We know you have a lot of questions about getting ready for high school.
Rest assured: we’ll make sure your entrance into the Menlo Upper School community goes as smoothly as possible and that you’ll get all the information you need. Here are some things you’ll need to do before school starts in the fall, and if you need more help, you can always type a phrase in the search box at the top of the webpage to find what you need.
Sign up for classes and activities and be on the lookout for your class schedule.
Students need to complete this form by June 1 to indicate their choices for their semester-long Freshman Arts Experience (FAX) as well as their preferences for an optional elective course for their seventh period if they plan to take seven classes. Our courses are described here.
Results from your Math and World Language placement tests will be sent by email on May 17. If you didn’t receive this email, contact the Registrar’s Office at registrar@menloschool.org. Questions about placement? View these FAQs for Math and World Language.
Incoming 9th graders have been assigned an Academic Advisor (details here) who can answer your questions about course selection. You’re welcome to join one of the following Zoom calls to learn more about course selection and ask questions of Academic Advisors: May 21, 8:00-8:40 am (Zoom link) or May 23, 3:30-4:15 pm (Zoom link).
Optional: If your child has a diagnosed or suspected learning difference or if you’d like to learn more about learning support at Menlo, we invite you to attend an informational Zoom meeting with our Learning Support team on Wednesday, May 15, 6:00-7:00 pm.
Watch your email the week of August 5 for details on accessing your class schedule.
Get ready for Menlo Athletics.
Interested in playing a sport next year? Sign up here and then review the “Diving into Menlo Athletics” webpage for all you need to do to get ready for Upper School Athletics. It includes everything from info about getting your health exam—which you need to get after June 1—to summer training opportunities and the start dates for fall sports.
Menlo Athletics is pleased to offer summer sports camps in 2024. Baseball, water polo, girls’ flag football, co-ed tennis, and girls’ volleyball are hosting programs for rising ninth graders. Register here.
Complete your summer reading assignments.
Here are the freshman summer reading assignments and instructions for English and History. (Tip: When purchasing books for Upper School English classes, keep in mind that teachers require print books (no ebooks). Please purchase the specific edition indicated by the ISBN, as assignments may refer to the page numbers in that edition.)
Learn about your technology needs, how to order books, and what supplies you’ll need for the start of school.
For fall courses, you will receive your schedule and a link to the Menlo Booklist in early August. Enter your courses into the Booklist Generator, and it will provide a list of your required texts with their International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs). You can purchase books from any vendor you prefer as long as you purchase the correct ISBN edition.
In the Upper School, all students will need to bring a laptop to school each day. Get some gadget advice and learn about technology at Menlo.
And, in case you’re wondering what Upper School students will need for the first day, in addition to their fully-charged laptop, students should bring a binder or notebook, assigned summer work, and a pencil or pen. There isn’t a master list of required supplies for Upper School students as each student’s needs will depend on their courses. Teachers will let students know what supplies will be needed for each class.
Make sure you submit your immunization record and your health information.
You should receive an email from August Schools Student Medical Record, our partner in collecting and managing student medical information, sometime in late May or early June. Complete the online form with your medical information, including immunizations* (do not send records to Menlo). Please do this before August 1—you can’t come to school without it! If you have not received a welcome link from August Schools by June 10, please contact the school nurse.
Upper School students who are planning on participating in Athletics need to get a pre-participation annual physical, dated after June 1. The blank form for an athletic physical will be in the student’s August Schools account. *Note: Menlo School no longer requires Covid vaccination, but it is encouraged. Questions? Contact thehealth office.
Keeping Connected and Getting Involved
Please read this welcome letter and invitation to get involved with the Menlo School Parent Association (MSPA).
From Advocacy to Tutorial—and everything in between—you may want to check out these Menlo Terms to Know to help familiarize yourself with the many facets of Menlo.
In June, you’ll get your first issue of our email newsletter (which we call “eNotes”) that includes any other information you’ll need for the summer.
In early August, you’ll get an email with all the information you’ll need for the start of school. Be sure to read this email!
To make sure Menlo emails don’t end up in your spam folder, add donotreply@menloschool.org to your list of contacts and/or approved senders.
Get your Menlo spirit gear! Swing by the kiosk in the Athletic Center between 1:00-3:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday or by appointment. For questions or to schedule an appointment, contact Donna Okino. The Campus Store will be closed for the summer starting June 7, 2024.
Mark your Calendars
(Dates are tentative and subject to change)
Early August - See the “Diving into Menlo Athletics” webpage for fall sport start dates.
Wednesday, August 21, 9:00 am-3:00 pm - Freshman Orientation for students
Wednesday, August 21, 9:00-11:00 am - Ninth Grade Parent Coffee
Thursday, August 22 - First Day of School, 8:45 am
Thursday, August 29, 6:00-7:30 pm - 9th Grade Parent Information Night
Friday, September 21, 8:00-10:00 pm - Back-to-School Dance
How will you GO MENLO? Check out transportation options.
How you Go Menlo matters! Menlo has an agreement with the Town of Atherton to limit traffic coming to campus during peak drop-off and pick-up times. Help us meet this goal and reduce our environmental impact by walking, biking, carpooling, or riding the train or bus. Learn more about Menlo’s bus transportation program and start thinking about how you’ll get to school. This summer, we’ll communicate more transportation information, including sign-up details, bus and shuttle times, and a carpool map so you can see who lives in your neighborhood.
Need help?
When navigating the website, if are asked to log in, you can use the new family credentials that were on the bottom of the “Get Ready” handout in your packet from the welcome event. If you lost that handout, please email techticket@menloschool.org.
You can always type a phrase in the search box at the top of the webpage to find what you need.
You can also call these people (but keep in mind that most offices on campus close during the month of July for summer vacation).
Content from previous site pages, can be copied into new design as needed
MENLO SCHOOL Since 1915
