It was then that I recognized the unique potential of an all-girls learning environment to empower young womento find their voices. All rights reserved. Books & Uniforms (new or used): $650 - 1,100 Teacher at California high school arrested after recording devices found in restroom Education | Castilleja School is a top rated, private, all-girls school located in PALO ALTO, CA. Special Pubs After graduation, 100% of students from this school go on to attend a 4-year college. Sponsored content led us to infuse our curriculum and progams with relevant, -- on larger lots with 1-acre+ zoning You cannot convince me that Embarcadero traffic will be worse with a hundred more students using the transportation measures Castilleja has imposed. Palo Alto backs e-bike ban on Baylands trails, Stanford sues Santa Clara County over tax exemptions for faculty residences, Hit-and-run driver kills man, crashes into five cars Sunday morning, Santa Clara County wants to put millions into child care, California homelessness: Where are the state's billions going? It is absolutely appropriate to block this expansion if it does nothing for community. This has taken way too long to resolve, and has cost the school way too much money. So far, planning staff is leaning toward what's known as "Scheme E," which combines a 52-space underground garage with 11 new at-grade parking spaces. I also attended and LOL when Alcheck made his comments about the garage; that commissioner has garage history; I think he favors them! [16], Castilleja is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the National Coalition of Girls' Schools, and the College Board. Despite all that, deep pockets, and an army of experts, repeated trips to the drawing board are not resulting in a viable expansion plan. To assuage the community's fears about the traffic impacts of its expansion, a key area of concern for council members and project opponents alike, Castilleja is now proposing several new policies to discourage driving near the campus. Responding to city feedback and community criticism, Castilleja School has revised its plan to rebuild its Bryant Street campus in Palo Alto so that it now features a smaller garage, enhanced tree protection and additional measures to encourage alternatives to driving.It includes five different designs for the garage, as well as new restrictions on the number of school events a source of consternation for some of the school's neighbors. I cant but help think that if Casti truly feels it is so important to increase the number of young women benefiting from their education, Casti would want to move to a location where they can grow and not limit this wonderful opportunity to only 540 young women. . I am one of the Casti supporters who stayed up way too late to speak at the meeting last night. Castilleja School Photo #6 - Sophomores tackle chemistry class. It would be great to somehow put both those issues to rest. Well have to continue to deliberate.. A shuttle would then bring them to the campus.While project critics, including members of the group PNQLNow, have advocated for such a program, the revised plans are unlikely to satisfy all their concerns. It's short-sighted, selfish, and embarrassing. Almost three years of construction-related traffic will jam Embarcadero, already a clogged artery at key times of the day. Founded in 1907 by educator Mary Lockey, Castilleja is the only St. Paul's seeks applications from candidates who will promote the School's commitment to attracting and retaining a highly talented and diverse faculty. [8] She was encouraged by Stanford's first president, David Starr Jordan, to start a school that would offer girls a comprehensive, college preparatory education. Two board members, Chair Osma Thompson and Grace Lee said that the previously approved project remains perfectly acceptable. Time to read: about 5 minutes. I know the value of this education, as my daughter was fortunate enough to have gone there for 7 years. Because the PTC spent a long time asking the planning officials how they made decisions, how they determined whether to move a project from "pending" to "ongoing" to "completed," noting that some "completed" items got moved back to pending and ongoing. And for what? Best All-Girls High Schools in California, Best College Prep Private High Schools in California. Staff's preferred design combines these underground spaces with 11 new at-grade spaces and 26 existing ones for a total of 89 spaces. News . Andie Reed, one of the group's co-founders, noted that even the revised project includes elements that residents have consistently deemed to be problematic namely, an underground garage that many believe is incompatible with the neighborhood. A minus. Castilleja also remains true to the 5 C's - conscience, We've always known that this is a compromise and we are just so ready to get this done.". I recently started as a 6th grader, and so far, my school experience has been..out of this world. For more information, please contact the school. Privacy Policy This option would be a gift to the greater neighborhood surrounding the school and to the health and safety of their students. As Castilleja's land use attorney, my role has been two-fold: (i) to advise the school on the complex legal parameters within which Castilleja's goals for sustainable growth must be contained; and (ii) to counsel the school as they received feedback from and sought compromise with stakeholders. "The TDM plan has been further enhanced and is expected to result in reduced parking demand. It's a game of pay-to-play musical chairs, with more people constantly being added, but basically the same number of chairs then only the wealthiest players can afford a seat and everyone acts surprised that prices keep skyrocketing. In 1907, Mary Lockey opened the doors to Castilleja School to pursue a revolutionary ideato provide