November 14th 2025
Dear SUHSD Board of Education,
My name is [REDACTED] and I am a 9th grader at TIDE Academy. I chose to attend TIDE because when I went to visit I liked the school because I heard of the benefits I can get such as college credit without paying to take classes to get college credit. Another reason was that bullying was not tolerated at TIDE and I had a hard past with bullying and I liked that I had a voice here at TIDE. I believe TIDE should remain open because this school has a high graduation rate and less failing students than the average large high school. This school pays more attention to its students and cares about their education more than other high schools in the district.
At TIDE I feel safe because of the care they put into everything you do, such as our grades. Every quarter they have a check in so then you can get your grade up and they always give five flexes that week so we can get our grades up. I have a good relationship with the teachers. They are kind and support me and make sure I'm in a good head space, and support me if I'm not. They also make sure everyone is comfortable and happy with what's going on in the class and let us take a break if we are uncomfortable.
I think TIDE should remain open because it has a lot of benefits to the students no matter where they are, such as past students, current students and future students. At TIDE, students can get a year of college complete in high school, which is good because then they have a good benefit in college such as less classes and less cramped schedules, which can lead to less stress over work. The thought that current students in middle school/ junior high that want to come to TIDE may not share this experience is beyond sad and disappointing because this school has made an impact on me so far and it can make an impact on any future TIDE student.
Students from the past would feel upset depending on their experience when they came to TIDE. If TIDE closed I would struggle heavily and it would impact my education because my parents would struggle with finding me a good school to attend. I wouldn't be used to the schedule and I would struggle with my mental health by struggling to fit in without worrying about what others think. This is something that would also affect my parents as they would stress about me adapting to another school that may have double the class size compared to TIDE.
I'd also like to add a strong connection I have here at TIDE is with my spanish teacher, she is an amazing teacher and she makes my day even if i had a rough day she always brings a smile to my face. I would hate to leave her and to leave the school. I genuinely love this school and I would love to stay. I made so many connections with my teachers and peers and I have a better relationship than before. I feel like I can handle myself better than I could before. I feel stronger after I came to TIDE and I feel like this school would only help me grow and get stronger in the process instead of tearing me down like my middle school did.
This school genuinely makes me a stronger student and happier. Because I already feel happier and I feel more welcome than I did anywhere else and I feel like I can do well and get into the college I want and ultimately the job/ career I want to achieve.
I would like to reiterate that TIDE should remain open because it wouldn't help the students at TIDE and the staff who will have to find a new job, which I'm sure would be a struggle. TIDE is genuinely a great school. I know I'm a 9th grader and haven't been here long enough, but I believe the school has a welcoming culture that I did not feel at any other school before. I am speaking from my heart and the thought of what would happen to my peers if the school closed breaks my heart. This school is preparing me to be a great young adult. I urge the SUHSD Board to think of how incredibly difficult the idea of closing TIDE will be on all past, current, and future TIDE students.
Sincerely,
[REDACTED]
Class of 2029
