Students with Children

Information for Students With Children

Quick Links

• Childcare & Education
• Community Gardens
• Family Programs & Events
• Graduate Academic Policies & Procedures
• Living at Stanford With Children
• Parking & Transportation Services

Childcare & Education

WorkLife Office

The WorkLife Office provides a comprehensive portfolio of services and resources for Stanford students, faculty and staff. 

Services

The following services are inclusive of graduate students:

• Early Childhood Education Program (On Campus)
• Early Childhood Education Program (Off Campus)School Aged ResourcesSummer Camp and ActivitiesLactation Policy and Support

Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)

Parents with older children can enroll their children within the Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD). The registration requirements and process is available on their website and the office provides extensive support to assist with getting your child(ren) registered.

Community Gardens

The Escondido Village community, including singles and couples, are able to sign up for a plot in one of the two community gardens.  Gardens are located in EV North near Barnes courtyard and in EV South near Rains. Residents can apply for a plot in one of the gardens.

Family Programs & Events

Traditional Grad-wide Events for Families

The Graduate Life Office and Community Associates partner with Graduate Student Council (GSC), Graduate Student Programming Board (GSPB), the Provost's Office, Stanford University Department of Public Safety (SUDPS) and other departments to offer large-scale events for the entire graduate families community. 

Events include:

• SUDPS BBQ for Families (August)
• Pumpkin Patch (October)
• Ice-Skating (January)
• Valentines Dance (February)
• Annual Provost's Egg Roll (March)
• Annual Family Carnival (May)

Courtyard Programs

Each courtyard hosts a variety of local programs  based on the interest of the community.

• Parents Night Out
• Courtyard Camping
• Potluck Dinners
• Food Trucks
• BBQs
• Interest Groups

Stanford  Events & Activities

• Stanford Events Calendar
• Stanford Athletics - A variety of events are hosted through out the year. Your family may be interested in the Cardinal Kids  Club (fee) program which allows children free entry to variety of sporting events. 
• Stanford Live

Graduate Academic Policies & Procedures

The Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures handbook (the GAP) is a compilation of university policies and other information related to the academic progress of Stanford graduate students, from their application and admission to the conferral of degrees and retention of records.

Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures (GAP)

Policy Links

5.9 Pregnancy, Childbirth, Adoption and Lactation

Defines an Academic Accommodation Period for registered and matriculated women graduate students anticipating or experiencing a birth. Provides guidance for students who wish to take a leave of absence for pregnancy, adoption or childbirth-related reasons.  Defines a Lactation Accommodation policy for matriculated students and postdoctoral scholars. Complies with the requirements of California Education Code 66281.7.

6.1.1 Graduate Tuition Categories: Policy

Matriculated graduate students at Stanford University are expected to enroll for at least eight units (full-time enrollment) at the 8, 9, 10-unit tuition rate during the school year. Schools and departments may set a higher minimum. Reduced tuition is available in particular circumstances, upon petition to the Office of the Registrar. Stanford University does not waive tuition in any circumstances.

7.1.1 General Funding Guidelines and Definitions: Policy

Admitting degree programs are responsible for determining the level of financial support to be offered to students. This policy defines elements of financial support and general guidelines for implementation.

Living at Stanford With Children

Family Courtyard Communities

Graduate students with children desiring to live on campus are assigned to Escondido Village in one of the four family-courtyard communities. The courtyards are home to over 200 Stanford students, their spouses/partners and children. Each courtyard consists of two-story townhouse-style apartments with an enclosed playground for children. Courtyards are supported by Community Associates (CAs) hired by the Graduate Life Office (GLO), who are graduate students or spouse/partners whose primary purpose is to build a sense of community for residents.  CAs welcome residents to the community and serve as a point of contact for residents needing support and resources.  CAs also bring residents together by offering programs and events suited for all members of the family.

Alert: The four family courtyards are supported through collaborative partnerships between the Graduate Life Office and the Graduate Housing Staff at the Escondido Village Front Desk, located at 150 Comstock Circle. 

The Four Family Courtyards

• Abrams - approximately 50 families, and four community associates.
• Barnes - approximately 63 families, and four community associates.
• Hulme - approximately 80 families (including 5 families in Thoburn), and five community associates.
• EV South - approximately 41 families, and two community associates.

Stanford students living on campus are automatically included in communication sent from the Front Desk.  We highly recommend that non-student spouse/partners also opt-in to the email list to receive important communication from housing by calling or visiting the EV Front Desk. CAs in each courtyard maintain their own local listservs which you can opt-in or opt-out. For additional information about Graduate Housing and living on campus, please visit Residential and Dining Enterprises.

Parking & Transportation Services

Graduate students who plan to have a car while living on campus are required to purchase a parking permit from Parking and Transportation Services (P&TS). Students are allowed to purchase a maximum of two parking permits.  Access to additional parking permits may require parking further away from Escondido Village. Stanford also offers free transportation around campus and to specific off campus locations via the Maguerite Shuttle. Stanford is ranked as a Platinum Bicycle Friendly University with many students, faculty and staff using bicyles to navigate the community. The P&TS website has helpful information on bicyle safety and maintenance on campus.