Meeting Students Where They Are

Supporting East Palo Alto Academy students and graduates to pursue lives of choice and impact.

Be A Catalyst For Change: Support EPAAF

Check Out EPAAF’s 2023-2024 Impact Report

New School Year
New Opportunities

Championing Student Success

The East Palo Alto Academy Foundation (EPAAF) believes every student deserves the opportunity to unlock their potential and uplift themselves, their families, and their communities.

Our mission is to provide high-quality academic programs, personalized guidance, social-emotional support, and financial resources starting in high school at East Palo Alto Academy (EPAA). We continue our assistance through postsecondary pathways and into meaningful careers, striving to ensure all students have the agency and access they need to pursue lives of choice and impact.

EPAAF Executive Director, Kate Hyle shares EPAAF’s purpose and work.

Since EPAAF’s founding in 2017:

95%

Graduated high school

10% higher than the national average for similar students.

85%

Of our EPAAF scholars who attended 4-year college are still persisting or have completed their postsecondary education or training

$2.4 Million

Scholarships awarded

  • “The EPAAF Program has shown me that despite my family’s financial hardships, I can achieve anything that life puts in front of me. I am someone who loves helping others, and with EPAAF support, I’ve been able to get a step closer to giving back to the world.”

    -Shriya, San José State University

  • "Thank you for believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself! You gave me a chance to make something of myself and I will forever be grateful!"

    – Sydney, UC Irvine

  • “What I love and appreciate about EPAA is the great support system you’ll get throughout your life. Whether it’s your friends, the staff, or the teachers, they’re always there for you.”

    - Valerie, Cal State Fullerton

  • "The college process is not smooth, but Mr. Wong and the EPAA and EPAAF staff make it as smooth as possible. Other schools don’t have classes and programs like this to help with the college process. At EPAA we have the support that we need, and we can access it easily.”

    — Andrew, EPAA Class of 2024

  • “As a first-generation college student, it has been a dream come true to continue my education journey in sustainable agriculture. The help of the donors gives me hope to continue my education and break a cycle of generational poverty.”

    — Ingrid, UC Davis

  • “The donor contribution has had an immense impact on me. It allows for me to attend school comfortably without the worry of how I’ll pay my next quarter. I can fully immerse myself in my college experience and enjoy everything it has to offer. Without the donor support, I don’t think I’d be as involved within my campus as I can be now.”

    — Jessica, UC Santa Barbara

  • “I want to give a huge thanks to the donors who contribute to the community at EPAAF. I am thankful because I got the opportunity to go to UCLA without worrying so much about my finances. This allowed me to work harder, and focus on my journey to medicine.”

    — Federico, UCLA Class of 2024