School Profile

One of California’s most highly regarded schools, Pleasanton’s Walnut Grove Elementary School is situated in a scenic coastal valley just east of the San Francisco Bay. It is one of fifteen public schools within a middle class suburban hamlet of 60,000+. Pleasanton boasts a rich history, dating back to colonial America. Quality schools, combined with proximity to Silicon Valley employers, have made Pleasanton a destination-community for families.

Much like the town in which it thrives, Walnut Grove School enjoys a proud history - one in which educational innovation has long been fostered and practiced. Built in 1968 as a progressive “open-space” school, Walnut Grove has been recognized as a regional locus for “cutting-edge” educational practices for decades. Since its inception, "the Grove" has included progressive educational programs such as Discovery and other various Traditional programs. With the evolution of California State Teaching Standards and California's Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP's), Walnut Grove's educational programming has also evolved. Starting in 2012-2013 academic year, Walnut Grove merged its Discovery and various Traditional programs to form a hybrid educational model which incorporates the best of all programs.

Our vision for students goes well beyond simply achievement and parental satisfaction. It is one that takes inspiration from the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” Our mission is To include all stakeholders in the promotion of community values and achievement, including the belief that ‘school’ is a place that attends to the child’s soul as well as his/her mind. Toward that end, we offer a comprehensive array of programs, including instruction in character education, integration of music and math software, Hands Across America, GATE, EL Programs, Roots and Shoots, Ecology Club, our organic community garden, and the visual and performing arts.

Community partnerships flourish at the Grove. Last year we enlisted over 600 registered parent volunteers. Parents participate as tutors in a remedial reading program, in school governance as members of our School Site Council, as classroom volunteers, arts docents, organic garden purveyors, PTA officers and members or activity supervisors. We welcome their involvement and view them as full partners in the learning process. In a letter to the principal, a parent remarked, “I love how the Walnut Grove teachers see me, the parent, as a complete partner in my child’s education, at home and in the classroom!” For these, and many other reasons, we believe that Walnut Grove is a very special place!