Menlo-Atherton High School

Menlo-Atherton High School (known as M-A to locals[2]) is a four-year public high school secondary school located in Atherton, California. Menlo-Atherton is part of the Sequoia Union High School District.[3]

Menlo-Atherton High School
Menlo-Atherton High School in 2011
Address
555 Middlefield Road

Atherton
,
California
94027

United States
Coordinates37°27′40″N 122°10′30″W
Information
Typepublic comprehensive
MottoStrength in Diversity
Established1951
School districtSequoia Union High School District
PrincipalKarl Losekoot
Faculty127.22 (FTE)[1]
Grades9–12
Enrollment2,221 (2021–22)[1]
Student to teacher ratio17.46[1]
Color(s)  Maroon
  Gold
NicknameBears
PublicationThe Mark, M-A Chronicle.
Feeder schoolsHillview Middle School, La Entrada Middle School, Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School
Websitewww.mabears.org

Menlo-Atherton has been named one of the top secondary schools in the nation by the United States Department of Education as part of its National School Recognition Program. It was selected as a California Distinguished School by the California Department of Education in 2007 and 2013.[4][5] In 2005, Newsweek ranked the school as the 259th best school in the United States.[6] Menlo-Atherton also offers the most Advanced Placement courses in the district with over twenty, ranging from Studio Art to US History.[7]

Since the closure of Ravenswood High School, Menlo-Atherton has been racially diverse, drawing from Atherton, Menlo Park, Redwood City, East Palo Alto, and Portola Valley. The school's motto is "Strength in Diversity".[8]

Academics

Typically, 97% of graduates continue their education. 37% opt for two-year colleges, 60% go to four-year colleges.[3]

M-A offers the following Advanced Placement courses: Art History; Biology; Calculus AB/BC; Chinese Language; Chemistry; Computer Science A; Computer Science Principles; English Language/Composition; English Literature; Environmental Science; European History; French Language; Latin; Physics; Psychology; Spanish Language; Spanish Literature (approximately every other year); Statistics; Studio Art; and US History. M-A has an 84% pass rate on AP exams, with just under 40% scoring a 5. It also has the Advanced Via Individual Determination program and the Computer Academy, programs for students seeking a smaller, supportive learning environment.[3]

Athletics

Menlo-Atherton has nearly 60 teams at the varsity, junior varsity and freshman levels in 15 sports that they offer. Over 46% of the student body participates in a sport with 1,100 athletes in the 2018–19 season. M-A has emerged as one of the most accomplished athletic programs in Northern California, winning 2 CIF State titles (Football & Girls Wrestling-individual title), 8 Central Coast Section titles, and 13 Peninsula Athletic League titles in the 2018–19 school year. The Bears have also won the PAL Commissioner's Cup the last 11 years in a row and in 12 of the 13 years of its existence. The Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually to the Peninsula Athletic League school that best exemplifies the league's commitment to sportsmanship and excellence in athletics. Points are awarded to each varsity team in each sport that they participate in, by the order of finish in league play and for sportsmanship.

In 2017, Co-Athletic Directors Paul Snow and Steven Kryger were named NorCal Athletic Directors of the Year by the California Coaches Association. That same year saw Adhir Ravipati named the NorCal Football Coach of the Year, and in 2018, Jane Worden and Brett Koerten were named State Swim Coaches of the Year, also by the California Coaches Association. In 2017, Menlo-Atherton was named the Northern California Public High School of the Year by Prep2Prep.com for their athletic achievements.

