Coastside Leadership Academy

09/01/2025

After three incredible years, Coastside Leadership Academy will close at the end of this school year. This was not an easy decision, but with our students graduating, the timing feels right.

We are so proud of the community we’ve built and the thoughtful, empowered leaders our students have become. Thank you to our students, families, and supporters for believing in CLA’s mission and making this journey unforgettable.

As we savor our final semester together—learning, hiking, and laughing—we carry deep gratitude for this extraordinary chapter. We look forward to celebrating Graduation in June!

With gratitude,
Claire & LaRue

19/12/2024

Today we celebrated the end of the semester with some holiday cheer! Our students decorated gingerbread houses while listening to music and sharing stories.

Happy Holidays from CLA! We hope everyone has a restful Winter Break. ⭐️

18/12/2024

Today our students presented their Health Literacy Unit culminating projects! Each student created a lesson on a health topic of choice to teach to the group. The lessons included learning targets, warm up questions, activities to help other students learn the material, and reflection questions to check for understanding at the end. We are so proud of our student's hard work and growth this semester!! 👏🏻💙

16/12/2024

Today we gathered to mindfully walk the labyrinth in Quarry Park to honor the last full moon of 2024.

This special moment invited gratitude for what had passed, released what no longer served, and set intentions for winter's introspective season. As the year transitions towards its close, the labyrinth walk is a bridge between cycles, helping us prepare for the darkness of winter with clarity and purpose. 🌕

21/11/2024

Today we visited the Body Worlds Decoded exhibit at The Tech Interactive in San Jose and were amazed by the wonders of the human body! From interactive displays to real-life applications, we got an up-close look at the endocrine system and so much more.

This hands-on experience brought our Health Literacy lessons to life, sparking curiosity and deepening our understanding of how our bodies work. 🧠

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19/11/2024

Our 2nd unit of the year is Health Literacy. This week we are diving into the endocrine system and its feedback loops! In today’s lesson, students explored how the pancreas and liver work together to regulate blood sugar levels.

Through hands-on learning, they discovered:
➡️ How insulin and glucagon help maintain balance.
➡️ What happens when blood sugar is too high or too low.
➡️ Why these processes are vital for overall health.

Learning how our bodies work is the first step toward making informed choices about our well-being.

15/11/2024

Today was Community Day at Castle Rock! We hiked, climbed, and explored the rock formations, discovering hidden caves along the way. Here’s a snapshot of one of our students and teachers soaking in the moment inside a cave. Being out in nature always brings us joy, connection, and inspiration. 🧗🏻‍♀️

12/11/2024

Our CLA students witnessed the first big swell of the season at Mavericks today! Experiencing the power and beauty of nature reminds us how lucky we are to learn on the coast and connect with the forces that shape our world. These waves are a perfect metaphor for resilience, strength, and the courage to ride life’s challenges! 🌊

05/11/2024

Join us on Thursday, Nov. 7th at Sand Hill School’s High School Fair! CLA will be hosting a table from 2:30-5:00PM. The event is free and registration information is below. Stop by and learn more about Coastside Leadership Academy!

Sand Hill School High School Fair
Nov. 7th 2:30-5:00PM
650 Clark Way, Palo Alto, CA 94304
CHC

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-annual-high-school-fair-at-sand-hill-school-chc-tickets-1049848784977

04/11/2024

Today we hiked to the Tafoni Sandstone formation on the Tafoni Trail along Skyline! This stunning rock was underwater 30 million years ago and has been shaped by generations of erosion and water into the beautiful, intricate patterns we see today.

Experiences like these remind us that learning happens everywhere—especially outdoors! We’re so grateful for the opportunity to explore and connect with our environment right here in the Bay Area. 🥾

01/11/2024

We are excited to host a table at the fair next week! Stop by and say hello!

🎉 Join Us for the First Annual High School Fair! 🎉

Preparing for life beyond Sand Hill is an important step—and we’re here to support every family through this transition! Our High School Fair is open to the public and all CHC families, especially middle school families ready to explore what’s next.

Students are welcome to attend alongside parents! This event is a valuable opportunity for your child to meet representatives from high schools that specialize in supporting learning differences and neurodiverse needs.

Thursday, November 7, 2024 | 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM | 650 Clark Way Palo Alto
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/first-annual-high-school-fair-at-sand-hill-school-chc-tickets-1049848784977?aff=oddtdtcreator

The Kehillah School
Palo Alto Preparatory High School
Stanbridge Academy
School for Independent Learners
Coastside Leadership Academy

31/10/2024

Today we explored the old Purissima Cemetery for a Halloween History lesson!

Purissima is an old ghost town south of Half Moon Bay. In the early 1860's people settled along Verde Road and built farms, a downtown, and schools. After an affluent family went bankrupt, the town perished, and all that is left is the cemetery.

Purissima cemetery is a natural cemetery with views of the brussel sprout farms and the ocean. We loved checking it out and honoring the people who are buried there on Halloween! 🎃