Glorida Dei, which translates to "the glory of God," was founded in 1963, and the church building was created in 1965. The Gloria Dei School was established in 1970 and the completion of the current school building followed in 1978. Tucked behind trees that provide a barrier from busy Ralston Avenue in the Belmont hills, those arriving to the church and school by car must follow signs through a winding road and even basketball courts to reach the end.
The school teaches children in kindergarten through 5th grade, and before and aftercare programs are offered.
The NDNU Early Learning Center is located on the Notre Dame de Namur University campus, across from the elementary school. It uses Montessori methods, and its curriculum promotes learning while having fun. The back of the center opens up to a secure area with lots of room to play in the grass or the jungle gym. Hours vary depending on time of year so it's best to call for an appointment. This area of NDNU is closed to visitors before 4pm, to protect the children.
Cipriani Elementary School is one of six elementary schools in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District, and one of the four in Belmont. Cipriani Elementary feeds into Ralston Middle School, which follows the same core curriculum as Cipriani - language arts, math, science, history/social science, foreign language, health and visual and performing arts. Parents may become involved in a number of activities, including the adopt-a-book program, field trips, the hot lunch program and in the classroom. The school has 16 classrooms, a library, a multipurpose room and administrative offices, which were built in 1954 and modernized between 1994 and 2004.
