The Sequoia Union High School District is moving forward with a process that could lead to the closure of TIDE Academy ( 150 Jefferson Dr, Menlo Park, CA 94025), a small public STEM high school in Menlo Park. Across California and the Bay Area, districts are increasingly proposing to close or merge smaller schools in response to budget and enrollment pressures, and TIDE now risks becoming part of that broader trend. This decision would impact hundreds of students across the district — especially those who came to TIDE because large, crowded high schools did not work for them. Many kids and families are in shock. For neurodivergent students, kids with anxiety, English learners, and others who need a calmer, more friendly environment, TIDE is one of the few places where they feel safe, supported, and able to learn, and closures like this mean there are fewer and fewer public options for students who cannot thrive in big schools. We are asking for your help to keep this school open.
On November 12, 2025, the Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD) Board directed the Superintendent to begin a formal process that could result in closing TIDE Academy for “budget reasons.” Families learned about this only very recently. So far, the district has not shared complete financial data or a clear public explanation of why closing a successful, bond-funded school is necessary. Parents are submitting California Public Records Act (CPRA) requests and reviewing official documents from the district and the County Office of Education to understand what is really happening.
On November 19, 2025, dozens of parents, students, alumni, and teachers packed the TIDE Academy cafeteria for a community “listening session” with Superintendent Crystal Leach. The room was standing-room only as families asked why a small, inclusive public school that is working for vulnerable students is being considered for closure, and why this is happening with so little data shared. A remote meeting was held the following day, and many of the same concerns were raised again. Families left the meeting without any clear answers to their questions about data, process, or alternatives to closure.
At the same time, the community response has been immediate and strong. Within just a few days, a petition to keep TIDE open gathered more than a thousand signatures. As of November 25, 2025, the petition had 1,436 signatures, showing how many families and community members are deeply concerned about transparency, equity, and the long-term impact on students who rely on a smaller, inclusive public high school.
The next key step will be the December 10, 2025 school board meeting, where trustees will publicly discuss the potential closure of TIDE. The district has said that more detailed data will be presented at board meetings in January and that a final decision on TIDE’s future is expected by the end of February. It is critical that decision-makers hear from as many people as possible — not only from current TIDE families, but from the wider community.
You can help in four simple ways:
1. Most important: show up on December 10
If you can do only one thing, come to the December 10 school board meeting
When: Wednesday, December 10, 2025, public session starts at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Sequoia Union High School District, Birch Conference Room, 480 James Ave, Redwood City, CA 94062, with a Zoom option for those who can’t attend in person.
A strong in-person and online turnout from families, students, educators, and community members will show the board how many people care about keeping TIDE open. More info here.
2. Sign and share the petition 👉 HERE
Add your name to show that the broader community supports keeping TIDE Academy open and protecting small, inclusive public schools.
Donate online: https://donorbox.org/keep-it-100-tide
4. Send a short email to decision-makers
Even a few sentences in your own words make a real difference. You can copy and adapt this example:
I am a local community member and I support keeping TIDE Academy open so that students who need a smaller, inclusive public high school can continue to learn there. Please share all financial information transparently and fully consider alternatives to closure before any decision is made. TIDE provides a safe, supportive environment for students who struggle in large schools, and closing it would cause real harm to many families.
Please send your message to the Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees:
Sathvik Nori, Board President – snori@seq.org
Amy Koo, Board Vice President / Clerk – akoo@seq.org
Rich Ginn, Board Member – rginn@seq.org
Mary Beth Thompson, Board Member – mbthompson@seq.org
Dr. Maria E. Cruz, Board Member – mecruz@seq.org
You can also copy your email to our state representatives, so they know that small, inclusive public schools like TIDE matter to local families:
Senator Josh Becker, California State Senate District 13 – senator.becker@sen.ca.gov
Joan Dentler, District Director for Senator Josh Becker – joan.dentler@sen.ca.gov
Diane Papan, California State Assemblymember, District 21 – assemblymember.papan@assembly.ca.gov
Marc Berman, California State Assemblymember, District 23 – assemblymember.berman@assembly.ca.gov
Thank you for helping us protect TIDE Academy and the students who depend on it.