What’s Going On
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 December 15, 2025, the petition had 1,666 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.
That momentum carried into the December 10, 2025 school board meeting, where the TIDE community showed up in force. The meeting was standing-room only, with more than 100 parents, students, and staff in attendance, and more than 50 speakers during public comment. Families shared both personal stories and data about what would be lost if TIDE closes. The district stated that no final decision has been made, but confirmed it is moving forward with a formal timeline toward a February 4, 2026 board meeting, when the superintendent is expected to bring a recommendation.
The district has said it will present more detailed data at community meetings on January 13 and January 15, followed by a January 26 Board Study Session.
It is critical that decision-makers hear from as many people as possible—not only from current TIDE families, but from the wider community, so please help us.
Jan 13, 2026
Community meeting
Jan 15, 2026
Community meeting
Late January 2026
Summary of community input
Jan 26, 2026
Board Study Session
Feb 4, 2026
Special Board Meeting with Superintendent’s recommendation
After Feb 4, 2026
Follow up communications outlining next steps