young women with the educational opportunities needed to seek a college education. "The other two alternatives with 52 underground spaces have drawbacks that make them either less feasible or less desirable. It is calculated using the reported number of students and full-time equivalent teachers. While its plans call for increasing student enrollment, the project would actually constitute a reduction in total building area, according to planning staff. "The project encountered a similar division at the Architectural Review Board hearing on Dec. 2, which focused less on transportation and more on the design of the building. Many of these community complaints would be solved if the community wasn't also so opposed to building more (and denser) housing in Palo Alto. Express / Weekend Express Uploaded: Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:43 am Please include any comments on: The Harker School vs. Castilleja School Varsity Womens' Basketball. 2023 Palo Alto Online. Compare Castilleja School to Other Schools. If some people thought those speeches are unnecessary, they are probably against having the school in Palo Alto in general or else they don't understand the point of the school's proposed modernization. "The planning commission, which had already reviewed and approved an earlier version of this plan, is expected to dive into the details of the current one at its upcoming meeting." In response to the writer above who asks "how can there be 'no new traffic'?" Two board members, Chair Osma Thompson and Grace Lee said that the previously approved project remains perfectly acceptable. "Does it seem to you that this is going to bite us in the rear when we look at this project in the future and ask, 'Why did we make a big deal out of this minor difference in underground parking?'" Castilleja School would see its floor area reduce to 128,687 square feet under its revised modernization plan at its Palo Alto campus. In 2019, the school submitted plans to rebuild most of its campus, which calls for demolishing and rebuilding three buildings on its campus, relocating the swimming pool and adding an underground parking structure.The school's modernization plans have polarized the Professorville and Old Palo Alto neighborhoods, with some residents panning Castilleja's construction plan as a colossal overreach and an affront on the surrounding single-family neighborhood, and others calling a sorely needed upgrade for an acclaimed institution dedicated to educating young women. Privacy Policy of students and parents agree that the teachers give engaging lessons. Plain and simple. Council has to decide on whether we want to have this kind of intensification of use in this location, DuBois said. The school, which charges an annual tuition of $52,000, has 426 students and hopes to enroll 540 once the expansion is finished. What sports does Castilleja School offer? Nanci enjoys travel, concerts, theatre, tennis and golf. Another member of the public said a garage would invite more traffic. Terms of Use Home & Real Estate Obituaries It has 416 students in grades 6-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 7 to 1. Dont worry I wont hold my breath waiting for you to take action. Get daily headlines sent straight to your inbox in our Express newsletter. You judge: 5. The report further states: At an enrollment of 540 students, the analysis using the schools parking data concludes that on an average day there would be adequate parking. It was then that I recognized the unique potential of an all-girls learning environment to empower young womento find their voices. Related Articles Castilleja School Photo #9 - The Class of 2013 is all smiles at the splish-splash party! "We take cars off the street, we save additional trees, we reduce our footprint, we exceed Palo Alto's sustainability goals and we educate more girls. Bryant is a bicycle boulevard and care has been taken over many years to create a street that is hospitable to bikers of all ages and genders. The school tweeted, "Castilleja School is committed to creating an anti-racist curriculum and making space for difficult conversations about racism." . Finding the right school for your child is a major project. Vandermade, a graduate of Mater Dei-Santa Ana and the . We are proud and humbled to bring together highly-motivated, intellectually curious young women from diverse backgrounds to collaborate within our community. "Barring intergenerational wealth or a very high-earning spouse, I struggle to see how teachers (or most families in the bay area) could afford to live anywhere near Castilleja. Redwood City Pulse, 2023 Palo Alto Online And if it is accurate that Casti added the garage to the plan only b/c neighbors requested it, why not remove it now so that the modernization can begin? Castilleja School. Not recognizing the impact to traffic, safety issues for bike boulevard, taking old trees out, and not even thinking about the impact of this project with the Churchill proposal. This is all at a time when accommodations such as Castilleja is seeking need to be made for "overriding public needs" such as affordable housing, which the Castilleja property would be an excellent home for! Castilleja School is a top rated, private, all-girls school located in PALO ALTO, CA. Castilleja needs to modernize. If they were, this whole long mess could have been avoided. Coach one after school team each season and fitness classes during the . I hope that Palo Alto City Council will press for safety over the desires of the elites who want their cozy Palo Alto location. [5], In 1910, the school moved to its present location at 1310 Bryant Street, and the first structure was the administration building, designed by architect Roy C. Heald in American Craftman style. [citation needed], Castilleja is recognized as the 18th best private high school and the #2 girls high school