Chinese parents take to the streets to protest against the closure of Su Zhuo Elementary School, calling on the school district to reconsider the decision

On October 16, parents and community members from Sutro Elementary School gathered to protest against the San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) decision to close the school. Despite boasting an impressive 94% enrollment rate and being recognized as a California Distinguished School in 2023, Sutro Elementary found itself on SFUSD’s closure list, prompting strong opposition from parents.

In a bid to amplify their voices, organizers formed the “Keep Sutro Open” initiative, aimed at preserving the 130-year-old institution. Abby Davis, president of Sutro Elementary’s parent-teacher association, expressed her frustration with SFUSD’s decision regarding a high-performing school. She emphasized that Sutro is a vital part of the community, providing quality education to a diverse student body.

Located in the Richmond District, Sutro Elementary is the only federally funded school in the area and is well-regarded for its Cantonese bilingual education. Parents are concerned that if the school closes, students will be forced to attend farther-away schools, disrupting their learning and creating significant challenges for families who rely on Cantonese bilingual programs.

Many parents are questioning the fairness of SFUSD’s closure decision. Zhao Jinpu, a Chinese parent, remarked, “If the criteria for closing schools are based on fairness, how can shutting down the only school in the Richmond District that offers Cantonese bilingual education be considered fair?”

Furthermore, parents highlighted that Sutro students consistently achieve higher scores in reading and mathematics compared to the district average, along with an exceptionally low teacher turnover rate. This has led many parents to believe that the school should not be included in the closure list.

Data provided by the protest organizers further underscore the perceived inequities in the SFUSD’s decision. Over 60% of Sutro’s students come from low-income families (compared to the district average of 51%), and 51.1% are English learners (against the district average of 29%). The student demographics show a significant representation, with 74% identifying as Asian, 10% as White, 6% as Latino, and 7% as multiracial.