Stanbridge Academy
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CELEBRATE OUR EDUCATORS 
​Annual Gala 2026

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Investing in Stanbridge Academy, Inspiring Students to Shine
Saturday, March 28, 2026
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Farallon Room at Skyline College

Join us for an evening of celebration as we raise funds to invest in our educators - empowering them with the professional development and resources they need to help every student reach their full potential.

About the Event
An Evening of Celebration and Impact

The Stanbridge Academy Annual Gala brings together families, educators, alumni, and community supporters for an evening dedicated to our students and their success. This year, we're raising funds specifically to invest in professional development for our teachers - the cornerstone of exceptional education at Stanbridge.


When we invest in our educators, we invest in our students' futures. Every ticket purchased and every sponsorship secured supports comprehensive training, specialized certifications, and ongoing learning opportunities that allow our faculty to deliver the innovative, personalized instruction our students need to thrive.

Our teachers are experts in learning differences education, and continuous professional development ensures they remain at the forefront of best practices, research, and teaching strategies. Your support directly enhances their ability to help students reach their full potential.

The Evening Includes:
  • Cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres
  • Delicious buffet dinner
  • Live entertainment
  • Exciting donation drawing with premium prizes
  • Inspiring program celebrating our educators and students,  an opportunity to show your support during Raise the Paddle
  • Opportunities to connect with fellow Stanbridge families and supporters

Event Details
What to Expect

Attire: Festive cocktail attire

Schedule:
  • 5:30 PM – Cocktail Reception
  • 7:00 PM – Buffet Dinner Opens
  • 7:30 PM – Program & Entertainment, Including Music and Dancing
  • 9:30 PM – Event Concludes

Menu: A delicious buffet dinner featuring a variety of options to suit all tastes. 

Our Fundraising Tradition

The Stanbridge Gala is our largest one-night fundraiser of the year, and we want all attendees - whether you're a gala veteran or joining us for the first time - to understand how the evening unfolds.

Your sponsorship or ticket purchase is already a meaningful investment in our teachers and students, and we're deeply grateful for that support. During the evening program, we also host Raise the Paddle - a cherished tradition where attendees have the opportunity to make additional contributions at various giving levels. This moment of collective giving generates a significant portion of our fundraising goal and is incredibly powerful to witness.
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Participation in Raise the Paddle is entirely voluntary. Whether you choose to participate in Raise the Paddle, have already made your contribution through sponsorship, prefer to support in other ways, or simply join us to celebrate our community, your presence matters tremendously. Every sponsor, ticket holder, and attendee plays a vital role in making this evening - and our mission - possible.

Venue Information
Farallon Room at Skyline College
3300 College Drive, San Bruno, CA 94066

The Farallon Room offers stunning views and elegant event space, providing the perfect backdrop for our celebration.

Parking: Enjoy complimentary, abundant parking in Lot L, conveniently located in front of the Farallon Room entrance.
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Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible. Please contact us if you have specific accessibility needs so we can ensure your comfort.

View Map & Directions

Individual Tickets
Join Us for the Evening

Individual Tickets: $175 per person
Your ticket includes cocktail reception, buffet dinner and entertainment - all while supporting professional development for Stanbridge educators.

Coming solo or looking to connect with other families? Let us know when you RSVP if you'd like to be seated with other families or individual attendees. We're happy to make introductions and facilitate introductions so everyone feels welcome and comfortable. This is a celebration of our entire community, and we want to ensure you have a wonderful evening whether you're coming with a group or joining us on your own.

Purchase Tickets

Questions about tickets? Contact our advancement office at [email protected]

Sponsorship Opportunities
Make a Lasting Impact as a Gala Sponsor

When you sponsor the Stanbridge Gala, you're investing in the educators who inspire our students every day. Your support funds professional development opportunities that keep our teachers at the cutting edge of learning differences education - from specialized training and certifications to conferences and collaborative learning initiatives.

Sponsorships help underwrite event costs, allowing us to keep individual ticket prices accessible and ensuring that funds raised the night of the gala go directly to supporting our teachers' professional growth. When our educators thrive, our students shine.

Your sponsorship also provides meaningful visibility for your family or business within our engaged community of educators, families and supporters.

Sponsor Levels

PLATINUM SPONSOR — $10,000
Premier recognition and maximum impact

Your Platinum Sponsorship Includes:
  • Premium reserved table with priority placement (seats 10)
  • 20 donation drawing tickets
  • Named presenting sponsor recognition ("Presented by [Your Company/Family Name]")
  • Prominent logo placement on ALL event materials including website, programs and signage
  • Full-page advertisement space in printed program
  • Verbal recognition as top sponsor during gala program
  • Recognition in all post-event communications and thank you materials

GOLD SPONSOR — $7,500
Strong recognition and significant support

Your Gold Sponsorship Includes:
  • Reserved table with preferred placement (seats 10)
  • 15 donation drawing tickets
  • Logo placement on event website, digital communications and event signage
  • Half-page recognition in printed program with logo
  • Verbal recognition during gala program
  • Special sponsor signage at the event
  • Recognition in post-event thank you communications

Special Sponsorship Options
Support what matters most to you with a specialized sponsorship

In addition to our standard sponsorship levels, we offer unique opportunities that allow you to make a targeted impact within our community.

EDUCATOR APPRECIATION SPONSORSHIP — $5,000
Honor the dedicated professionals who make Stanbridge exceptional
Our faculty and staff are the heart of Stanbridge Academy. This sponsorship celebrates their commitment and ensures they can join us for this special evening as we raise funds to invest in their professional growth.

