The Mid-Pen Way
At most high schools, students feel the pressure to keep up, fit in, or compete. At Mid-Pen, we believe school should feel different.
Here, you’ll find a college-prep program without the stress, a community where you belong, and the full high school experience you want: sports, clubs, dances, performances, and friendships that last.
College Prep, Less Stress
Many schools define success as a race for grades and “rigor.” At Mid-Pen, we focus on what truly matters: learning, growth, and confidence. You’ll be supported on your path to college in an environment that values curiosity over competition and purpose over pressure.
Everything High School Should Be
Some small or specialized schools can’t offer everything that makes high school exciting. Mid-Pen is different. Our Dragons take the stage in concerts and plays, compete on no-cut athletic teams, design art projects, lead clubs, and celebrate together at school dances. We’re proud to be both small and complete, giving you all the opportunities without the overwhelm.
Different Is Brilliant
Too many schools say they “support learning differences," but what they really mean is helping students get by, not helping them thrive. When brilliance looks different, it’s often overlooked. At Mid-Pen, we don’t just accommodate neurodiverse learners, we celebrate them. We teach to your strengths, challenge your thinking, and help your rise as the complex, capable individual you are.
Belonging, Not One-Size-Fits-All
Large schools often lose students in the shuffle. Specialized programs can feel limiting. Mid-Pen is intentionally small, so every student is known by name, by strength, and by story. Here, diversity isn’t just a value, it’s part of daily life. You’ll find classmates who accept you for who you are, and teachers who help you see what’s possible.
Core: Your Partner in Learning
Every Dragon has a Core Teacher, who serves as your advisor, advocate, and go-to adult on campus. Core meets every day, giving you a place to set goals, reflect on your progress, and get support for whatever you need. Think of Core as your anchor at school, and your Core Teacher as a partner in your journey through high school and, maybe, beyond.
Our Story
Like many great Silicon Valley ventures, Mid-Pen started in a garage—well, more like a living room. In 1979, two educators, Phil Bliss and Herman Ohme, saw that too many students weren’t finding success in traditional schools. So, working out of Herman’s Palo Alto home, they launched something different: a small, supportive, college-prep high school designed around students, not systems.
Word spread quickly. From three students around a kitchen table to a thriving campus in Menlo Park, Mid-Pen has always grown by staying true to its purpose: offering the best of high school—academics, arts, athletics, and a strong sense of community — without the stress or one-size-fits-all mindset. Nearly five decades later, our goal remains the same: to give students a place where they can learn, thrive, and become their best selves—without having to be anyone but who they are.
