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Mission - Vision - Philosophy
Synapse is a TK-8 independent school in Menlo Park, CA with a mission of Educating a Community of Change Makers. Synapse is a leader in the teaching of leading edge Academics, Innovation and Social-Emotional Learning and an aspirational and inspirational model of a learning community.
Leading-Edge Academics
Synapse inspires and engages students' love of learning through hands-on, project-based learning utilizing our HEARTS curriculum framework and brain-based research.
Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Learning is the foundational pillar of Synapse and fully integrated in the TK-8 curriculum and community. Students learn 8 competencies of the EQ model of Know Yourself, Choose Yourself, Give Yourself, empowering them for the future.
Innovation
Synapse is an aspirational model of education that embodies the practice of innovation in the curriculum and culture. Using the Innovation model - Explore a challenge, Envision potential solutions, and Execute on their vision, students learn critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Community
Synapse's caring community is inclusive and celebrates all differences. We love to connect and have fun with opportunities for all to participate in school activities, social gatherings and parent education.
Change Makers
Synapse's mission is Educating a Community of Change Makers. Synapse empowers every student and community member to impact the world in positive and authentic ways.
Synapse Learning Outcomes
All Synapse students develop the practices and habits of mind: Communication, Creativity, Perspective, Feedback, Follow-Through, Inquiry, Iteration, Advocacy, and Risk.
What Sets Us Apart
![Brainwave Learning Center]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1661789333/synapseschoolorg/ritwopkqsutwy2l5vqvi/IMGP3446_1.jpg","width":2200}])
The Brainwave Learning Center is a first-of-its-kind partnership between Synapse School and educational neuroscience researchers at Stanford University.
![11,000 sq ft Makerspace]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1656459811/synapseschoolorg/z0v0p8m4caef2lpimn6q/IMG_7024.jpg","width":2200}])
To enrich and elevate the TK-8 Synapse School experience through explicit practice of hands on and embodied learning, thinking big, and practicing maker mindsets. We go big, think differently, and are creating the most inclusive, integrated, and innovative Makerspace in any TK-8 school!
Aspirational & Inspirational
![Jim Eagen one of Bay Area's Leading Innovators]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1670530165/synapseschoolorg/fisnjscnou6zjqefvzcj/ScreenShot-12-08at0827PM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1670530165/synapseschoolorg/fisnjscnou6zjqefvzcj/ScreenShot-12-08at0827PM.png","width":486}])
- Innovation
Jim Eagen one of Bay Area's Leading Innovators
Synapse's Head of School Jim Eagen is highlighted as one of the Bay Area's leading innovators in Silicon Valley Magazine. "At Synapse, kids and adults know questions matter, ideas matter, and we take them very seriously," Jim says.
![Synapse Helps Kick off Stanford's Center on Early Childhood]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1667593636/synapseschoolorg/m22u557us04kmvspthge/IMG_0406.jpg","width":2200}])
Representing Synapse's Brainwave Learning Center, Liz Toomarian, Jim Eagen, Katie Morgan, Adam Hatfield and moderator Professor Bruce McCandliss on Nov. 3 spoke on a panel launching Stanford's new Center on Early Childhood.
"We are changing the way research is happening," Liz said about the research-practice partnership between Stanford University and Synapse.
![Screenshot of Today Show video about teen Cal Currier sailing solo across the Atlantic.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1664988203/synapseschoolorg/uvlz9cq6s9httj20g36i/ScreenShot2022-10-05at93907AM.png","width":2200}])
Synapse alum Cal Currier made history this summer by becoming the youngest person believed to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean. The teen, who only started taking sailing lessons in January, says “loneliness and boredom and sleep deprivation” were the greatest challenges he had to deal with on his adventure.
![Changing the Way We Teach, Jim Eagen on The Range Project Podcast]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1656549602/synapseschoolorg/q1uozt1rpwlqf5erqjqq/JimRangeProject_1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1656549602/synapseschoolorg/q1uozt1rpwlqf5erqjqq/JimRangeProject_1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1656549602/synapseschoolorg/q1uozt1rpwlqf5erqjqq/JimRangeProject_1.png","width":600}])
Jim Eagen, Head of School in conversation with The Range Project, Scotch College about neuroscience and learning, leading a school through a pandemic, the benefits and dangers of tech, what makes Synapse School such a unique place of learning and more.