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Bowman School

United States, Palo Alto

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The school at a glance
Fees $48,825
Ages 0 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1995
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Taught languages Mandarin, Spanish, Latin
Typical class size 10
Strengths Performing Arts, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Leadership and Professional, Community and Service
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Elementary, Middle School, Secondary School, High School
Introduction

Bowman School is a nonprofit, non-denominational, co-educational institution serving ages 0 to 18 with two Palo Alto campuses. Bowman East houses the Main Office, Lower Elementary through Secondary classrooms, a library, a music room, a world language room, and a fully equipped Home Economics space; Bowman West hosts the Children's House, an art classroom, woodshop, technology room, the IDEA Lab science facility, a theater, a gym, an amphitheater, and a garden. The campuses are connected by a walking/biking trail and shared garden that anchor its practical life curriculum. The Montessori method with a spiral, experiential approach builds critical thinking through sensory exploration and guided discovery, linking disciplines with a global perspective and a year-round, accredited 12 weeks to 12th grade Montessori program. For secondary students, Bowman offers the IB Middle Years Programme and Diploma Programme. Signature features include Band, Orchestra, Theater, immersive world languages, and a commitment to global citizenship.

The Essentials

Bowman School has typical class sizes of 10.

Location
Bowman School is in Palo Alto, California, with campuses at Bowman East (4000 Terman Drive), Bowman West (693 Arastradero Road), Bowman Page Mill (835 Page Mill Road), and Bowman Bayshore (3801 East Bayshore Road).

Stages
Nido (12 weeks–2 years 9 months); Children's House (2 years 9 months–6 years); Lower Elementary (K–Grade 3); Upper Elementary (Grades 4–5); Middle Years Programme (Grades 6–10); Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).

Type
Montessori school (non-denominational, co-educational, nonprofit).

Religious affiliation
Non-denominational
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
Bowman School is a non-profit organization. The Board of Trustees sets school policy, oversees the financial well-being of the school, and is responsible for long-range planning. Bowman is non-denominational and co-educational.
Fees

Annual tuition at Bowman School ranges from USD 48,825 for 2026/27.

Tuition (2026–2027 school year)
- Annual tuition: USD 48,825 for the 12-month program. The annual tuition covers the full-year program (year‑round) with program hours stated as 7:30 AM–6:00 PM.
- Inclusions: The annual tuition includes all school supplies and materials, local field trips, and one annual camping trip.

Application fee
- Application fee: Not stated publicly by the school. The school processes admissions through the Ravenna application system.

Tuition by year group and per‑term detail
- Published rate: The school publishes a single annual tuition rate (USD 48,825) for the 2026–2027 school year; a per‑grade or per‑division (Primary/Elementary/Secondary) tuition schedule is not published publicly. The school describes its program as serving ages 12 weeks through Grade 12, delivered as an integrated 12‑month program.
- Per‑term amounts: The school does not publish per‑term or per‑semester tuition figures publicly; only the single annual rate is provided.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Billing schedule and payment terms (due dates, installment options, penalties, enrollment deposit amounts, withdrawal timelines): Not published publicly. The school references tuition and a limited tuition assistance fund but does not provide a publicly posted billing calendar or detailed payment‑term policy on the admissions pages.

Boarding / residential fees
- Boarding: Not applicable. Bowman operates a day program (year‑round day hours given as 7:30 AM–6:00 PM) and does not publish any boarding or residential programs or boarding fees.

Other costs and fees
- School supplies and basic materials: Included in the published annual tuition.
- Uniforms: No uniform fee or uniform requirement is published publicly.
- Optional/extra costs (e.g., specialty activities, after‑school enrichment, instrument rental, external exam fees): Specific optional fees are not published on the public admissions/affording pages. Individual program or activity fees may exist but are not listed in the publicly posted tuition overview.

Refund information
- Refund policy (enrollment withdrawal refunds, tuition refunds, prorating, forfeiture of deposits): Not published publicly on the admissions or affording pages. No specific refund schedule or policy text is provided in the public fee summary.

Fee payment options
- Parent/Family portal: A parent portal (Veracross) is listed for family access and likely for account management.
- Accepted payment methods (credit card, ACH/bank transfer, check, wire): Specific payment methods accepted are not published on the public admissions or affording pages.

Tuition assistance and assessment
- Tuition assistance: A limited tuition assistance fund is available for families who demonstrate financial need. The school uses School and Student Services (SSS) to assess financial need; the school reports that families receiving aid typically receive an average of about USD 5,000–8,000 and that approximately 19% of students receive some level of assistance.

