SFUSD Board Unanimously Rejects Dragon Gate Academy's Mandarin Immersion Charter School Petition

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) School Board has unanimously rejected the petition for Dragon Gate Academy, a proposed K-8 Mandarin-immersion charter school. The decision, made on August 26, 2025, has intensified the debate surrounding the expansion of Chinese language education within the district, prompting groups like the Chinese Parent Advisory Council (CPAC-SF) to call for immediate action from SFUSD leadership.

CPAC-SF, in a recent social media post, thanked Dragon Gate Academy "for lighting the fire in the urgency of @SFUnified Mandarin-immersion education," adding, "We need to see you deliver ⁦⁦@SFUSD_Supe⁩!" This tweet underscores the persistent demand from parents for more accessible Mandarin immersion programs in the city.

The SFUSD board's 7-0 vote to deny the charter followed a staff recommendation that cited several concerns. District officials argued that the proposed school's educational model was not "workable" and raised significant financial implications for the already cash-strapped district. A report estimated that Dragon Gate Academy, at full scale, could lead to an annual loss of over $5 million in funding for SFUSD.

Beyond financial concerns, the district's staff report questioned the charter's plans for measuring student achievement, ensuring proper staffing, recruiting a diverse student body, and supporting special education students. The proposal also faced opposition from teachers' unions, which generally resist the expansion of charter schools due to concerns about funding diversion and non-unionized staff.

In response to the growing demand for Mandarin immersion and preceding the charter vote, SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Maria Su announced in July 2025 the district's own plans to launch a new K-8 Mandarin Dual Language Immersion school by 2027. This initiative, supported by philanthropic funding, aims to expand access and strengthen Chinese bilingual education within the district's existing framework.

Despite the rejection, Brian Hollinger, who leads the parent coalition behind Dragon Gate Academy, confirmed that the group intends to appeal the decision to the California State Board of Education. This move sets the stage for a continued push for expanded Mandarin immersion options, highlighting the ongoing tension between parent-led initiatives and district-managed solutions in San Francisco.