Welcome from the Head

Dear Future Dragon,

Imagine a school where you belong—not because you’ve managed to blend in, but because you are seen, valued, and appreciated for who you are.

Here at Mid-Pen, we believe high school should be a place where you can show up as yourself—especially when you’re still figuring out who that is. We’ve created a school where you don’t have to fit into a mold, a place where you can be fully yourself—where your mind, your passions, and your quirks are not just accepted, but celebrated. 

Welcome to Mid-Pen, the radically inclusive high school that pairs bold expectations with unwavering support—so the real you can shine.

Since our founding in 1979, Mid-Pen has believed that every student deserves both high expectations and steady support. We are a deliberately small school, and that matters. It means you’ll never be lost in the crowd. Teachers here don’t just know what classes you’re taking—they know your strengths, your challenges, and the ways you learn best. They’ll cheer you on when things are going well, and they’ll stand beside you when things get hard. The support you receive is always as high as the bar you set for yourself. 

At Mid-Pen you’ll find small classes where your voice is heard, a Core group that feels like home base, and experiences like DragonWeek that take learning beyond the classroom walls. Whether you’re in the lab, on stage, or in the studio, you’ll discover new aspects of yourself and a community that has your back. Here, everyone is on a first-name basis—students, teachers, even me. It’s a simple tradition that reflects something bigger: we’re a community built on trust, authentic respect, and genuine connection.

And here’s something else you’ll notice quickly: the pressure that feels so heavy in other schools doesn’t live here. We believe learning should be joyful, not overwhelming. Yes, we prepare you for college. And even more importantly, we help you discover how to learn, how to grow, and how to carry yourself with confidence into whatever comes next.

I hope as you explore our website, you begin to imagine yourself here. And I hope you’ll come visit us soon—the best way to understand Mid-Pen is to walk through our doors, meet the people, maybe pet one of our campus canines behind the ears, and see for yourself what it feels like to truly belong.

I can’t wait to meet you!

Warmly,

Karen E. Eshoo, Ed.D
Head of School