Brief summary of missing/publicly unavailable fee details
- The school's public admissions and affording pages provide a single published annual tuition figure for 2026–2027 and detail what that tuition includes, but they do not publish: a stated application fee amount, a per‑grade or per‑term tuition schedule, a published billing calendar or payment‑term policy (installments, due dates, or late penalties), detailed refund/withdrawal terms, itemized optional fees, or the specific payment methods accepted. Where an item above is described as “not published publicly,” that reflects the absence of that detail on the school's public admissions and affording pages.
Academics

Bowman School teaches Montessori Curriculum, IB (MYP), IB (DP) for students aged 0 to 18.

Curriculum
Bowman follows the Montessori method with a spiral approach to learning that stimulates critical thinking and curiosity. Learning is experiential, with students engaging their senses to explore the work and then drawing conclusions with guidance from teachers. The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary study, linking subjects through a global perspective. The world is studied in histories, cultures, languages, geography, and cooking projects focused on the continents of study for the year. As students grow, they deepen global studies to foster understanding and appreciation for other countries and cultures, building true global citizenship. Adolescents manage meaningful projects in six-week increments, and Bowman offers an accredited 12 weeks to 12th grade Montessori program, operating year-round.

Student Teacher Ratio
Bowman maintains a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Multi-age classrooms support collaborative, age-appropriate learning.

Higher Education Progression
The school emphasizes preparing for life beyond Bowman so students can continue to thrive wherever they go after Bowman.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Social-Emotional Learning is integrated through two simple rules: respect others and respect things; mediation and conflict resolution support peaceful classrooms; classrooms are interconnected communities that promote social growth; students develop caring, helpful, and empathetic relationships within both classroom and school communities.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Teachers develop a personal understanding of each student's unique learning needs and guide students in small, multi-age classrooms.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The World Language curriculum includes Mandarin, Spanish, and Latin.

Mental Wellbeing
Wellness is an integrated part of daily life, including personal, physical, social and emotional, and community wellness. Healthy habits support development and academic success.
Parent Experience

History
Bowman School was founded in 1995 as Children's International School (CIS) by a group of concerned and entrepreneurial parents and educators. The founders sought to create a unique non-profit school with an individualized, self-directed academic program, to expand the concept of community and citizenship to a global level, to integrate state-of-the-art technology into the curriculum, to contribute to educational choice and innovation in schooling, and to support the work-life needs of families. In 2003 the school purchased its permanent home and changed its name to Bowman International School in honor of Margaret Bowman Ricks, the founding Head of School. Bowman has grown across multiple campuses and programs, including the 12 weeks–12th grade Montessori path, Bowman West (opened 2019), Bowman East revitalization (2021) and the launch of Grades 9–12 at Page Mill in 2023, with infant/toddler expansion planned for 2025. Bowman is a non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational institution.

Community
Bowman fosters a connected community through annual events for the whole family, including Fall Festival, All-School Ice Skating, All-School Dance, and an International Fair that celebrates cultures studied each year. Service learning and Hive Days engage students with their wider community, offering outside service or cultural activities and requiring 20 hours of service for 8th graders before graduation. Parents participate through the Bowman Community Association (BCA) to volunteer at community events.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Bowman has a Bowman Community Association (BCA) that serves as a liaison for parents and volunteers at community events.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Bowman School operates on two Palo Alto campuses, East and West. The East campus houses the Main Office, playground, field, outdoor classroom, and classrooms for Lower Elementary through Secondary grades, along with a Home Economics room, library, music room, and world language room. The West campus includes a trail, art classroom, woodshop, technology room, science lab (IDEA Lab), amphitheater, gymnasium, and theater, plus a Children's House classroom, a secondary collaboration space, and a garden. A walking/biking trail connects the two campuses, and the garden is an integral part of the practical life curriculum.

Sports Facilities
Bowman has a gymnasium on the West campus for on-site sports practices, school-wide activities, and community events. An outdoor field on the East campus supports running, outdoor play, and sports during free play and Late Day. The outdoor amphitheater provides space for gatherings and performances related to athletics and student life. A walking/biking trail connects the two campuses, encouraging active transportation between spaces.

