Students and parents ask Western Placer Unified to add PSAT NMSQT access and reintroduce ethnic-studies-style course

A parent and multiple students urged the Western Placer Unified board to expand academic opportunities for high school students, asking the district to (1) add access to the PSAT NMSQT and (2) reinstate or agendize a cultural/ethnic-studies-style course.

Chris Smith, who identified himself as the parent of students at 12 Bridges High School, asked the board to place the PSAT National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) on a future agenda and to consider offering the test for juniors in 2026. Smith told the board that the NMSQT is the qualifying exam for a range of merit and corporate scholarships and said regional availability can be limited; he asked staff to review policies and logistics so juniors can access the qualifying test and scholarship opportunities.

Students followed during public comment. Tessa Silvis, a Lincoln High freshman, said she had hoped to take an ethnic-studies elective that would cover a broader and more inclusive history of cultures and civic movements. "This class would fill in the gaps of marginalized communities that are typically represented in other history classes," she said, urging the board not to discard the concept.

Max Montoya, also a Lincoln High freshman, argued ethnic studies would strengthen critical thinking and college readiness by giving students tools to analyze sources and recognize bias. William Felice, a freshman who has addressed the board repeatedly about ethnic studies, said students simply want an honest discussion and asked trustees to explain why the course is not offered and what steps would be required to make it available. "We would like to see the adoption of ethnic studies agendized," he said.

District staff responded that a curricular option called "Cultures of the World" exists and that materials are being gathered; the board agreed to place a discussion of a cultural-appreciation course on a future agenda so trustees, staff and community members can weigh whether to offer the course as an elective or pursue broader graduation-requirement changes.

What happens next: Staff said they will follow up on PSAT availability and logistics and will present curriculum materials for the cultural-appreciation class for board review when the item is agendized.