Woodside Priory School

Boarding Schools  Woodside Priory School

Woodside Priory School

Woodside Priory School

www.prioryca.org

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location type grades students int’l. s-f ratio class SSAT SAT-avg TOEFL
Portola Valley, CA co-ed 9-12 425 15% 7:1 13 Not req 1340 100

Woodside Priory School is a co-educational, college preparatory school for grades 6 to 12—a small school by design. It is located on 60 wooded acres, about 30 minutes south of San Francisco, and north of San Jose/Silicon Valley—a safe, rural setting with close access to metropolitan advantages. Woodside Priory School is an independent, Catholic, college preparatory school in the Benedictine tradition. Our mission is to assist students in becoming lifelong learners and stewards who will productively serve a world in need of their gifts.

An outstanding faculty and rigorous college prep curriculum are important. So is the Benedictine vision of a learning community where members support one another. An upbeat campus atmosphere and broad co-curricular program also set the stage for a balanced educational adventure. We welcome young people into a community where they feel uniquely known and loved. Priory students feel free to take intellectual and creative risks, to discover their passions, and to grow in heart, mind, and soul.

 Academics

The goal of every powerful educational institution is to tap into students’ passion for learning, and we are constantly looking for ways to do that. Academic rigor is part of life at Priory. Our students graduate fully prepared to enter the most selective colleges and universities. Even more important, they leave full of excitement, self-knowledge, and a passion to continue learning. As educators, we understand that learners have different needs at different times. Whether it’s adding three years of coursework beyond Calculus BC to adequately challenge our most advanced math students, or offering study skills support at the Academic Resource Center, we are there for all our students throughout their academic journey at Priory.

 Special Highlights

Senior Project. Spring semester seniors are challenged to identify a need that aligns with a personal passion and present a real-world solution in the form of their Senior Project. Whether designing an iPhone application, creating a basketball camp for local at-risk youth, or bringing a much-needed water filtration system to a girls’ school in Kenya, Priory students and graduates are serving a world in need of their gifts.

H Block. These High School activities are offered for one or two semesters during a class period set aside for High School student activities, H-block. Most meet once, twice or three times a week, and students may take as many as their schedule permits. They change from year to year based on student and faculty interest. Some are for class credit; some are for no credit, allowing students to try something new without worrying about grades. Study sessions give students time within the day for extra help.

 Top colleges attended by students

Boston College, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, MIT, Notre Dame, Northwestern University

 What the school looks for in students…

“We look for students who want to be engaged in the total community of the school, are goal oriented and motivated learners. Students who are looking to consider new areas of learning and experiences are considered highly qualified.”