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Judge Denies Bid to Pause TIDE Academy Closure Process
Federal judge finds no urgency to halt closure of Menlo Park STEM school
Published on Mar. 6, 2026
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A federal judge has rejected parents' emergency request to stop the closure of TIDE Academy, a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-focused high school in Menlo Park, California. The judge said she sympathized with the families but found the situation lacked 'real urgency' and did not warrant emergency relief, as the school is not scheduled to close until June 30. The judge urged both sides to pursue court-assisted mediation before the school year ends.
Why it matters
The closure of TIDE Academy, which was opened in 2019 with at least $50 million in bond funds, has raised concerns among parents, particularly those with students who have individualized education plans (IEPs) or 504 plans. The school currently enrolls about 200 students, down from 242 in 2022-23, and has a higher rate of students with IEPs or 504 plans compared to other schools in the district.
The details
The Sequoia Union High School District voted on February 4 to close TIDE Academy this summer and move students to Woodside High School for the 2026-27 school year, citing a widening budget deficit. Parents argued that TIDE's small-school environment functions as a legally protected 'structural accommodation' for students with disabilities, and that federal disability law protects a student's specific school placement. However, the district countered that maintaining the school was 'fiscally unsustainable' and that the school's plans are transferable to other campuses.
- On March 5, 2026, a federal judge refused to intervene in TIDE Academy's plans to close.
- TIDE Academy is scheduled to close on June 30, 2026.
- A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for May 2026 to determine whether the school must remain open during the 2026-27 school year.
The players
Trina L. Thompson
A U.S. District Judge who refused to intervene in TIDE Academy's closure plans.
Sequoia Union High School District
The school district that voted to close TIDE Academy and move students to Woodside High School.
Jason Primuth
A Menlo Park parent whose child attends TIDE Academy.
What they’re saying
“This is one I spent a great deal of reflection on. I encourage parties to engage in dialogue, and to recognize common goals.”
— Trina L. Thompson, U.S. District Judge (Mercury News)
“But it is our only option to meaningfully affect the process. The parents are willing to invest in lawyers because the district never listened.”
— Jason Primuth, Menlo Park parent (Mercury News)
What’s next
A preliminary injunction hearing is scheduled for May 2026 to determine whether TIDE Academy must remain open during the 2026-27 school year.
The takeaway
The closure of TIDE Academy has sparked a legal battle between parents and the Sequoia Union High School District, with concerns over the impact on students with disabilities and the district's financial sustainability. The case highlights the complex issues surrounding school closures and the rights of students with special needs.
