Ethnic Studies
Background on Ethnic Studies in the the Sequoia Union High School District
(SUHSD)
In October 2020, the SUHSD Board of Trustees voted to make Ethnic Studies a graduation requirement beginning with the Class of 2025, and the course was first taught in the fall of 2021. SUHSD introduced Ethnic Studies to support a deeper understanding of how people’s experiences may differ across cultural and racial backgrounds. SUHSD strives to help students learn and develop curiosity about the wide range of stories and experiences that shape life in the United States, the State of California, and even right here in San Mateo County. SUHSD students take the course in the second, third and fourth quarters of their freshman year.
SUHSD uses a comprehensive and collaborative process for developing all curriculum. You can read about that process here, including how to request viewing the curriculum.
Curriculum Review in 2024-25
In the 2024-25 school year, SUHSD began a review the Ethnic Studies curriculum it was using, revising it to align with California’s Model Curriculum (which were developed after our first courses were taught), and to reflect extensive feedback heard from students, teachers, parents and other community members since the course was first taught.
The curriculum review process was facilitated by an external consultant who is a subject area and curriculum development expert, and included participation by:
- The Instructional Coach for Social Studies
- The Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development
- The Executive Director of People, Culture, and Collaboration.
- Ethnic studies teachers from four district sites.
- District and site leaders and all ethnic studies teachers
During the review process, participants were mindful that Ethnic Studies has been a topic of great interest in our community and throughout the state. Over the past four years, since our course was launched, district leaders have listened carefully to feedback from community - meeting with community members, and tracking the experience of students, families, and teachers. All of the input from our stakeholders shaped the revision of the curriculum. We remain committed to:
- Listening to multiple viewpoints and treating all parties with respect, honoring the variety of cultural backgrounds represented in our community;
- Promoting civility and understanding in discussions;
- Advancing student understanding of what it means to live and thrive in a society composed of citizens from different cultural, language, and religious backgrounds; and
- Advancing student engagement, academic achievement, and critical thinking.
Status of the 2025-26 Curriculum
The extensive review process for Unit 1 in the 2025-26 Ethnic Studies curriculum is complete, and will be used by teachers when the course begins in the second quarter of the 2025-26. The second-semester curriculum is still in development.
How Parents Can View Curriculum
We believe in transparency and encourage parents to be informed about the educational materials used in our district. Learn more about the process for reviewing curriculum.
Ethnic Studies Requirement
Ethnic Studies is a graduation requirement in the Sequoia Union High School District. With the exceptions outlined in SUHSD Board Policy 6146.1, all students must meet District-adopted graduation requirements, which include completion of a three-quarter Ethnic Studies course. Our board policy does not provide for opt-outs from entire courses which are required for graduation, nor do recent court decisions require districts to grant parents the right to opt out of ethnic studies curriculum.
The State of California passed a law, (AB 101), that requires a one-semester ethnic studies course for graduation by 2029-30, with courses offered starting in 2025-26, but the mandate is currently on hold due to Governor Newsom's budget revision that withheld the necessary funding.
Revised 8_20_25
