Our Mission & Story
East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA) was founded by Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education in 2001 with an innovative model to serve the East Palo Alto community differently. Now a public charter school part of Sequoia Union High School District, EPAA continues to take a community-centered approach in order to provide the youth of East Palo Alto with the public education that they deserve.
At the East Palo Alto Academy Foundation, we further this legacy with a vision that all students will have the opportunity to pursue lives of choice that uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.
Our mission is to support the students and graduates of East Palo Alto Academy through high school and postsecondary pathways into meaningful careers by providing academic, navigational, social-emotional, and financial resources.
Our 10-Year Promise
Starting in high school, the East Palo Alto Academy Foundation makes a 10-Year Promise to students and their families to provide pathways for success.
The High-School Experience (Years 1 - 4)
Creating an environment that celebrates culture, identity, and community, EPAAF offers academic and mental health support and enrichment opportunities for EPAA students to explore their passions.
The Bridge (Years 4 - 5)
Delivering a continuum of care with support between high school and postsecondary education and training, EPAA and EPAAF both support students as they graduate high school and explore their options after high school.
Postsecondary Navigation (Years 5 - 8+)
EPAAF alumni programs offer financial, social-emotional, academic, and logistical support during postsecondary education and training.
Career Preparation (Years 6 to 10)
Continuing our commitment through individualized workforce support from career coaches and staff, EPAAF helps our scholars transition from their college or vocational program into chosen professions.
By providing the resources and guidance they deserve, students can tap into their potential and achieve their aspirations, building a promising future for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Opportunity Through Education
At the East Palo Alto Academy Foundation (EPAAF), we strive to create a community where students feel valued, respected, and equipped to lead meaningful and impactful lives. We help students take control of their futures by providing comprehensive support and addressing their unique needs with frequent, personalized assistance.
Our students are wise, compassionate, eager, and resilient. Historically, students from communities like ours have faced limited choices, and we aim to change that by offering opportunities for them to be the authors of their own life stories. We celebrate students' culture and identity, provide academic and mental health support, and offer enriching experiences for students to explore their passions. We continue to support them as they pursue higher education or training to create the adult life they envision.