New Year, Same Commitment to Students & Families

Thu Jan 15 12:04:33 PST 2026

https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** New Year, Same Commitment to Students & Families
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While many embrace the “new year, new me” mantra, at Thurgood Marshall we’re proud to say we’re staying the course.

Our commitment remains the same: ensuring every students gains the skills, confidence and support they need to go on to lead healthy, productive, and choice-filled lives and graduate with a plan for how they will achieve their goals.

Now more than ever, students and families need schools that offer strong, steady, and comprehensive support. As a community school, we organize everything we do around our four core priorities that guide our daily work and long-term vision:
* Curriculum and Instruction: Strengthening our project-based learning so students can connect what they’re learning in the classroom to their future college and career paths.
* Positive School Culture: Building belonging through social-emotional learning, leadership and community building.
* College and Career Readiness: Ensuring all students are prepared for life after graduation.
* Integrated Support Systems: Providing academic, wellness, and family supports so no student or family falls through the cracks

We’re excited to share what we've been up to and how you can support your favorite SFUSD high school!
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** Yay For College & Career Week!
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At Thurgood Marshall, college and career readiness is a four-year journey that begins in ninth grade. In October, students across all grade levels participated in College & Career Week - an immersive experience designed to help them explore future pathways and imagine what’s possible.

Here are some of the week's highlights:
* We hosted 38 professionals from over 20 career fields during Career Day, including a dentist, tattoo artist, electrician, real estate agent, and many more.
* 55% of our students visited a college or university
+ Freshmen visited UC Merced.
+ Sophomores visited UC Santa Cruz.
+ Juniors visited UC Davis.
+ Seniors visited San Francisco State or Skyline College.

** Want to Get Involved?
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Next month, community members will have additional opportunities to support students by sharing career journeys, hosting panels, and connecting students to summer opportunities.

* Career Day: Wednesday, February 25 | 9:30–10:30 AM
* College & Career Fair: Friday, February 27 | 11:00 AM–1:00 PM

Whether you’re a professional, tradesperson, or college representative, we’ll help you find a role that fits. Your experience can help students see what’s possible.

Use this link to RSVP (https://rebrand.ly/CCWeekSignUpFall2024) . Not sure how you can help? Check out our partner guide (https://rebrand.ly/CCWPartnerGuide) to prepare for the career panels, or contact Cesy Martinez (mailto:martinezsandovalc at sfusd.edu?subject=College%20%26%20Career%20Week%202026&body=Hi%20Cesy%2C%20%0A%0AI%20want%20to%20learn%20more%20about%20College%20%26%20Career%20Week...) for more information. We’ll find the perfect role for you during the week.
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** Seniors Preparing for Life After Thurgood Marshall
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At Thurgood Marshall, our goal is every student graduates with a clear plan for their future. This year, we’re proud to share that 73% of our seniors are eligible for a CSU or UC - a milestone reflecting years of intentional preparation and support.

Eligibility for a California state or University of California school is just the beginning. To ensure all seniors are ready for life after high school, every senior participates in Senior Seminar. This class focuses on the practical and personal skills students need to succeed after graduation, including college applications, financial aid, career exploration, and workshops on real-world topics such as credit cards, loans, and financial planning.

Supporting our seniors requires a collaborative effort, and we are fortunate to have four dedicated partners on campus: School to College, JCYC Upward Bound, San Francisco Achievers, and 100% College Prep. Together, they provide layered, ongoing support throughout a student’s high school journey. Here’s how our partners support students:
* JCYC Upward Bound is a TRIO program providing fundamental support to 9th - 11th grade students. Students receive 1-on-1 advising, educational workshops, and additional college visits.
* The School to College Program Coordinator serves as a liaison between students and the Justice and Diversity Center, connecting them to vital resources such as immigration services, homelessness advocacy projects, and pro-bono legal counsel.
* San Francisco Achievers offers mentoring focused on college readiness, career exploration, and workforce development for our young African American men, while also supporting students with financial aid applications and scholarships.
* 100% College Prep delivers workforce development programming. This spring, their partnerships with the Warriors, Bayview United Gaming, and NBA2K will mentor 30 students, and they are planning a historically black college and university tour for students during Spring Break.

Beyond our on-campus partners, we’re grateful for community organizations like Junior Achievement, which supports our annual College Essay Feedback Workshops. This year, we hosted two workshops in October and November, where more than 25 Junior Achievement volunteers reviewed essays and provided personalized feedback. Both events were a powerful example of our community stepping in to help students achieve their dreams.

With this collective support in place, we’re excited to report that our seniors have submitted 175 college applications to 22 colleges and universities. We look forward to sharing where our students will be headed in Fall 2026 as acceptance letters begin to arrive.
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** Student Leadership Shines
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At Thurgood Marshall, we know academics are just one piece of the high school experience. Our students are leaders and they have real ownership in shaping our school community.

In December, our campus came alive during our Winter Talent Show, an event that was entirely student-led. Four students served as emcees (two freshmen, a sophomore, and a senior), while our Student Tech Crew managed the lighting, projections, and stage curtains. Staff had the chance to step back and enjoy watching students shine on stage. The show featured nine acts, including a surprise teacher and staff dance to Soda Pop from K-Pop Demon Hunters. Photos from the event are shared below.

Student leaders also organize school dances and lead fundraising efforts to support end-of-year prom. Our Halloween dance was a big success, and we’re already looking forward to the Valentine’s Day dance coming up in February.

Later this Spring, our students will help host Phoenix Week, an annual tradition that celebrates the strength of our community. During the week, students compete in team-based challenges designed to build collaboration and communication, earning points for their grade level. Last year, the Junior class took home the Phoenix Week title. We’ll see if they can defend it this year! Phoenix Week also includes Staff vs Student athletics games and a Food Fest fundraiser for our 20 student-led clubs.
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** Wellness at the Heart of Our Community School
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As a community school, we know that when students and families are healthy, our entire community is stronger. Wellness is essential to learning, belonging, and long-term success.

