Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School
Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School, 802 Middle Avenue, Menlo Park, CA 94025
About
Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School is a play-based preschool where parent participation allows children and families to learn and grow together. It is a parent-education-sponsored cooperative nursery school in which parents work in the classroom, attend parent education classes, and serve on the board and committees. Parents at the school are responsible for obligations including a workday, night classes, committee duties, and involvement in school activities.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The school’s mission states that it uses play-based learning to help children develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally, and build self-confidence. It operates as a cooperative model that emphasizes a loving, caring community of adults and children. The facility is described as an award-winning building designed by local architect and former co-op parent Sam Sinnott.
Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School was founded in 1951 as the Menlo Play Center by the American Association of University Women, in co-sponsorship with the Sequoia District Adult School. It moved to a new building in its current location in Nealon Park in May 1961 after a significant community fundraising effort. On February 16, 1992, the school’s building was destroyed in a devastating arson fire, and classes were held on the playground while the school was rebuilt. Parents staged numerous fundraising events to replace toys, books, and furniture after the fire, and the new building was dedicated in October 1994 after nearly three years of work. Following the fire, the school adopted the motto, “You can’t keep a good school down.”
The school’s history includes ongoing partnership with Sequoia Adult School. A parent described the experience by saying, “In these times of so much pressure and expectations on our young children, I am grateful for the firm belief in the power of play. The whole experience of being there with my child is priceless for me. I also love that I have met so many like-minded parents! An incredibly powerful learning experience… I am a much better parent now than I was before I started participating at the co-op.”
Last updated June 20, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
The school’s mission states that it uses play-based learning to help children develop social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally, and build self-confidence. It operates as a cooperative model that emphasizes a loving, caring community of adults and children. The facility is described as an award-winning building designed by local architect and former co-op parent Sam Sinnott.
Menlo-Atherton Cooperative Nursery School was founded in 1951 as the Menlo Play Center by the American Association of University Women, in co-sponsorship with the Sequoia District Adult School. It moved to a new building in its current location in Nealon Park in May 1961 after a significant community fundraising effort. On February 16, 1992, the school’s building was destroyed in a devastating arson fire, and classes were held on the playground while the school was rebuilt. Parents staged numerous fundraising events to replace toys, books, and furniture after the fire, and the new building was dedicated in October 1994 after nearly three years of work. Following the fire, the school adopted the motto, “You can’t keep a good school down.”
The school’s history includes ongoing partnership with Sequoia Adult School. A parent described the experience by saying, “In these times of so much pressure and expectations on our young children, I am grateful for the firm belief in the power of play. The whole experience of being there with my child is priceless for me. I also love that I have met so many like-minded parents! An incredibly powerful learning experience… I am a much better parent now than I was before I started participating at the co-op.”
Last updated June 20, 2026.
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