UPPER SCHOOL BOARDING
SILICON VALLEY’S ONLY BOARDING SCHOOL
As the only boarding school in Silicon Valley, the Priory sits in one of the most visited, exciting, and dynamic places in the world. Students at the Priory find the best of both worlds — our 50-acre (20-hectare) campus feels like a rural oasis, yet it is easily accessible, only 30 minutes from San Francisco International Airport. Our campus is surrounded by mountains, horse farms, trails, and nearby beaches, yet we are only ten minutes from Stanford University and world-class restaurants and shopping in Palo Alto, and only 40 minutes from the beautiful city of San Francisco. If you are interested in technology, Silicon Valley is the epicenter of the global tech industry. Conversations about computer science and tech are all around, and the campus is less than 30 minutes from the headquarters of companies like Facebook, Apple, Google, and more.
Founded by Hungarian monks in the 1950’s, the Priory has been an international school from its very beginning. It’s often difficult to tell which of our students are international and which are local as they integrate seamlessly in classes, on the stage, and in the gym. We welcome all students into a community where they feel uniquely known and loved. The Priory is a place where students can be themselves, take intellectual and creative risks, and live and learn our five core Benedictine values of Community, Hospitality, Individuality, Integrity, and Spirituality.
Come see what the Priory is all about.
S A N F R A N C I S CO B AY A R E A Larkspur Walnut Creek
Mill Valley
Albany
Lafayette
Berkeley Oakland
I 80
Alamo
Moraga
Danville
A
San Ramon Golden Gate Park
San Francisco San Leandro
Daly City
Dublin
OAK
Livermore
Airport
South San Francisco
Pleasanton
San Francisco Bay San Bruno Pacifica
SFO
Union City
Airport
Hillsborough
Belmont Surfing
Half Moon Bay
Pacific Ocean
Redwood City
Milpitas
Palo Alto
SJC
Airport
Mountain View Sunnyvale
Cupertino
San Jose
Campbell
Saratoga Los Gatos
The San Francisco Bay Area is a truly special place. It’s why millions of travelers come on vacation from around the world every year. It is home to three major U.S. cities – San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland – and two of the most prestigious universities in the world – Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. There are world famous museums and arts, professional sports teams in every major sport, and amazing sight-seeing. You can find restaurants and grocery stores with food from virtually every country in the world. And the weather is beautiful all year-round!
B OA R D IN G
HOME AWAY FROM HOME Our on-campus community is a close, tight-knit family consisting of over 110 people – 55 boarding students and 24 Faculty members and their families. Our boarding program is sixty percent international and forty percent domestic, and our international students integrate fluidly with our domestic boarders and day students. Often, it’s hard to tell which is which. One unique aspect of our boarding program is that we have a full-time Residential Faculty. Their work day starts after the school day ends so that their sole focus is on our boarding students’ lives outside of the classroom – in the afternoon, evening, and on the weekends. Combined with our small size, this means that students receive individualized, personal attention and form strong relationships with the faculty. Every weekend, we take boarding students off campus to do different activities. Some weekends we go surfing, hiking, or skiing, and other weekends we go to San Francisco and visit tourist attractions like Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, or the Golden Gate Bridge. Almost every weekend, we take students to the movie theater, bubble tea shops, Stanford Shopping Center, and more. Computer Science classes often take field trips to visit the many technology companies in Silicon Valley. The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most exciting places to go to school in the world!
AC A D EMI C S
INSPIRING LIFELONG LEARNERS A Priory education is about more than just college preparation. It’s also about developing habits of mind, broadening one’s exposure, and discerning lifelong personal passions. Classes meet three times a week for 60-90 minutes so that students can engage deeply in conversations, group work, and labs. Students can choose from over 20 AP and college-level courses and over 30 elective courses. For students attracted to Silicon Valley, Priory offers a wealth of opportunities centered around our 12,000 square foot (1,115 square meter) Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STREAM) Building. Students can take a full four years of college-level math beyond AP Calculus or computer science classes like Mobile Computing for Android, CAD and 3D Printing for Product Design, or even a full year of computer science beyond AP Computer Science. Our Robotics team is extremely competitive and places among the top teams in Silicon Valley.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BOARDING STUDENT
7:45 am Residential Faculty wake up the Freshmen and Sophomores (Juniors and Seniors wake up on their own)
7:45 – 8:20 Eat breakfast in the dining hall with other boarding students and day students. Breakfast includes eggs made as you like, sausage/bacon, oatmeal, and more.