Our on-campus Wellness Center provides students with a welcoming space during the school day - whether they need a snack, a brain break, or additional support. The center also houses our RAM therapists, who meet weekly with students for ongoing mental health support. In partnership with seven community organizations, we offer weekly lunchtime wellness groups for targeted student populations, including recently arrived students and gender-based affinity groups.

Beyond mental and emotional health, the Wellness Center helps students and families access critical resources, including prescription glasses and connections to medical and dental care.

This year, we expanded our impact with the opening of the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center on campus. We are proud to be the only high school in San Francisco with an on-site family resource center serving the broader Bayview community. Families can access parenting workshops, employment assistance, medical enrollment support, and housing resources - all in one place.

** Commitment to Project Based Learning
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At Thurgood Marshall, our commitment to project-based learning is intentional and long-standing. When students can connect what they’re learning in the classroom to real-world applications and future college and career paths, they are more engaged - and better prepared for what comes next.

Through our partnership with Delve Underground, our teachers have access to high-quality professional development and the resources needed to bring meaningful projects to life. This includes teacher visits to community schools in New York City this past fall, as well as funding for the supplies and equipment that support hands-on, project-based instruction.

This fall, students engaged in a range of authentic learning experiences, including:
* In 9th and 10th grade English classes created a school handbook with information for incoming students to Thurgood Marshall.
* In 11th and 12th grade English classes, students explored story telling and counter narratives by writing and submitting their own Tiny Memoirs to the New York Times student writing contest (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/learning/tiny-memoir-contest-for-students-write-a-100-word-personal-narrative.html) .
* In 12th grade US History, students created podcasts exploring historical and contemporary immigration stories, drawing connections between past policies and present-day experiences.
* In 12th grade US Government, students wrote letters to local and state politicians advocating for policy changes based on their research.
* In 12th grade English, students explored ideas about Science and Ethics. Students read play adaptations of Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Students learn about current developments in science and technology by exploring articles and podcasts. Students then created their own podcasts and recorded their own radio play.

Delve Underground isn’t just investing in our school—they’re working on a project to improve critical drainage issues in the neighborhood. We are proud to be part of their vision for a better, stronger community. Learn more about their work in our neighborhood below.

“Delve Underground is the prime consultant for the SFPUC’s Lower Alemany Stormwater Improvement Project, providing tunnel engineering and design services to construct a new sewer tunnel, addressing critical drainage issues affecting neighborhoods surrounding Thurgood Marshall Academic High School.

We are proud to sponsor professional development opportunities for the school’s teachers. This support enabled educators to engage in impactful training designed to enhance project-based learning for students. We look forward to strengthening our partnership with TMAHS and continuing to make a meaningful difference in the community.

More information on this project is available here: Delve Underground | Lower Alemany Area Stormwater Improvements (https://delveunderground.com/news/lower-alemany-area-stormwater-improvements) "

** Cheer for our Phoenix Athletes
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Our students don’t just thrive in the classroom. They also show commitment, teamwork, and school pride on the field, court, and track. Athletics at Thurgood Marshall play an important role in building confidence, discipline, and a strong sense of community.

This winter we are hosting boys and girls basketball and soccer.

Our students are currently:
* Boys Soccer: 0-0-1
* Girls’ Bball: 3-1 (play today; 2nd place in league)
* Boys’ Bball: 7-0 (1st in the league)
* Girls’ Soccer: 3-0 (1st place in the league)

Later this spring, our students will participate in badminton, golf, track, and boys volleyball.

We invite our community to come out and support our teams. View the game schedule below, and we hope to see you cheering from the stands!

Boys Basketball (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1I_tY3meiA-hiZTuCv6dMbDPVqntslmHf/view?usp=sharing) | Girls Basketball (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z9LqkDNlzBLhSH3LadC_AVVZMlxKOT0N/view?usp=sharing)

Boys Soccer (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xfzGdHwQKvA2tT_qs8Y6uq7Yed5dYepY/view?usp=sharing) | Girls Soccer (https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Ky8WGm49q1sol-GydkPIzI-UTsjziVx/view?usp=sharing)

** Construction Woes No More!
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We’re excited to share that construction on our back field is now complete and it’s already making a big difference for our students. We look forward to hosting an official opening celebration soon and will be sure to invite you to join us. In the meantime, enjoy a few photos of our new back field below.

As we celebrate this milestone, we also want to share a quick update on upcoming improvements. Construction is currently underway at the front of the school. Looking ahead, the next phase of construction will take place in our auditorium and gym this summer. We’re excited to offer a preview of the updated design through the renderings shared below.

While construction can bring temporary disruptions, we know these upgrades will enhance the student experience for years to come.We don’t mind the short-term inconvenience if it means we’re building one of the best-looking and best-equipped high school campuses in San Francisco!
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school

** Be a Part of Our Village
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Thurgood Marshall thrives because of the students, families, staff and partners who believe in what’s possible when a school and community work together.

Whether you’re a family considering TMAHS, a community member interested in volunteering, or a partner with ideas for collaboration, we’d love to connect. Reach out to Cesy Martínez (mailto:martinezsandovalc at sfusd.edu?subject=Let's%20Connect&body=) , our Community School Coordinator, to learn how you can get involved.

Thank you for being a part of a community that shows up - for students, for families and for each other.

With appreciation,

Sarah Ballard-Hanson

Principal

https://www.sfusd.edu/school/thurgood-marshall-academic-high-school
https://www.instagram.com/marshallphoenix
mailto:martinezsandovalc at sfusd.edu

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