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Realtors are Ambassadors for the Schools, according to Menlo-Atherton High School Principal


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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

It's no secret that for many families the school district is the most important and often, the crucial factor, in deciding where to purchase a home. Menlo-Atherton High School Principal Matthew Zito told members of SILVAR's Menlo Park/Atherton District early this week. He acknowledged good schools, public as well as private, abound Silicon Valley and he asked Realtors to promote the local high school to their clients.

The Menlo-Atherton High School has much history and has made great strides the past few years. The high school was designated a 2007 California Distinguished School and awarded maximum six-year accreditation term. The school has begun construction of a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, initiated a formal professional development program for teachers, and is focusing on efforts to reduce class size.

Yet misconceptions of Menlo-Atherton High School continue to exist and Zito proceeded to debunk them. Zito said Menlo-Atherton High School has a cross section of students from the highest economic class and the lowest economic class, noting the community "is an affluent area, but with great poverty."

Menlo-Atherton High School provides a safe and supportive environment. "It is a real world school, which is truly diverse and representative of 21st Century California," said Zito. "The school prepares you for the real world; the world beyond high school."

Menlo-Atherton High School's population of nearly 2,000 students is comprised of 42 percent Caucasian; 30 percent Hispanic; 6 percent African American; 5 percent Asian. Zito indicated it's an advantage for students to learn to mix and thrive in a diverse setting within the school's safe and supportive environment.

"Better now than be bewildered about economic and racial differences later, as they are thrown into the real world," he noted.

"The great advantage to Menlo/Atherton sometimes represents a disadvantage," said Zito. Yet he stressed, most important of all, "in Menlo/Atherton, there is a place for everyone. There is something for everyone."

The high school principal then reported a number of notable academic achievements in 2007: three National Merit Semifinalists, 16 commended students, two National Hispanic Honorees; 14 Advanced Placement courses were offered and in the Spring of 2007, 830 AP tests were taken by 370 students – 82 percent passed with scores of 3 or higher and 23 percent received a maximum score of 5; all student groups have improved API (Academic Performance Index) scores over the past five years; 96 percent of graduates continue their education. This year 10 opted to attend Stanford and 31 percent attend University of California schools.

A number of SILVAR Realtors whose children attended the school and whose clients' children attended Menlo-Atherton High School shared stories about their good experiences and later success in college.

"You are a great community resource. We are partners in the truest sense. You in the real estate industry are, in essence, our ambassadors," Zito told Silicon Valley Realtors.


The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.

The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.

Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.

For further information, please contact Rose Meily at SILVAR Public Affairs, email , or phone (408) 200-0109.

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