8:35 Head to your first class of the day. The dorms are centrally located, so it’ll only take you a few minutes to get to your classroom.
12:15 pm Eat lunch on the balcony with your friends while looking at the beautiful Windy Hill Preserve across the street from campus.
3:00 Classes end! Go see teachers for extra help or attend one of over 20 different student-led clubs like Robotics, Model United Nations, or the Sustainability club.
4:00 Go to practice if you’re on a sports team or rehearsal if you’re in a theater production.
6:00 Gather with your dormmates for a delicious dinner. Student favorites include steak and potatoes, Malaysian crab, Korean galbi (bbq short-ribs), and more. Then hang out with friends before study hall or get started on your work early.
7:30 – 9:30 Study in the library, one of the dorm lounges, or in your room with the door open. Residential Faculty members are there to answer questions and help you if you get stuck or need some extra motivation. 9:30 – 10:30 Quiet free time. Continue working on homework, go down to the gym to work out or shoot baskets, or bring your instrument to one of the solo practice rooms in the Performing Arts Center. 10:30 Everyone must be in their dorms for the night. 10:45 Finish your dorm chores. 11:00 Everyone retires to their rooms for the night. Freshmen must go to bed while upper classmen can stay up so long as they are quiet.
ARTS
TAKING CREATIVE RISKS At Priory, we feel it’s important to push students out of their comfort zones and challenge them to take creative risks. To this end, everyone is required to do at least one year of Performing Arts and one year of Visual Arts. Students can sing in the Concert Choir or Chamber Singers, play in one of four instrumental ensembles, or take guitar or drama classes. In Stage Design and Theater Tech, students learn to build backdrops and run all the sound and lights for every show. Drawing and Painting, Glass, Ceramics, Metals, Digital Photography, and CAD and 3D Printing are taught by teachers who are professional artists themselves, and student work is displayed in murals throughout campus and gallery spaces alongside local artists.
AT HL E T I C S
EVERYDAY CHAMPIONS Our athletics program puts an emphasis on being both competitive and inclusive. Most of our teams compete in the West Bay Athletic League, and in the last few years, our basketball, cross country, football, soccer, tennis, and track & field athletes have all won League and CCS Championships. Yet at the same time, we believe in giving everyone the opportunity to participate, regardless of your experience or level of ability. We don’t cut from teams. After all, we think it’s ridiculous to say it’s too late to try a new sport at 14 years old. There are lessons to be learned for everyone in athletics.
Fall Cross Country Football Tennis (G) Volleyball (G) Water Polo (B) Winter Basketball Soccer Spring Baseball Lacrosse Swimming Tennis (B) Track & Field
SPIR I T UA L I T Y A ND SER V I C E
FINDING PURPOSE While we are a Benedictine school, the Priory seeks to develop each student’s individual spirituality within his or her faith. We are proud to be a religiously diverse community. Our three monks who live on campus work to create a community where, as St. Benedict taught, “all are welcome with honor and respect.” Each week, the entire school gathers in the chapel to be together as a community. We pause and reflect on our values and listen to fellow students and teachers share stories from their lives and the positive lessons they’ve learned. Community service is a key part of our mission and is integrated into student life. Every club and sports team does a service event, each grade does an annual retreat, and five school days per year are dedicated solely to service.
