Since 1955, over 5,000 students have graduated from Kirk House Preschool in Menlo Park. As the school celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, Kirk House shows appreciation for the devoted community that has supported the school through times of struggle.
Kirk House Preschool is a ministry of Menlo Church, which has served the community for over 150 years. For generations, the local preschool has embraced the “old fashioned” style of childcare, resembling a neighborhood home where families know that their child will be loved and cared for while also well educated, said Director of Kirk House Ruth Esteverena.
With a small student population and low student-to-teacher ratio in classrooms, Kirk House is able to connect with their students and form a relationship that carries beyond the child’s preschool years.
Geri Boegner has been teaching at Kirk House for 35 years and has had the honor of teaching the children of her former students from decades before. She said the preschool’s “sense of community” is what makes it unique.
“Kirk House has been a wonderful blessing in my life,” said Boenger. “I’ve had the opportunity to touch many lives and the children and their families have blessed me immeasurably.”
The decades-old preschool uses play-based learning to help children gain social, emotional and verbal skills. Administrators say this helps kids gain confidence in speaking up for themselves, collaborating with other students and teaches them patience. While the school still maintains its play-based curriculum, Boenger said it has become more academically focused over the years.
By developing these skills in preschool, Kirk House students are “ready to hit the ground running” in their kindergarten years and are able to be more academic focused, said Esteverena.
Among the many skills preschools learn, Boenger believes that kindness is the most important.
Adjusting to low enrollment
As of the 2025-26 school year, transitional kindergarten is now fully implemented in California public schools. Private preschools across the country have been struggling with lower enrollment rates as a result — and Kirk House is no exception.
“It’s been a rough time in early childhood education,” said Esteverena.
The state’s TK program allows for all 4-year-olds to enroll into public school giving families the opportunity to enroll their child for free early childhood education.
Kirk House, which previously enrolled students from the ages of 3 to 5 years old has shifted its teaching model to include 2-year-olds. By offering care and education to younger students, the 70-year-old preschool has been able to stay afloat. Despite the dip in numbers from the COVID-19 pandemic and universal TK, “enrollment is very strong for the 2025-26 school year,” said Esteverena.
She adds that the school is able to thrive because there are still families that seek faith-based schools and appreciate smaller classroom settings. Kirk House also has a strong community that is dedicated to supporting the school.
As a teacher, Boegner said it’s been a learning experience to adjust to a classroom with 2-year-olds who are still learning to speak and practice patience. Regardless of any challenges, Boegner loves that “kids are real, honest and full of love.”
“They’re just ready to be human and experience whatever they want to experience at the moment, without stopping to think about what others might think about,” she said.
70th anniversary celebration
In honor of Kirk House Preschool’s 70th anniversary, the school will be hosting a festival on Saturday, April 26, from 3:30-6 p.m. at 1148 Johnson St. in Menlo Park. The free event is part of Menlo Church’s “Hope for Everyone” campaign and invites the entire community to join.
According to Esteverena, the school will have giant inflatable slides, a petting zoo, miniature train rides, face painting, a Mister Softee ice cream truck and a visit from a Menlo Park Fire Department truck.
Kirk House also encourages prospective families to join as it will be giving tours of the preschool
For more information on the event visit kirkhousepreschool.org/70th-anniversary.