On October 16, parents and community members from Sutro Elementary School gathered to protest the San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) decision to close the school.
Despite Sutro’s impressive 94% enrollment rate and its recognition as an outstanding California school in 2023, it remains on SFUSD’s closure list. This decision has sparked strong opposition from parents.
In an effort to ensure their voices are heard, the organizers have established a campaign called “Keep Sutro Open,” dedicated to preserving the 130-year-old institution.
Abby Davis, president of the Sutro Elementary School Parent-Teacher Association, expressed her frustration regarding the SFUSD’s decision to close a school that has excelled academically. She highlighted Sutro’s role as a vital part of the community, providing high-quality education to a diverse student body.
Located in the Richmond District, Sutro Elementary is the only federally funded school in the area and has gained popularity for its Cantonese bilingual education program. Parents are concerned that if the school closes, students will be forced to attend other schools further away, disrupting their educational environment and creating significant challenges for families that depend on the Cantonese program.
Many parents are questioning the fairness of SFUSD’s decision to close Sutro. Chinese American parent Zhao Jinpu stated, “If the criteria for closing schools are based on fairness, then how is closing the only Cantonese bilingual school in the Richmond District considered fair?”
Additionally, some parents noted that Sutro’s student performance in reading and math exceeds the district average, alongside an exceptionally low teacher turnover rate. This leads many to believe that the school should not be included on the closure list.
Data provided by the protest organizers further underscores the perceived injustice of this decision. Over 60% of Sutro’s students come from low-income families, compared to the district average of 51%. Furthermore, 51.1% of students are English learners, contrasted with the district average of 29%. The student demographic includes 74% Asian, 10% White, 6% Latino, and 7% Multiracial students.
