Help us reach $200,000 to fund the College Access Program

Woodside High School serves one of the most diverse and dynamic student populations in the Bay Area. As a Title I school, more than 40% of our students come from under-resourced households, where access to college guidance is often limited or entirely out of reach. Before 2022, college preparation at Woodside varied dramatically, from families with no access at all to those relying on costly private counseling. The result was predictable; opportunity depended on access.

Woodside refuses to accept this inequity as the norm. Our mission is to ensure every student, regardless of background, has a clear and supported path to their future. The College Access Program (CAP) was launched to help realize that goal.

CAP levels the playing field by providing three essential, research-backed college and career readiness supports—all at no cost to families:

  • 35 hours of dedicated test preparation

  • Individualized, one-on-one college essay coaching

  • College campus visits that expose students to real post-secondary options

Launched in 2022, CAP is funded entirely through the generosity of Woodside families and our broader community. No other public high school in the Bay Area offers a program of this depth, scale, and accessibility. And the impact is unmistakable: since CAP began, participation in test prep and essay support has increased by 56%, and student involvement in college campus visits has grown by 25%.

To meet growing demand and guarantee that every student who seeks these critical resources can access them, we must raise $200,000 this year. This investment directly fuels opportunity, equity, and long-term success for hundreds of students who could otherwise be left behind.

Supporting CAP is not just funding a program—it is opening doors, expanding futures, and transforming what is possible for all Woodside students.

If you'd like to discuss ways to make a gift, please contact us at contact@whsfoundation.org.

DONATE HERE
 
 

College Campus Tours

  • NorCal/Pacific Northwest College Campus Tours (50 Juniors)

  • SoCal College Trip (50 Juniors)

  • SoCal 1st Gen College Trips (Sophomores + Juniors)

  • Community College Tours (Sophomores + Up)

 

Standardized Test Prep

  • SAT + ACT 7-Week Test Prep Course (All Juniors)

  • PSAT Boot-Camp (Sophomores Completing Alg 2)

 

College Essay Coaching + College List Advice 

  • College Essay Coaching  (All Juniors) 

  •  Balanced College List Creation (All Juniors) 

 

Career Exploration 

  • Career Expo (All Grades)

  • Career Day TED Style Talks (All Seniors)

  • Job Shadow (225 Sophomores + Up)

 “It was a really nice experience getting to see the college campuses, learning more about the college itself through the tour guides and the size of the school…. I would not have gotten this experience…. Not having to pay for this experience was really a big bonus for me.”   — Nathalie Vazquez, Junior, on her College Campus Visits

“The tutor/mentor really helped me along the way…I was able to send my essays to them, my PIQs (personal interest questions), and snippets of what I wanted to add. They were able to send feedback - very descriptive feedback - and I was able to implement edits that really helped me….They were very helpful,” — Drake Phillips, Senior, on College Essay Coaching

Benefits of CAP

  • Gives students access to college prep programs not otherwise available to them

  • More students will go to a four-year college or preferred college

  • Inspires some to dream bigger 

  • Motivates others to work harder

  • Reduces stress and supports students during the application process

  • Improves application quality

  • Allows College Center to focus on aid and deeper counseling 

  • Improves school’s reputation & standing statewide & nationally

“It is vital!
(CAP) has been life changing and 
transformative for students 
and the entire school community,”
— says Principal van Putten

Donate Here

Answers to FAQs

How do I donate to Fund-a-Need?

There are two ways you can donate to the Fund-a-Need. If you are planning to attend the spring auction, you can donate through paddle raise. Otherwise, you can click on the link here to donate.

What other “college prep-type programming” does WHS offer through school and district funding?

District Funded: The district funds two College Counselors who work in the College + Career Center. The district also funds Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), which is an in-school academic support program for select students focused on college eligibility and success who would not be supported in this manner otherwise. 

Privately Funded: Thanks to a multi-year gift from one generous donor, the Woodside High School Foundation funds one additional College & Career Advisor who oversees CAP. This additional counselor brings the total to three advisors working in the College + Career Center.  There is also private funding for all students to take the PSAT at no-cost to the students. Lastly, the PTSA funds a College Information Night.  

Why does the Woodside High School Foundation need to raise money for CAP? 

Without private funding, CAP will not continue to exist. Unfortunately, donations to the Foundation’s Annual Campaign do not cover the College Access Program costs … yet!  We are confident that over time our Annual Campaign fundraising will increase and cover CAP costs, but we are not there yet. 

Remind me, what does the Annual Campaign fund currently? 

Over time, we expect Annual Campaign fundraising to grow and cover CAP costs. Currently, donations to the Foundation Annual Campaign support these vital academic programs: 

  •  20% Class Size Reduction in core academic classes

  • Expanded Electives and the additional 7th period

  • Summer Acceleration Programs

  • Additional Mental Health Counseling

  • Classroom Tools + Technology costs

How are the donations that are raised for CAP spent?

Donations to the College Access Program go directly to offsetting costs related to college campus tours and trips, SAT and PSAT test prep courses, college essay review and coaching, and college list prep support. These are all opportunities offered to WHS at no cost, and rely on donations for support.

Who manages and oversees CAP at Woodside High School and is responsible for its success?

  • Principal van Putten currently oversees the program strategy to ensure it gets up-and-running well. The College + Career Center will absorb more responsibility for CAP over time. 

  • Outside college experts and vendors run specialty programs within CAP to make sure our programming is best-in-class.  Outside vendors also charge a per student and/or group fee, allowing the school to flex programming based on student need. 

    • ObiCoach for Essay Coaching + Balanced College List Creation

    • AJ Tutoring for Test Preparation

    • Various travel companies for campus trips

  • Woodside High School Foundation has appointed a Board Member to be the liaison between the College Access Program and the donor community.