PR I O R Y AT- A - G L A N C E
375 13
STUDENTS IN 6TH-12TH GRADE
AV ER AGE CLASS SIZE
7:1
STUDENT TO FACULTY RATIO
53% 20+ 80% STUDENTS OF COLOR
CLASSES
ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND COLLEGE-LEVEL
F A C U LT Y HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES
30% 40+ 30% STUDENTS ARE CATHOLIC
ELEC TIVE CLASSES
F A C U LT Y LIVE ON CAMPUS
20% 10% $3.2 UPPER
SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BOARDING STUDENTS
UPPER
SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE INTERNATIONAL
MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID
CO L L EG E S
College & University Matriculation American University Barnard College Baylor University Belmont University Berklee College of Music Boise State University Boston College Boston University Bowdoin College Brown University Bucknell University California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo California Polytechnic State University, Pomona California State University– East Bay Carleton College Carnegie Mellon University Case Western Reserve University Champlain College Chapman University Claremont McKenna College Clark University Colgate University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Sarah Lawrence College
University of Miami
Gonzaga University
Savannah College of Art and Design
University of Michigan
Grinnell College
Scripps College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Hamilton College – NY
Seattle University
University of Notre Dame
Harvard College
Skidmore College
University of Oregon
Haverford College
Smith College
University of Pittsburgh
Hofstra University
Southern Methodist University
University of Portland
St. Edward’s University
University of Redlands
Humboldt State University Johns Hopkins University Kenyon College Lafayette College Lawrence University Lehigh University Lewis & Clark College Linfield College Loyola Marymount University Macalester College Massachusetts Institute of Technology Middlebury College Montana State University– Bozeman Muhlenberg College New York University Northeastern University
College of San Mateo
Northwest Christian University
Colorado College
Northwestern University
Colorado State University
Oberlin College of Arts and Sciences
Columbia University Concordia University– Portland
Occidental College Olin College of Engineering
Connecticut College
Oregon State University
Cornell University
Pace University– New York City
Dartmouth College Drew University Duke University
Pepperdine University Pitzer College Princeton University
St. Lawrence University Stanford University Stony Brook University Swarthmore College
University of Puget Sound University of Richmond University of San Diego University of San Francisco
Syracuse University
University of Southern California
Texas Christian University
University of St. Thomas
The George Washington University
University of the Pacific
The University of Arizona
University of Virginia
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of Texas, Austin Trinity College Tufts University Tulane University University of California, Berkeley University of California, Davis
University of Utah University of Washington University of Wisconsin, Madison Vanderbilt University Vassar College Villanova University Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College Wheaton College MA
University of California, Irvine
Whitman College
University of California, Los Angeles
Willamette University
University of California, San Diego
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
University of California, Santa Barbara University of California, Santa Cruz University of Chicago
Whittier College Williams College
Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana Yale University
Purdue University
University of Colorado at Boulder
Regis University
University of Dayton
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Denver
Canadian Universities
Saint Mary’s College of California
University of Hartford
Foothill College
McGill University
Fordham University
San Jose State University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Simon Fraser University
Georgetown University
Santa Clara University
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of British Columbia
Eastern Washington University Eckerd College Elon University Emory University
British Universities King’s College London
O U R C A MPUS
Our campus is set on 50 acres of rolling hills, trails, and fields in beautiful Portola Valley. In recent years, the Priory campus has been transformed with new facilities that have energized the campus. Here are some of our newer facilities:
LaureL Stream Center— opened in 2018, this 12,000 square foot building features brand new science classrooms, huge new art studios, and a cutting-edge maker space for our Robotics program.
Trudelle Family Track & Field — the new all-weather 400-meter track, grass field, track house, and locker room facilities were opened in December 2016.
Rothrock Performing Arts Center (PAC) — our professional-grade facilities include a choir classroom, instrumental music classroom, solo practice rooms, a black box theater, set shop, and a 400-seat proscenium theater.
Benedictine Classroom Buildings — completed in 2015, this two story solar-powered building houses ten new classrooms and a faculty lounge.
Joe Montero Aquatics Center — the new Aquatics Center features a 25-yard water polo and swimming pool and opened in July 2017.
