Curriculum

The Menlo Difference

At Menlo Park Academy, we understand the unique qualities of gifted children. Our school is designed to meet the asynchronous development of our students’ emotional, physical and academic abilities. Our gifted students are able to learn and grow with their peers and feel a sense of belonging that may not be found in traditional classrooms, where they feel different and may attempt to fit in academically by “dumbing down” their classroom performance.

Gifted children don’t need more work. They need different learning.

Core Curriculum

At Menlo Park Academy, we provide gifted classrooms at all grade levels from kindergarten through eighth grade. Our curriculum offers more density and complexity and moves at a faster pace than is available in typical school environments. We offer a core curriculum in the subject areas of math, language arts, science and social studies. Because gifted students require less repetition to learn material, our curriculum moves at a faster pace than those of traditional schools and our teachers are able to cover core subjects with more depth and complexity.

menlo students working in the classroom
menlo students learning mandarin chinese

Encores & Enrichment

Menlo Park Academy’s enrichment and encore offerings include maker space and design, art, music, foreign languages and health/physical education at all grade levels. We also provide student-selected electives that vary by grade level. Our program is enhanced through experience to develop character, social and emotional supports, and student success skills such as executive functioning. The arts are woven throughout the curriculum and enriched with field trips, assemblies, competitions and after-school clubs.

Individualized Learning

Each student at Menlo Park Academy receives an individualized learning plan, called a Written Education Plan. This plan guides each learner to work at an appropriate pace, and accelerate in areas where they have strong interests and abilities while they receive support from faculty members who understand their unique needs. Individualized plans also allow parents and teachers to partner together to help our students reach important milestones in their development.

menlo students playing instruments in band club