At a Glance

The 49ers Academy was founded in 1996 to serve 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from East Palo Alto. Defined by educational excellence, the 49ers Academy maximizes the potential of every student by emphasizing self-discipline, respect, and individualized academic attention to help them master core subjects and prepare for high school.

Two out of every three students from East Palo Alto are not graduating from high school. In order to solve this crisis, we must first understand the factors that cause it; and that's what the 49ers Academy does. We understand that so much of what happens in the classroom is influenced by conditions outside of school. We work directly with the most disenfranchised student population, identifying and removing barriers to their success in school and life.

We serve a community with intense needs.

In East Palo Alto

Median household income is 45% lower than the average in San Mateo County

 60% of men between the ages of 15 to 30 have already entered the criminal justice system.

 Over 40% of the students are raised by a single mother.

In our School District

 Almost 50% of residents are foreign born, many without English as a primary language at home. 

85% of students test below grade level proficiency in English; 75% below grade level in Math

 80% of students qualify for free or reduced meal vs. 27% county-wide.

 73% high school dropout rate vs. 4% average county-wide.