curriculum

“Eastside, for me, was the most transformative experience.” – Raymond, Eastside Class of 2020, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Class of 2024

At Eastside, all students take the same college preparatory curriculum with the exception of native language designation and math, for which assignment is based on entering algebra preparation. Each required course is certified to fulfill one of the University of California's entrance requirements. Upon graduation, all Eastside students have at a minimum taken the necessary course work for admission to the University of California.

In addition to the core curriculum, Eastside offers a variety of electives, as well as sports:

Computer Science
Journalism
Yearbook
Drama
Art
Photography

Piano
Band
Choral Ensemble
Dance
Digital Illustration
Strength and Conditioning

Basketball
Volleyball
Track and Field
Cross Country
Soccer

College Readiness

We are grateful to the generous donors that support our College Readiness Program, including the Rotary Club of Menlo Park and the U.S. Bank Foundation.

Because nearly all of our students are first-generation college-bound, we have developed a three-year college readiness series to make the college admissions process less daunting and the transition to college smoother.

Sophomores take “Composition and Argumentation,” which focuses on the elements of the SAT that will be helpful for students in college and beyond, including vocabulary development, breaking down and analyzing complicated texts, writing exercises, and developing critical reading skills.

In “Writing for College,” juniors continue to work on vocabulary development and critical reading skills. Students also complete a self-assessment, analyzing their eligibility for various colleges, and determining what they need and want in a college. Students investigate individual colleges, and prepare for meetings with visiting college representatives.

“Senior College Prep” guides students through each step of the college application process. Assisted by our college guidance counselor, seniors compile the lists of colleges to which they will apply and write their personal statements. They prepare the common application and develop teacher recommendation packets. By the end of the first semester, students have completed their college applications. The second semester is devoted to the financial aid process and the transition to college; a transition to college unit, including a financial literacy program, helps prepare students for the realities of college life.

High School Resource Program

All Eastside students have dedicated themselves to completing Eastside’s rigorous requirements and then enrolling in college. Yet some students require extra support to improve their academic skills or develop study, learning, and test-taking strategies. Eastside’s Resource Program helps to bridge these gaps, mentoring each student with a highly personalized plan and offering small math and humanities resource classes for students who need extra support to be successful in their classes. In resource class, students gain confidence in their academic skills and address any learning disability or difficulties relating to second language acquisition. The resource teachers are committed to helping students master the skills required to succeed at Eastside. The program is structured to help students become increasingly independent as they approach their senior year in preparation for college.