Academic Facilities
Academic spaces include Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Secondary classrooms on the East campus, plus a Children's House classroom on the West campus. The Home Economics Room provides a fully furnished kitchen, fiber arts workspace, washer/dryer, and a demonstration bench. The Library supports student research and reading for study and pleasure. The Music Room houses a wide variety of instruments, and the World Language Room offers immersive lessons in world languages and cultures. The Art Classroom, Woodshop, Technology Room, and Science Lab (first floor of the IDEA Lab) support hands-on learning across arts, design, and science.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Athletics: Bowman offers a wide range of sports for fifth- through eighth-year students as part of the Small Schools Intermediate League (SSIL). Sports include cross country, flag football, volleyball, golf, basketball, soccer, tennis, and bowling. Band & Orchestra: The program supports performing arts as a vehicle for development, with skills like hand-eye coordination, memory, pattern recognition, and social benefits like self-esteem. Clubs: Students can organize clubs; clubs must present to Student Council; the council ensures clubs are just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Theater: Theater program provides opportunities to build communication, collaboration, and creativity; students participate in directing, choreography, costume design, sets and props, sound and lighting cues, and artwork for the sets. Student Council: A volunteer-based opportunity for Upper Elementary and Secondary; council supports the school with problem solving and ensures community is connected and inclusive; council reviews club applications.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Bowman runs the Middle Years Programme (grades 6–10) and the Diploma Programme (grades 11–12) within the IB framework. The MYP develops creative, critical, and reflective thinkers and emphasizes inquiry, project work, and global citizenship. The Diploma Programme provides a rigorous, internationally recognized curriculum across six subject groups and core components Theory of Knowledge, Creativity, Activity, and Service, and the Extended Essay, with options for the Diploma or a Course Certificate. College and Career Advising supports students as they plan their next steps.

Arts & Creative
Band & Orchestra and Theater are offered as part of Bowman's arts program. The performing arts provide opportunities for creative expression and support skills such as memory, hand–eye coordination, and cooperation. Theater involves directing, choreography, costume design, sets and props, sound and lighting cues, and related artwork. These programs foster self-expression, collaboration, and presentation skills.

Social & Hobbies
Students can organize clubs, which must be approved by the student council to ensure fairness and inclusivity. Bowman Student Council is a volunteer-based opportunity open to Upper Elementary and Secondary, supporting community projects and reviewing club applications. Theater and athletics also provide social and recreational outlets, enriching student life.

Community & Service
Eight grade students are required to complete 20 hours of service outside Bowman's campus prior to receiving their diploma. The MYP includes Service as Action as part of Projects & Inquiry, encouraging students to engage with the world. Student involvement in community projects is supported by the Bowman Student Council.

Leadership & Professional
Bowman Student Council offers leadership opportunities for Upper Elementary and Secondary students; the council reviews club applications and helps ensure a connected, inclusive community. College & Career Advising guides students through planning and choices for post-secondary education within the IB framework.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Athletics offers a wide range of sports for fifth- through eighth-year students, and Bowman is a member of the Small Schools Intermediate League (SSIL), competing in cross country, flag football, volleyball, golf, basketball, soccer, tennis, and bowling. These programs support physical health and teamwork as part of student well-being.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction. Spanish and Mandarin are taught through World Language instruction, with Spanish I–III and Mandarin I–III. DP Spanish ab initio and IB Spanish B (SL/HL) are offered, as are DP Chinese ab initio and IB Chinese B (SL/HL).
Admissions

Admissions
1. The admissions approach: Every application is reviewed with care by a committee of teachers and administrators. We consider each child's academic, social and emotional readiness, along with how Bowman can best support their growth. During the shadow visit, our teachers and admissions team observe your child's learning, interactions, and developmental readiness. Bowman is committed to building a diverse, inclusive community where every child and family feels welcome. 2. Steps to apply: Bowman partners with Ravenna for our admissions process. Ravenna walks applicants through scheduling a tour, submitting an application, and requesting teacher recommendations and school records as needed. Explore the admissions process for your child's level and learn what to expect at each step of the journey. Level-specific timelines include Primary (12 Weeks - 6 Years), Elementary (Grades K - 5), and Secondary (Grades 6 - 12). 3. Next steps and contact: For questions, the admissions team will schedule a phone call or meeting at a convenient time. The team can clarify any step in the admissions journey and provide guidance tailored to the family's needs. Bowman welcomes inquiries and is committed to supporting families through the enrollment process.

Scholarships
Bowman offers a limited tuition assistance fund for families who demonstrate financial need. Financial need is assessed through School and Student Services (SSS), which considers income, net worth, housing costs, and cost of living. On average, families receive between $5,000 and $8,000 in financial aid, and about 19% of students receive some level of assistance.
School Events
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