SUHSD’s Small and Alternative Schools: Choices for Different Learning Styles by President Allen Weiner
Our small and alternative schools, an important part of the District, enable us to offer a rich variety of innovative educational approaches. Since not all of these programs are well known, I wanted to share with members of our community a brief overview of our small and alternative schools.
Our newest small school, TIDE Academy, opened in August and is in its first year of operation. Although TIDE is oriented towards technology-related fields (the school’s name is an acronym for Technology, Innovative, Design, and Engineering), the school’s real focus is on different ways of teaching and learning. The program is highly interdisciplinary, and much of the learning is applied and project-based. TIDE also boasts strong connections to the technology industry, which can lead to mentoring and internship opportunities. TIDE students can earn college credits through collaborative pathways established with our local community colleges.
The East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA), our small charter school with a longstanding, collaborative relationship with Stanford University, is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they will need for success in college and in a changing future. EPAA’s culture emphasizes how important it is for us all to be positively engaged in our communities. Dedicated staff reinforce the “five habits” emphasized at the school – personal responsibility, social responsibility, critical and creative thinking, application of knowledge, and communication. In addition to its college-preparatory curriculum, a distinctive feature of EPAA’s learning model is the annual exhibition, long-term project-based research activity that culminates in a presentation to a panel of judges.
Redwood High School is the District’s “continuation” high school; it offers a tailored curricular program for students who are not on track for graduation or who would benefit from a smaller learning environment to be successful. In addition to classes in core academic areas, Redwood is expanding its array of foundational courses to launch students on different career and technical education pathways, including digital arts, industrial arts, and visual arts. Redwood strives to provide its students with a personalized learning environment that not only develops their academic foundations, but also prepares them for a range of postsecondary options and empowers them to contribute positively to society.
All of our alternative schools are small, supportive communities where the teachers and staff know every student in the school. With this approach, we can better shape each student’s learning experience in a way that responds to his or her interests, learning styles, and needs. I am proud that SUHSD is a leader in developing innovative small and alternative schools like TIDE, EPAA, and Redwood to complement the more traditional educational opportunities available at our strong comprehensive high schools.
