Menlo Park regularly reviews its curriculum in light of new California Curriculum Frameworks. All students receive the core curriculum. All classes are staffed with teachers holding appropriate credentials for their teaching assignments. Teachers who serve as substitutes in Encinal classrooms must have passed the California Basic Skills Examination and possess a valid California teaching credential which has been registered at the County Office. By District contract, all permanent teachers are evaluated every two years, and every non-tenured employee is evaluated at least three times each year.
Administrators participate in ongoing inservice to refine skills in supervision.
The District values teachers and administrators professional development as a source and stimulant of student growth and achievement, and as an ongoing process of personal growth, learning, and satisfaction for the individual staff member. Professional development opportunities are provided to Encinal School staff. In addition to attendance at courses, conferences, and Thursday Restructured Day opportunities for collaborative planning and curriculum development, the systematic programs of observation and analysis of teaching are integral parts of staff improvement activities. Support services for teachers are also provided through the state-funded Mentor Teacher Program. The language arts and math curricula were the focus of study and assessment in all grades this year.