board. There is also a strong interest within the community to include an alternative school of choice. Educating a community of children requires diverse instructional programs. As we consider the future of our schools, an alternative program would expand our educational programs and meet the districts mission statement and high standards in new ways.

There are schools of choice in several nearby districts. Examples include Ohlone School in Palo Alto, Nueva School in Hillsborough, Village School in Campbell Union, Christa McAuliffe School in Cupertino, and the San Carlos Charter Learning Center. We would like to suggest that members of the Board, educators, and interested parents work together to study these programs and consider what opportunities may be present for our district. Each of the schools listed above offer a unique approach to education, and selecting best practices from each would provide shape for a school of choice that exemplifies the high standards of education in Menlo Park.

We are excited about the possibilities of offering an alternative educational program that would significantly benefit students in our district. We hope that you will explore this option thoroughly, and are eager to participate and assist in the process.