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Sequoia Union honors Tide Academy English teachers; Tide reports growth, new labs and dual‑enrollment gains
Summary
The Sequoia Union board recognized Tide Academy English teachers for curriculum alignment and college-readiness outcomes and heard a report that Tide has about 200 students, new equipment funded by a Golden State Pathway Grant, and active recruitment for dual‑enrollment and CTE pathways.
The Sequoia Union High School District board recognized the Tide Academy English department on Oct. 8 for collaborative curriculum work and student outcomes, then heard a detailed opening‑of‑school report on the 2025–26 year.
Superintendent Leech introduced Principal Simone Rick Kennel, who outlined the English team’s work: vertically aligned courses intended to prepare students for Foothill College English 1A/1B; development of schoolwide professional development; and curricular structures to support evidence‑based analysis. The presentation named Joanne Yao, Daffhne (Daffany) Pacia McCann, Nick McKinnon and Christine Turk and credited the team with strong student outcomes, including a citation in the presentation that 93% of seniors from the 2023–2025 cohorts earned a C or higher in the college‑level English course.
In a separate briefing, Tide Academy staff reported summer investments funded by the Golden State Pathway Grant, including a new Mac lab for graphic design and computer science and reconfigured innovation lab space now used for after‑school programs and music production. Enrollment is “hovering around 200” students, with ninth grade the largest class; staff are pursuing a goal of roughly 75 students per class and said recruitment demand has risen.
Tide staff described robust extracurricular programming (robotics growth, a returning ballet folklorico adviser, sports participation and a growing Black Student Union) and noted upcoming events including an eighth‑grade information night on Oct. 23 and a half‑day virtual visit planned for Nov. 19. Staff said Tide plans to continue emphasizing dual‑enrollment and CTE pathways and will submit paperwork for a journalism conference trip to Nashville in November.
Board members asked about conversion rates from recruitment events into actual enrollment; Tide staff said open‑enrollment interest is high but families have many school choices and conversion to enrollment can lag. Trustees thanked staff for recruitment success and asked staff to share midcycle review reports when available.
Next steps: Tide staff will send board invitations for the Oct. 23 information night and return outcome data in future updates.