Franklin Garden — a 7,500 square foot organic garden and chicken coop sits atop our campus with a new Garden Pavilion built in 2017.
admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org
S A MPL E W EEK LY S C HED U L E
US
Monday MS & 9th
8:35 – 9:40 A
9:40 – 10:45 B
8:35 – 9:40 A
7:25 – 8:30 MS Choir Wind Symphony
9:40 – 10:45 B
10:45 – 11:10 10:45 – 11:10 Break Recess
US
Tuesday MS & 9th
8:35 – 9:40 F
7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Jazz Band
8:35 – 9:40 F 9:40 – 10:00 Break 10:00 – 10:45 Chapel 10:45 – 11:10 Advisory
MS & 9th
Wednesday US
8:25 – 9:40 MS Choir Wind Symphony
9:45 – 10:50 C
8:00 – 9:30 Faculty Meeting
9:45 – 10:50 C
US
Thursday
MS & 9th
US
Friday
MS & 9th
8:35 – 9:50 G
9:50 – 10:15 Break
8:35 – 9:50 D
9:50 – 10:15 Recess
8:35 – 9:50 D
7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Wind Symphony
8:35 – 9:50 G
9:50 – 10:15 Flex
7:25 – 8:30 Concert Choir Jazz Band
9:50 – 10:15 Flex
10:50 – 11:10 10:50 – 11:10 10:15 – 10:40 10:15 – 10:40 10:15 – 11:30 10:15 – 11:30 Break Recess Break Recess E E
1:20 – 1:55 Lunch
12:15 – 1:20 D
1:55 – 3:00 E
12:50 – 1:55 D
12:15 – 12:50 Lunch
1:55 – 3:00 B
1:20 – 1:55 Lunch
12:15 – 1:20 A
1:55 – 3:00 B
12:50 – 1:55 A
12:15 – 12:50 Lunch
1:55 – 3:00 F
1:20 – 1:55 Lunch
12:15 – 1:20 E
1:55 – 3:00 F
12:50 – 1:55 E
12:15 – 12:50 Lunch
1:45 – 3:00 C
1:10 – 1:45 Lunch
11:55 – 1:10 B
1:45 – 3:00 C
12:30 – 1:45 B
11:55 – 12:30 Lunch
2:25 – 3:10 AP Tutorial
1:20 – 2:25 G
12:45 – 1:20 Lunch
2:25 – 3:10 MS Choir
1:20 – 2:25 G
12:05 – 1:20 F
11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 11:10 – 12:15 10:40 – 11:55 10:40 – 11:55 11:30 – 12:45 11:30 – 12:05 Lunch C C G G D D A A F
1:55 – 3:00 E
U PPER S C H O O L CO U R SE G U ID E
9th Grade Required Courses
10th Grade Required Courses
English – Foundations I
English – Foundations II
Mathematics – Level based on placement test (see reverse side for list)
Mathematics
Science – Physics or Physics Honors Theology S1 – Basic Beliefs and Values S2 – Hebrew Scriptures History and Social Science S1 – American Democracy S2 – Global Issues
Science – Biology or Biology Honors Theology S1 – Christian Scripture Health S2 – Health and Wellness History and Social Science – World History World Language – French, Spanish and Mandarin Elective – See reverse side for list
World Language – French, Spanish and Mandarin. Level based on placement test. Elective – See reverse side for list
11th Grade Required Courses
12th Grade Required Courses
English – Two semester electives
English – Two semester electives
Mathematics
Theology – One semester elective
Science – Chemistry or Chemistry Honors (can be taken in 11th or 12th grade)
History and Social Science – Senior Project (one semester)
Theology – Two semester electives History and Social Science – US History or AP US History
World Language – Only required through level II, level III highly recommended Electives – See reverse side for list
World Language – Only required through level II, level III highly recommended Electives – See reverse side for list
admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org
U PPER S C H O O L EL EC T I V E S
Computer Science
Theology
History and Social Science
AI & Machine Learning Honors
Atheism & Faith
AP European History
Bioethics
AP Human Geography
Algorithms Honors
Moral Foundations
AP Macroeconomics
AP Computer Science
Morals and the Markets
AP Microeconomics
Design & 3D Printing I
Pop Goes Religion
AP US Government
Design & 3D Printing II
Superheroes
AP US History
FIRST Robotics
The Church and The Jews
Conspiracy to Literacy
Introduction to Computer Science
The Feminine Face of God
Current Events
World Religions
Economics
Mobile Computing w/ Android I Multimedia Production I
English AP English Literature Banned Books Creative Writing Discourse of Dining: Food and Literature Freaks, Geeks and Outliers Hearing the Body: Literature & Medicine
Philosophy
Performing Arts Chamber Singers
Mathematics (All Courses)
Concert Choir
Algebra I
Drama and Drama II
Geometry or Geometry Honors
Guitar I and Guitar II Jazz Ensemble Music Composition Speech Tech Theater/ Stage Design Wind Symphony
Literature through the Camera Lens
Visual Arts
Short Story
AP Art History
The Culture of Competition
AP Studio Art
Visions of Excess
Ceramics Digital Photography
Physical Education
Drawing and Painting
High School PE
Glass
Sports Medicine
Metals
Yoga
Yearbook
Word Language French III-AP French Language and Culture Mandarin III-V Honors Spanish III-AP Spanish Literature and Culture