in the United States by Niche.com in their 2023 rankings. At Castilleja we believe in an equitable, respectful, and inclusive community. I felt known and loved by the small community, pursued new interests, and was challenged and supported academically. Please, I implore readers to understand the facts, and give Castilleja the chance to educate more young women AND abide by the strict limits spelled out in the proposed new CUP. He said the council would like to explore whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the schools goals. Jul 2010 - Present12 years 7 months. While Castilleja has maintained that it added the garage to its plans at the behest of neighbors who wanted cars off the street, Levitsky and other members of the neighborhood group suggested on Wednesday that the facility remains incompatible with the surrounding community. In previous meetings, PNQL members have stated that they're fine with the enrollment increase as long as the garage isn't built. Print Edition/Archives Schools deserve to be in neighborhoods. Palo Altos government officials should make a decision ASAP so that a storied Palo Alto educational institution can finally start the process of bringing its campus into the 21st century. Very bad timing on this report. You are complaining about construction for a year or two, but what about construction for affordable housing in your neighborhood with underground parking? "If Castilleja really wants 500 to 600 students, it's time to move or open another campus like so many others do. Ron DeSantis apocalyptic attack on higher education. [3][4], Castilleja was founded in 1907 by Mary Ishbel Lockey. This is AMAZING. PALO ALTO Castilleja School's proposed expansion, a sore subject among neighbors who have been fighting it for years, has hit another roadblock. ", "There is no reason for the underground garage," Reed said. [11], In 2016, Castilleja announced its intentions to build an underground parking garage and upgrade and replace buildings to increase enrollment to 540 students. At peak demand, there would be a small shortage in parking (10 vehicles) that could be addressed through valet parking. Because of its aggressive transportation-demand-management program, which includes shuttles, carpool programs and a requirement that staff drive no more than twice per week, Castilleja would also receive a 14% reduction in parking requirement from the city. Uploaded: Wed, Dec 1, 2021, 3:03 pm of students and parents agree that the teachers adequately lead and control the classroom. Home & Real Estate heart." The mess resulting from the expansions will represent a major hit to the city's quality of life, particularly for the several thousand residents living in the neighborhoods closest to the school. A&E The opposition to this project keep referring it to a large scale expansion and that Castilleja wants bigger buildings. Otherwise, they would have to build a smaller structure and pay hundreds of thousands to redesign it to comply with the codes. Kauffman said Castilleja has followed the citys process every step of the way and been working with staff for quite a long time. She said there appears to be a lack of trust between the council and staff and wondered whether this process would be a lot less challenging if there were more trust to the work that has been done.. Threatening the well-being of protected oaks and redwoods; Castilleja School Photo #8 - Seniors show off their school spirit! "Castilleja operates under a CUP (conditional use permit) which is a privilege and not an entitlement," Sylvester said. @Online Name - It's worth noting that 21% of Castilleja students receive tuition assistance, so the students are clearly *not* all from wealthy families who you implied could easily afford to live in PA but choose not to. Sign up for the Peninsula Foodist newsletter. As such, it is "anticipated to have fewer impacts on protected trees and construction-related disturbances," according to a new report from the Department of Planning and Community Environment. I firmly support Castillejas right to update its campus. We've always known that this is a compromise and we are just so ready to get this done.". It includes five different designs for the garage, as well as new restrictions on the number of school events a source of consternation for some of the school's neighbors. These activities, which would be relegated to the underground garage in the original proposal, would now take place in designated loading areas in the Emerson parking lot. Its on Casti to prove its case. "We don't need a CO2-belching industrial concrete garage in our neighborhood," Levinsky told the commission. PR MediaRelease Whether you are a prospective student, a current parent, a colleague, or an alum, this website is designed to provide you with the news and information you need to understand who we are. As such, it is "anticipated to have fewer impacts on protected trees and construction-related disturbances," according to a new report from the Department of Planning and Community Environment. Despite Monday nights setback, Kauffman said she will continue fighting for a project that is on the right side of history. In response to DuBois comments, she said the school isnt going anywhere. All rights reserved. Years from now Palo Altans will be proud.. Scott Adams faces 'consequence culture' as U.S. newspapers drop Dilbert, Tom Cruise's 'ditching' of Suri showcased by Judd Apatow's 'co-parenting' joke, ex-Scientology exec says. Stanford and Paly populations dwarf Castilleja and it is those commuters that impact Embarcadero. There aren't endless acres of undeveloped, properly zoned/approved PA land, just waiting for more single family homes to be built - we need to build many more duplexes, triplexes, apartments, etc, on the finite amount of land we have. [10], The school's core values, known as "the 5 Cs," include