Beechwood is a non-profit school community of 170 students, 30 staff members, and over 100 families. The school includes one class per grade from Kinder Prep through Eighth Grade. Beechwood offers its young learners a safe, nurturing environment that addresses the academic and social needs of each child.
MISSION STATEMENT
We believe that all our students have within them the power to succeed.
The mission of Beechwood School is to teach students to take personal responsibility to:
- Find their strength and build upon it.
- Prepare to establish strong families.
- Serve in their communities.
- Make healthy choices for body and mind.
BEECHWOOD HISTORY
As a scoutmaster of some boys from East Palo Alto, Dick Jacobsen discovered that some of the middle school boys in his troop could barely read at a first grade level. This experience planted a seed in his mind that someday he would do something about the educational need that he saw.
In 1984 the partners of WSJ Properties and their wives formed the California Family Foundation to assist families with education, housing, and jobs. The founders were Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley, Boyd and Jill Smith, and Richard and Sue Jacobsen. Marilyn Anderson was hired as director of the California Family Foundation.
Beechwood School opened its doors in 1986 to 15 kindergarteners and 15 first graders. The two classes met in a portable building on a site next to the railroad tracks near the Onetta Harris Community Center.
1984
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California Family Foundation formed
1986
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California Family Foundation opens Beechwood School with kindergarten and 1st grade.
1987
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Summer school begins
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2nd grade added
1988
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First parent education classes offered
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3rd grade added
1989
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School site doubled
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Music and fine arts program introduced
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4th grade added
1990
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Stanford student volunteer program starts
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Library collection and program begin
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5th grade added
1991
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Kinder Prep program begins in new Beechwood Annex
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After-school special interest clubs begin
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Program for assistances to students with learning difficulties begins
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6th grade added
1992
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Reading buddies community volunteer program starts
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School site expanded and 7th grade added
1993
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School garden and science programs begin
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8th grade added
1994
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First 8th grade class graduates
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Outdoor education program begins
1995
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Beechwood Weekly newsletter begins
1996
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Music program incorporates drama — each class presents a play
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First Beechwood alumni BBQ held
1998
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First Beechwood graduates finish high school and start college
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Beginning of year-round program for grade K - 4
2001
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New science and computer labs added
2002
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First performance of school-wide musical (The Music Man)
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Construction of new kindergarten classroom building
2004
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Middle school Extended Day program begins for grades 6 - 8
2006
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Beechwood School celebrates it's 20th anniversary
2008
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Beechwood enters into negotiations with City of Menlo Park to purchase school site