Psychology
Advanced Music Theory
Algebra II or Algebra II Honors Precalculus Principles Precalculus or Precalculus Honors AP Calculus AB AP Calculus BC AP Statistics Multivariable Calculus Honors Differential Equations Honors Discrete Mathematics Honors Linear Algebra Honors
Science AP Chemistry AP Environmental Science AP Physics C: Mechanics Eco Design Health and Wellness Plant and Soil Science
T U I T I O N A ND A D MI S SI O NS PRO C E S S
2019-20 Boarding Student Tuition Tuition........................................................................................................ $47,775 Boarding Fee............................................................................................$24,200 Student Activity Deposit............................................................................. $600 Dormitory Damage Fee............................................................................... $200 Weekend Activities Fee............................................................................... $800 TOTAL.........................................................................................................$73,575
How to Apply for the Boarding Program at the Priory Create a Ravenna Account to: • Register for an Open House • Schedule a Campus Visit or International Campus Tour • Apply for admission Attend an Open House (optional) • Saturday, October 5, 2019 • 2 pm – 5 pm • Saturday, November 16, 2019 • 10 am – 1 pm Register and Complete Entrance Exams (see website for information) Submit Application Form and Pay Application Fee Schedule a Campus Visit or International Campus Tour* Complete Parent and Student Supplements Request Teacher and Counselor Recommendations Request Transcripts Submit all application portions by January 9, 2020 Schedule an Interview (see Ravenna for more information)* Admission Decisions Posted on Ravenna – March 10, 2020 Enrollment Agreements and Deposits Due – March 27, 2020 *International students should visit our website to read about specific international admission requirements. Woodside Priory School is authorized by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to issue I-20 documentation for international students seeking an F1 Student Visa.
FINANCIAL AID FOR DOMESTIC BOARDING STUDENTS
An independent boarding school education is a considerable investment for some families. We encourage families who have concerns about affording tuition and fees at the Priory to explore applying for financial aid. In the 2019-2020 school year, the Priory awarded over three million dollars in need-based grants. Approximately 20% of Priory families receive financial aid. Woodside Priory School joins many other boarding schools by using School and Student Services (SSS) to facilitate the financial aid application process. To begin the financial aid application process, families should create an account with SSS by visiting solutionsbysss. com/parents after October 1. Additional instructions are available on our website, www.prioryca.org. Priory awards financial aid based on the guidelines and methodology established by SSS and within the limitations of our budget and financial aid policies. Our financial aid program also considers other costs required to attend the Priory, including books and field trips. Please note that Woodside Priory School does not award any merit or athletic scholarships. Unfortunately, financial aid is not available for international students at this time. Families with additional questions about our financial aid program are invited to contact the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.
admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org
Community TOGETHER WE FIND STRENGTH AND PURPOSE IN SUPPORTING ONE ANOTHER.
Hospitality ALL ARE WELCOMED WITH HONOR AND RESPECT.
Individuality EVERY STUDENT HAS GIFTS TO BE DISCOVERED, NURTURED, AND TREASURED.
Integrity LEARNING FLOURISHES IN AN ENVIRONMENT OF HONESTY, TRUST, AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
Spirituality GOD WORKS IN US, THROUGH US, AND FOR US.
MISSION STATEMENT Woodside Priory School is a Catholic Benedictine, independent college preparatory school. Our mission is to assist all students in creating meaningful and balanced lives, developing as lifelong learners and stewards, and productively serving a world in need of their gifts.
admissions@prioryca.org | (650) 851-8223 | www.prioryca.org