San Francisco 49ers Academy Logo
Dear 49ers Academy Community,

Despite the phenomenal achievements of its staff and students, the 49ers Academy is forced to wind down due to a shortfall in funding. Unfortunately, the Academy has been unable to obtain sufficient funding to continue to maintain the Academy’s current scale of operations for the next academic year. Decisions like this are never easy, especially given the positive impact the 49ers Academy has had over the last 27 years. For nearly three decades, the organization's programming has propelled young people from middle school, to high school, and on to college and careers. We are proud of the success of each and every Academy student!

The 49ers Academy will be closing operations at Cesar Chavez Ravenswood Middle School (CCRMS) effective, Friday, June 16, 2023 and at Menlo-Atherton High School (MAHS), Friday, July 14, 2023.

Beginning 27 years ago, the Academy’s Founders paved the way by building relationships with parents, educators, school districts, and community service agencies to help high-potential and brilliant youth in East Palo Alto reach their potential and attain their dreams. This was accomplished by aiding students and families with access to the opportunities and resources they deserved and needed to close the achievement gap through academic programs and needs-based services — providing truly holistic support (via components such as the Giving Center), nurturing their creative talents (especially within the 8 to 80 Zone), and affording them meaningful relationships and life experiences (such as dedicated college scholarships and field trips to Washington, DC). This strong and unwavering commitment has led to the Academy’s ability to serve multiple generations of students, many of whom would eventually become 49ers Academy parents, and even grandparents.

We also honor the dedication and commitment of the Academy staff for their exemplary service and innovation in delivering the Academy’s mission. A recent example of the ingenuity and strength of the team was the Academy’s ability to provide safe, in-person Learning Hubs for young people in East Palo Alto during the pandemic.

Moreover, the Academy’s tremendous impact has also extended beyond the direct services it provides to students and families. The Academy is also an agent of change and works diligently towards educational equity for all students of color. In 2013, the Academy advocated for the Sequoia Union High School District to halt its dividing, assigning, and bussing East Palo Alto students to four different high schools. Students from East Palo Alto had an unfair burden simply because of where they lived. As a result of the Academy’s tireless fight for equity, the school boundary map was changed and beginning in 2015, all East Palo Alto students were assigned to Menlo-Atherton High School.

Thank you for your past generous support. You have played a vital role in keeping our students on the path to personal and academic success. Still, our communities in East Palo Alto have continued to navigate under-investment, and we invite you to recommit your time, talent, and treasure to ensure our young people can access the resources they need and deserve in order to thrive.

We remain committed to the wellbeing of our community, and we want to support our families and partners to process this profound loss however we can. Thus, we welcome your feedback to address any concerns and questions, and we hope to provide whatever referrals to resources that we can. Please email us at: executiveteam@49ersacademy.org

Even as we are sorry to have to deliver this message, we thank you for an incredible journey.

On Behalf of the 49ers Academy Board of Directors
Kathy Armistead, Co-President
Craig Child, Co-President
Lauri Adachi, Interim Executive Director