Your Educator Appreciation Sponsorship Includes:
  • 8 tickets for Stanbridge faculty and staff members
  • 2 tickets for you and a guest
  • 15 donation drawing tickets
  • Special recognition as an Educator Appreciation Sponsor in all event materials
  • All Gold Sponsor level benefits and recognition

ALUMNI SPONSORSHIP — $5,000
Support alumni engagement and help former students reconnect with Stanbridge
Our alumni are living proof of what's possible when students with learning differences receive exceptional instruction from well-trained, dedicated educators. This sponsorship helps them remain connected to the Stanbridge community.

Your Alumni Sponsorship Includes:
  • 8 tickets for Stanbridge alumni
  • 2 tickets for you and a guest
  • 15 donation drawing tickets
  • Special recognition as an Alumni Sponsor in all event materials
  • All Gold Sponsor level benefits and recognition​

Recognition Options

Anonymous Giving: All sponsorships may be given anonymously or with your family name or organization prominently recognized in event programs and printed materials before, during, and after the event. The choice is yours.

Recognition Deadline: To be included in printed materials, sponsorship commitments should be received by March 15, 2026. Sponsorships received after this date will still receive all other benefits and recognition.

Tax Deductibility Information
Stanbridge Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 23-7379082). A portion of your sponsorship is tax-deductible as follows:


Platinum Sponsor
Total investment: $10,000
Tax-deductible portion: $8,250


Gold Sponsor
Total investment:$7,500
Tax-deductible portion: $5,750


Educator/Alumni Sponsor
Total investment: $5,000
Tax-deductible portion: $4,650

​The tax-deductible amount reflects the fair market value of seats at $175 per person. Recognition benefits (logo placement, program listing, verbal acknowledgments) do not reduce your deductible amount as they constitute donor acknowledgment rather than advertising. You will receive a formal acknowledgment letter for your tax records.


​Questions About Sponsorship?

We're happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities and can create custom sponsorship packages to meet your goals.
Contact: [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dress code?
Cocktail attire. Dress to celebrate - we want everyone to feel comfortable and festive.

Can I purchase a table for my company or family?
Absolutely. Tables seat 10 guests. Sponsorships include reserved tables with premium placement.

Can students attend?
The gala is designed as an adult 21+ evening event. Alumni who are 21+ are encouraged and welcome to attend.

Can I make a donation if I'm unable to attend?
Yes! We understand not everyone can join us in person. You can make a donation online at any time to support teacher professional development, and we'll recognize your support in our event materials if received by March 15.

When is the RSVP deadline?
We request RSVPs by March 15, 2026 to ensure accurate catering counts and seating arrangements.

Is parking available at the venue?
Yes, complimentary parking is available at Skyline College. 

How will my ticket purchase or sponsorship be used?
Sponsorships underwrite event costs, keeping ticket prices accessible. Funds raised through ticket sales, sponsorships beyond event costs, Raise the Paddle and our donation drawing go directly to supporting professional development for Stanbridge Academy's teachers - including specialized training, certifications, conference attendance, and ongoing learning opportunities that enhance their ability to serve our students.

Can I sponsor anonymously?
Yes. We're happy to process your sponsorship without public recognition if you prefer.

What if I need to cancel my reservation?
We understand plans change. If you are no longer able to attend, please contact the advancement office to donate the value of your ticket or to transfer it to another individual.
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Still have questions? Contact us at [email protected] 
Check out photos from last year's event.

Stanbridge Academy


School Hours

School Day hours
8:25 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Afterschool Program
3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Main Office hours
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact Info

515 E. Poplar Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
Main Office: ​650.375.5860
[email protected]
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​Click here for map

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Employees/Trustees

• Inquire about Admission
​• Access the Parent Portal
• Request a Transcript
Click below to login and access Stanbridge internal sites:
​• Stanbridge Staff site
• Stanbridge Trustee site

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​Stanbridge Academy is fully accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS)
​
and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) through the 2025–2026 academic year.
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Stanbridge Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Stanbridge Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of our educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

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  • About Us
    • From the Head of School
    • Our Mission & Philosophy >
      • What makes Stanbridge unique
    • Our Students >
      • Dawson's Story (HS)
      • Tyler's Story (MidSch)
      • Bence's Story (Elem)
    • Our Alumni >
      • Laura's Story (Class of 2008)
      • Lana's Story (Class of 2011)
      • William's Story (Class of 2012)
      • Sarah's Story (Class of 2013)
    • Our Teachers
    • Our Admin & Support Staff
    • Our Trustees
    • Join Our Team
  • Academics
    • Elementary (K–5)
    • Middle School (6–8)
    • High School (9–12)
  • Student Experience
    • PostSecondary Planning + Support
    • Experiential Learning
    • P.E. & Athletics
    • Visual & Performing Arts
    • Speech & Language
    • Social Emotional Learning
    • Counseling
    • Technology
    • Afterschool & Summer School
    • Student Leadership & Community Service
  • Admissions
    • The Admissions Process
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Open Houses
    • Inquiry Form
    • NPS Placement
  • Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Calendar & Events
    • Bulldog Blog
    • Common Ground
    • SPA Spot
    • Parent Portal
  • Support Us
    • Donate Online
    • Ways to Give
    • Gala 2026
    • Bulldog Wear
    • Other ways to give