conscience, courtesy, character, courage, and charity. "Castilleja operates under a CUP (conditional use permit) which is a privilege and not an entitlement," Sylvester said. At Castilleja, she taught in the History and Social Sciences department for seven years, and served as the interim Middle School Head for a semester. And I say BRING ON the improvements, the modernization, the garage and the carbon-footprint improvements. Education | If the school fails to meet its trip cap numbers, it would also establish a "Kiss n' Ride" program that allows parents to drop off and pick up their children at an off-site location about 15 minutes before school starts. [11][12] In 1926, the Castilleja chapel was designed by architect Birge Clark, in a complimentary design to the existing administration building. Everyone in Palo Alto will be affected, including emergency responders. Home The faculty consists of approximately 70 full-time and part-time women and men. Enough is enough. ChatGPT is fascinating and alarming educational professionals. "They must take into account the impact they make in the health, welfare and quiet enjoyment of their neighbors.". And Online Name is right to be skeptical about the no new trips claim. I invite you to subdivide your lot and build a low income unit. "If Castilleja really wants 500 to 600 students, it's time to move or open another campus like so many others do.". Just so sad that the City has really allowed this to drag on. The projects density isnt relevant, Kauffman said, adding that whats relevant is its impact. Another area Casti lacks in is advanced songwriting or music production offerings, though a student wanting to pursue these would surely be supported in trying to get that class made. TheSixFifty.com Castelleja has been over their enrollment limit for just under twenty years, they shouldnt be allowed to expand as a reward for not holding up their end of the bargain. The school's modernization plans have polarized the Professorville and Old Palo Alto neighborhoods, with some residents panning Castilleja's construction plan as a colossal overreach and an affront on the surrounding single-family neighborhood, and others calling a sorely needed upgrade for an acclaimed institution dedicated to educating young women. Because Castilleja needs to provide at least 104 parking spaces to be zone complaint, this means no more than 52 can be below grade, according to staff. That speaks to negligence; WHY they weren't given the complete set raises ethical questions and as well as the long-standing question about staff's seemingly consistent bias in favor of the big-money projects. Even in its revised form, an underground garage has no business being in a residential neighborhood, critics of the project maintained. Mountain View Voice That's why the school has instituted and proposed an extraordinarily extensive list of TDM measures, so that no additional traffic can burden the neighborhood. This time it's in the form of a planned. 3. Thompson also suggested that the building, in its current iteration, "has a design intent. Fehr & Peers have monitored the peak period generation, on- site parking, and on-street parking adjacent to the school since 2012. Mask stepped down as the head coach at Pell City High . Your contribution matters. "It's often called an 'expansion,' but the footprint would be smaller.". When added to 26 surface spaces that currently exist and that would remain, Scheme E creates a total of 89 spaces. Rob Levitsky, who lives near Castilleja, sees the situation differently. placed on academic development, Castilleja is just as committed to Visitor Info, Send News Tips If approved, the underground garage would have 24 fewer spaces than the structure that was previously proposed. Elizabeth Hughes, a consultant who developed the transportation-demand-management plan for Castilleja, assured the commission and the public that the programs in the plan will keep traffic levels steady. It also includes measures that require Castilleja to prove that its transportation measures are effective before it can gradually increase enrollment from the current level of 422 students to 540. Please come back!". I bet you wouldn't be able to fight that project! [9] In its early years, some boys were allowed to take classes at Castilleja. MOBILE, Ala. - Well it looks like Theodore football has found their guy.Steve Mask has accepted the head coaching position with the Bobcats. , critics of the elites who want their cozy Palo Alto, CA whats relevant its... I felt known and loved by the small community, pursued new interests and. Classes during the the right school for your child is a major project daily headlines sent straight to your in! Whether there are slightly less ambitious alternatives to accomplishing the Schools goals that impact Embarcadero there be 'no traffic... The elites who want their cozy Palo Alto, CA this expansion if it does nothing community! `` it 's time to move or open another campus like so many others do ) that could addressed... New traffic '? we believe in an equitable, respectful, and on-street parking adjacent to the writer who. 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This to drag on then that i recognized the unique potential of an all-girls learning environment to young... & E the opposition to this project keep referring castilleja head of school to a large expansion! California, best college Prep Private High Schools in California find their.! Of their students no reason for the underground garage, '' Reed said a low income unit asks `` can. Has a design intent that is on the right school for your child is a top rated Private! To rest that impact Embarcadero Castilleja was founded in 1907 by Mary Ishbel Lockey the small community pursued... Be skeptical about the no new trips claim to speak at the splish-splash party garage and the carbon-footprint..
