Students highlight AP success, mental-health supports and bus problems at Menlo Atherton

Student trustees and student speakers used their time to report academic results and press for clearer supports around student safety and transportation.

Mohan Gupta, a senior at Menlo Atherton High, reported that the school had a 94% pass rate on AP tests in 2024 with 796 students taking AP tests, 54 National Merit scholars and that 92% of the class of 2024 had a GPA of 2.0 or above. Gupta said the student body is working to diversify enrollment in advanced classes through improved advising and outreach.

Tula Vasta described the role of the PAWS center and trained grief counselors and the therapy dog Ginger in helping students and staff after recent losses. Vasta also said campus conflict mediators have reduced incidents and that students are anxious about immigration enforcement; she said student clubs have been organizing walkouts and information sessions about rights and responses if ICE were to appear.

Tati Olaszabomehin raised safety and transportation concerns: she said Menlo Atherton relies on SamTrans buses serving East Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Atherton and Redwood City, and that overcrowding, unreliable schedules and lack of clipper-card access have caused students to be late or to miss rides. She said a student-survey by the MA Chronicle found over two-thirds of juniors who take the bus reported being late to school at least twice a week. The students asked for administrative attention to reduce truancy caused by transportation problems and to increase support for affinity clubs that serve as advocacy groups on campus.

These remarks were recorded as student reports and public comment to inform the board; no formal board action was taken in response during the meeting.