Menlo-Atherton High School
WASC Reports
WASC 2025 Review
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WASC 2025 Reviewtitle
From April 14 to April 16 2025, Menlo-Atherton was visited by six representatives of the WASC committee for a full self-study evaluation to assess how Menlo-Atherton has been progressing on areas of strength and areas of follow-up identified in the last full evaluation 2019. Additionally, Menlo-Atherton determined new areas of strength and areas of follow-up this new cycle, starting in 2025. The WASC committee accepted Menlo-Atherton's report and proposed Action Plan with no changes, and the school was granted a six-year accreditation status with a one day mid-cycle review to be completed in 2028.
Before the WASC review, Menlo-Atherton staff members met multiple times in preparation.
Staff members met in Focus Groups to discuss collective strengths and areas of growth as defined by the WASC team in 2019 and the mid-cycle review in 2022. Individual teachers also completed a survey on progress toward instruction-specific action items. Departments looked at WASC goals and how progress is being met. Data was also shared at staff meetings.
Based on input from all staff members, Menlo-Atherton determined new action plans and action items to submit for the 2025 WASC review.
The visit consisted of a tour of classrooms and meetings with individuals about the WASC process, the school’s key data, and the school’s critical academic needs. The WASC team then visited almost every classroom during instruction and met with representative members of each Focus Group. The visit also included a debrief with staff members regarding the school’s progress in our Action Plan.
Menlo-Atherton proposed and the WASC team accepted the following areas of strength and areas of growth for the school:
Schoolwide Strengths
1. Consistently aligned vision and goals in accordance with SPSA, LCAP, and district.
2. Variety of courses and increased heterogeneous courses.
3. Development of inquiry-based teachign and learning in core 9th and 10th grade classes.
4. Consistent methods for analyzing student learning
5. Increased support services available for students
Growth Areas for Continuous Improvement:
The visiting committee concurs with the school’s identified areas for growth:
1. Increase CTE pathway options that are dual-enrolled
2. Continue focusing on instructional activities that have a low floor and a high ceiling to promote rigorous thinking tasks
3. Develop and implement more common rubrics and assessments in grade level teams and develop consistent grading pratices within course level teams
1. Increase CTE pathway options that are dual-enrolled
2. Continue focusing on instructional activities that have a low floor and a high ceiling to promote rigorous thinking tasks
3. Develop and implement more common rubrics and assessments in grade level teams and develop consistent grading pratices within course level teams
4. Develop practices to reduce suspensions
WASC 2025 Report
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WASC 2025 Reporttitle
WASC 2021-2022 Mid-Cycle Review
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WASC 2021-2022 Mid-Cycle Reviewtitle
On March 3, 2022, Menlo-Atherton was visited by a representative of the WASC committee for a mid-term evaluation to assess how Menlo-Atherton has been progressing on these areas of strength and areas of follow-up from the report in 2019.
Before the WASC review, Menlo-Atherton staff members met three separate times in preparation.
Staff members met in Focus Groups to discuss collective strengths and weaknesses as defined by the WASC team in 2019. Individual teachers also completed a survey on progress toward instruction-specific action items.
In September 2021, staff members reviewed action plan items in departments and made notes on progress. Staff also looked at the WASC team's recommended school-wide areas of follow-up and made notes on departmental progress.
In November, staff met again in focus groups to review school data. Staff also looked at the compiled responses from the May and September meetings and pulled specific school-wide updates to areas of strength and follow-up to be included in the final WASC document.
The visit comprised of a tour of classrooms and meetings with individuals about the WASC process, the school’s key data, and the school’s critical academic needs. The visit also included a debrief with key leadership team members regarding the school’s progress in our Action Plan.
1. The campus provides an environment conducive to learning, where administration, teachers, and staff have made efforts to recognize and celebrate student diversity.
2. The dedicated classified and support staff ensure that the school operates as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
3. The commitment of the teachers to the students and the willingness of teachers to engage in reflective practices promote a culture of continuous improvement.
4. The administrative team is committed to the success of the school and its students.
5. All students have access to a wide range of course offerings that have the potential to
prepare them for both college and career.
6. The community recognizes the value of extracurricular activities including sports, visual
and performing arts, and student organizations, and continues to support students in those
endeavors.
7. The student support systems for incoming and struggling students provide students of all
abilities with tools for success.
Growth Areas for Continuous Improvement: The visiting committee concurs with the school’s identified areas for growth:
1. Teachers and administration should continue to refine their data review practices to support increased classroom rigor, strengthen school-community connections, and evaluate newly implemented course changes.
2. The school, with support from the district, should continue to investigate opportunities for new courses and pathways, through professional development and other collaborative efforts, to continue to provide students with a high-quality, rigorous, and relevant curriculum.
3. Teachers and administration should continue to develop equity-centered strategies for student engagement in order to support its students and others within the M-A community.
WASC 2021-22 Mid-Cycle Report