Welcome, neighbor.
Strong schools make strong communities — and these are your schools.
The Las Lomitas Education Foundation has supported exceptional public education in Atherton, Menlo Park, and the surrounding Woodside and Portola Valley foothills for more than 40 years. Your investment helps keep these schools among California's best.
Tax-deductible contributions at any level are welcome.
Tax ID #94-2952818
Join us at our spring auction, donate an item, or sponsor this year's event!
121
Years of community-led education
1,150+
Students served
by LLESD
$2,500
Funding gap per student
40+
Years LLEF has served the community
Exceptional Public Education Doesn't Fund Itself
If you live, work, or own property here, the Las Lomitas Elementary School District (LLESD) is part of your community.
The district has served this community for 121 years — and is consistently ranked among California's best. Most funding comes from state and local property taxes. But tax funding leaves a gap of $2,500 per student, every year.
The Las Lomitas Education Foundation (LLEF) has bridged that gap for more than 40 years — funded entirely by community investment from neighbors, businesses, and local families.
Without LLEF: no smaller class sizes. No full-time arts and music specialists. No mental health counseling, innovative STEM programs, or ongoing teacher development. These aren't extras. They're what makes our schools exceptional.
"Strong schools don’t just benefit students, they benefit all of us. Neighborhoods with high‑performing schools consistently enjoy stronger property values, greater community engagement, and a shared sense of pride. When our schools thrive, our entire community thrives."
- John McGrory, LLEF President & CEO of ClassOne Insight
Why This Community Invests in Our Schools
Safer, more stable neighborhoods
High-performing schools are one of the strongest predictors of neighborhood safety and stability. Strong schools mean lower crime, stronger social fabric, and neighborhoods where people look out for each other.
Real impact on property values
Homes in top-ranked school districts command measurably higher prices and hold their value better over time. Whether you own or rent, that stability shapes everyone's quality of life.
A community people stay in
Strong schools attract engaged families and keep them here, bringing the continuity and civic investment that makes a neighborhood feel like home for everyone.
Good for local business
Thriving schools draw families who shop locally and support neighborhood services. They also signal to employers and newcomers that this is a stable, desirable place to put down roots.
Staying competitive in the region
The Peninsula is home to some of California's most well-resourced communities. LLEF's community funding is what keeps Las Lomitas — and this neighborhood — at the top.
Tax-deductible contributions at any level are welcome.
Tax ID #94-2952818
Join us at our spring auction, donate an item, or sponsor this year's event!
"As Superintendent, I am extraordinarily proud of the education we provide in LLESD, but I am also clear about what makes it possible. We could not offer the breadth, depth, or quality of this educational experience without the partnership and generosity of LLEF and our community."
Erik Burmeister, Superintendent, Las Lomitas Elementary School District
