PENINSULA HERITAGE SCHOOL

Founded in 1961, Peninsula Heritage School educates students in grades K–8. The school offers challenging academics infused with character education and enhanced by cocurricular science lab, music, coding, Spanish, fine arts, physical education, performing arts and library time—all taught by specialists in their field.

WHAT ARE A FEW OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR ACADEMIC PROGRAM?

Teachers at Peninsula Heritage School assess each child’s academic, social and emotional profile and create a personalized learning plan for every student. Our differentiated mathematics program enables students to participate in math classes one or even two grades above while attending their other classes with same-aged peers. Our student-centered language arts program includes Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop from Teachers College, Columbia University, which enable students to develop literacy skills for lifelong learning.

WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING STUDENTS LEARN AT YOUR SCHOOL?

The driving force for the founding of Peninsula Heritage School in 1961 was the need to provide children with a characterbased education. In addition to a full academic and cocurricular program, our teachers and administrators model, teach and discuss our six character qualities: Caring, Attitude, Respect, Gratitude, Perseverance, Self-Control. Students express their understanding of our character education program in their daily interactions, in written work, and by participating in song and dance during our monthly character qualities assemblies. Our graduates are often noted by their high school teachers and administrators for their outstanding character and positive attitudes.

HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR STUDENTS FEEL AT HOME?

Our school community is a family, and we provide multiple ways for our students to feel at home. With our small class sizes, each child is known by teachers, administrators and staff. Our “Care Families,” composed of students from each grade, meet for special activities and lunches. Our multigrade recess and lunch periods, our bus transportation program, and our after-school “camp” all provide opportunities for students to build friendships and feel secure across nine grades. Our beautiful park-like campus, ranch-style buildings and inviting classrooms also contribute to our students feeling that this is their second home.

TELL US ABOUT A SUCCESSFUL CHANGE YOUR SCHOOL MADE.

It was the tears of sadness over leaving Peninsula Heritage School after fifth grade and the desire of both students and parents to continue the PHS experience that prompted our expansion through eighth grade. Our first sixth grade class graduated in June 2012, and seventh and eighth grades were gradually added. A new campus for middle school was opened in 2016, and our middle school has grown to comprise 30% of our student body.