East Palo Alto Stanford Academy
The East Palo Alto Stanford Academy (EPASA) offers an exciting two-year-long learning opportunity for seventh and eighth grade students in the Ravenswood City School District. EPASA participants are highly motivated and represent differing academic abilities and socio-cultural backgrounds.
EPASA challenges young people to learn with an academically enriching program to complement and enhance the curriculum offered by the district. EPASA also works to ensure a successful transition from middle school to high school by empowering its students with increased social awareness as well as the skills and strategies needed to effectively pursue educational opportunities in a high school outside of their community.
Through their leadership in EPASA, Stanford student staff interested in children, youth and education become actively involved in surrounding communities. They gain valuable insights into the larger social and policy issues affecting student performance in local schools.
Ogo Agbo, a returning sophomore, enjoyed every weekend she got to spend with her tutee, Mariela Matute. "I'm so glad I decided to get involved in tutoring, and I feel lucky that the coordinators paired me up with Mariela "My-Tutee." Mariela is smart, happy, responsible, and a model student. She loves soccer and is a very strong girl in mind and body. I can't wait to see what she accomplishes in the future!"
Program
During the school year (October - May), EPASA offers a Saturday program from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. consisting of:
- Project-based math and language arts curriculum in the morning
- One-on-one tutoring with a Stanford student from 12-2 p.m.
- Workshops with a focus on practical skills, as well as cultural education
- Occasional field trips
Students enrolling in the school year program continue to meet for the summer. During the summer program , (June -July), EPASA offers a five-week session that consists of:
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Application Process
Download the application here. (doc file)
Email your application to Julie Wilson, Coordinator, EPASA and Ravenswood Tutors, at jawilson@stanford.edu, or contact Julie for more information at (650) 723-5786. Volunteer tutors are needed for the school year program to work one-on-one with a student from 12-2 p.m. on Saturdays on campus. An initial training and orientation is required. In the winter, EPASA will be recruiting seven Stanford students to implement the summer component of the program. For more information on this opportunity, please read about the Education and Youth Development Summer Fellowship.