Context for Our Goals

We feel that our kids are surrounded by love at Trinity, not just from their teachers but from every adult on campus. Every adult they pass on their way to recess, a classroom, or the pickup line exudes verbally or nonverbally, ‘I am happy to see you!’

—TRANSFER FAMILY

Trinity School is a purposefully small school and has partnered with parents since 1961 to grow children, one at a time, into motivated and capable problem solvers with big hearts. At the same time, like many PK-5 and PK-8 schools, Trinity has faced enrollment fluctuations primarily due to local market forces. Our area is crowded with many faith-based and non-sectarian educational options for K-8, making tuition levels, financial aid availability, academic program, preschool offerings, and middle school placements key differentiators. Therefore, a high priority for this strategic planning process has been assessing our market position, identifying ways to increase and stabilize enrollment, and sustaining our historically strong middle school matriculation track record.

Trinity School has always fostered a welcoming culture represented by inclusion and respect. As part of our Episcopal identity and codified in our Belief Statements, we welcome people of all faiths and backgrounds and provide an exemplary academic program for all of our students in an environment that emphasizes social responsibility. As we find the world more connected than ever and against the backdrop of a richly diverse Bay Area, Trinity School desires to take tangible steps to further our mission where each child has a unique voice and where we are known for welcoming people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Trinity is located on two campuses. The Early Childhood Education Program is on the campus of Trinity Church in downtown Menlo Park, and the K-5 program is located on the campus of St. Bede’s on Sand Hill Road. Significant changes to either campus must be imagined and planned in conjunction with the respective church Rectors and their Vestries. In recent years, there have been leadership transitions at both host churches and many disruptions due to the impact of COVID. Trinity School looks forward to partnering with both Trinity Church and St. Bede’s in planning facilities enhancements to support the school’s program and enrollment goals.

Trinity is fortunate to have had a long tradition of skillful and dedicated teachers who value academic excellence, develop and deliver a differentiated academic program for students, inspire a sense of connectedness to something greater than ourselves and a belief that we can contribute to the good of the world through the way we live. However, we are challenged by the high cost of living in the Bay Area, an ongoing national teacher shortage, and the teacher migration in the post-COVID era. In this plan, we are committed to substantial efforts to attract, develop and retain teachers who will continue the legacy of academic excellence, strongly support and execute a differentiated program, and commit to service-learning and an environment that helps children find their moral and ethical center.

Finally, Trinity’s finances have been prudently managed over many years, due significantly to the wisdom and guidance of the Board of Trustees, and the endowment has grown due to the immense generosity of the parent, alumni, and teacher community. With program expansion and potential improvements to our physical plant on the horizon, a focus for the coming years is to broaden and deepen Trinity’s philanthropic stakeholders and to do more to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

Our goals for Trinity 2026 can be clustered into three broad areas: People, Program, and Permanence. Every member of our community contributes to the uniqueness of the Trinity experience, and as we contemplate the future, the needs of our people are a clear priority. Our academic and co-curricular programs have been strong and can continually iterate and improve. Finally, even as we pursue near-term goals, we are charged with ensuring that Trinity remains a permanent option for peninsula families well into the future through sustained financial health, exceptional facilities, and strategic governance.