Fine arts

Menlo-Atherton is home to a professional-level 492-seat theater, the Menlo-Atherton Center for Performing Arts. It is home to the school play and musical; band, orchestra, guitar, and choir concerts; the Menlo-Atherton Student Film Festival;[9] the Bear Arts Expo, a collaboration between all of M-A's arts classes;[10] and many other school events. It also hosts events related to the City of Menlo Park, which partially financed its construction, and is a regular venue of ensembles and music festivals including the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Music@Menlo.[11]

The Advanced Jazz Ensemble regularly travels to festivals around the world, including the annual Reno Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The band is supported by the Band Boosters.[12]

The center is home to M-A Drama, Menlo-Atherton's chapter of the International Thespian Society. M-A Drama produces a play and a musical each year. M-A Drama is supported by M-A Drama Boosters.[13]

Controversy

In November 2022, two separate students brought guns to school. The first incident was on November 10, when M-A staff called Atherton Police after receiving an anonymous tip that identified a student as possessing a gun. School staff conducted an administrative search of the student and located a Sig Sauer P226 9mm pistol with one round chambered and nine rounds in the magazine in the student's waistband. M-A staff decided not to inform students or parents until after the school day.[14] On November 29, Atherton Police arrested a student for bringing a loaded Smith & Wesson M&P Shield .380 pistol to school after staff reported there was a firearm in an unattended backpack. After this incident, Principal Karl Losekoot alerted parents the next day but not students until two days after.[15]

Alumni

Faculty

See also

References
  1. "Menlo-Atherton High". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
  2. About M-A Archived 2012-09-10 at the Wayback Machine
  3. School Profile Archived 2013-11-10 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "California Distinguished Schools Awardees 2007 - California Distinguished Schools Program (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  5. "California Distinguished Schools Awardees 2013 - California Distinguished Schools Program (CA Dept of Education)". www.cde.ca.gov. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  6. "MSN | Outlook, Office, Skype, Bing, Breaking News, and Latest Videos". www.msnbc.msn.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2005. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  7. "Menlo-Atherton High School - AP Courses". www.mabears.org. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  8. "Reid column: M-A's success comes on and off the field". The Mercury News. September 12, 2012. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  9. Death, Theft, Violence, and Catnip: The M-ASFF In Review Archived 2012-05-24 at the Wayback Machine
  10. "Photos from M-A's Art Expo". Archived from the original on April 18, 2012. Retrieved May 4, 2012.
  11. "Venues - Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale". Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  12. M-A Band Boosters Archived 2011-09-16 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "Boosters".
  14. Lam, Megan (November 15, 2022). "Student Arrested for Carrying Gun on Campus". M-A Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  15. Freedman, Sonia (December 3, 2022). "Second Student Arrested for Carrying Gun on Campus". M-A Chronicle. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  16. "Menlo Atherton High School History Page 6". Menlo Atherton High School Alumni Association. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
  17. Hunt, Mary Ellen (December 14, 2008). "Cheryl Burke: 'Dancing With the Stars' tour". SFGate.com. Retrieved December 26, 2010.
  18. "TEAM:Roster Greg Camarillo Profile - MiamiDolphins.com". Archived from the original on April 30, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2008. First-team All-Peninsula Athletic League and All-San Mateo County as senior at Menlo-Atherton High School in Menlo Park, Calif
  19. "Menlo-Atherton's Troy Franklin lives up to hype as top football recruit". December 15, 2018.
  20. Occhipinti, Gabby. "Born to Perform". Punch. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  21. "Updated: Menlo Park native wins Grammy as fusion band guitarist".
  22. "Jordan Mims (RB): Bio, News, Stats & more". www.buffalobills.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  23. "Jordan Mims - Buffalo Bills running back". ESPN. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  24. Wick, Carrie (July 2, 2008). "Three women with Woodside Vaulters head to world vaulting championships". The Almanac. Archived from the original on May 27, 2011. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  25. Wise, Chad (July 17, 2017). "Eagles announced for Women's Rugby World Cup 2017 in Ireland". USA Rugby. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  26. "Women Eagles Name World Cup Squad". www.thisisamericanrugby.com. July 17, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  27. "New caps in Women's Eagles World Cup squad". Americas Rugby News.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  28. Wood, Barbara (November 8, 2017). "How a curious kid from Atherton started and grew a global environmental news site". Almanac News.
  29. Bumiller, Elisabeth (August 13, 1999). "Teammate Collects Dollar Bills for Bradley". The New York Times. Retrieved June 30, 2010.
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