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InFocus students set up the press box at Earl Hansen Stadium in preparation for the livestream they will be conducting during the Thursday graduation ceremony at Palo Alto High School. According to Rod Satterthwaite, the adviser for the broadcast journalism class, the livestream is a great way to open up the accessibility of the ceremony. “It provides the community benefit," Satterthwaite said. "It offers people who can't come because of disabilities or because they live far away the opportunity to watch their grandchild or child walk across the stage and be present for that moment.”

Mack Reller, Reporter • June 3, 2026

InFocus, Palo Alto High School's broadcast publication, will be livestreaming the graduation for the Class of 2026 at 5 p.m. Thursday from Earl...

Palo Alto High School math teacher Daniel Nguyen, who will be teaching Multivariable Calculus next year, prepares to teach his Algebra 2/Trig A class Monday. According to Nguyen, he is eager to begin teaching students the applications and concepts that the course entails. “I'm really looking forward to showing a lot of cool material that shows up in these classes,” Nguyen said. “There are a lot of applications and just a lot of interesting concepts that I'm glad students are going to be able to learn.”

Students look forward to on-campus Multivariable Calculus class

Diego Hakeman and Oscar Varodayan • June 3, 2026

For many Palo Alto High School students working through the school’s on-campus advanced math program, AP Calculus BC has been the end of the...

Palo Alto leaders offer contrasting perspectives on the proposed parcel tax renewal at a May 18 community debate at the district office. Speaking in opposition to Measure B, former Palo Alto Unified School District board member Ken Dauber said high reserves mitigate need for extra financial padding, and that he believes voters will step up if a need returns. “I trust the community to do what it has done for the last 25 years, which is to recognize the need when it sees it,” Dauber said.

City debates parcel tax renewal ahead of June ballot

Priya Tamura, Editor-in-Chief • June 1, 2026

As Palo Alto voters prepare for the June 2 election, community members are weighing whether the school district’s $100 million reserve justifies...

Senior Shalin Dwivedi walks past a now-removed mural, gifted by the Latinos Unidos, depicting a variety of influential social activists, including César Chávez at the top that Palo Alto High School administration took down. According to visual arts teacher Tracey Atkinson, making a new mural would be a big time commitment for students interested. "People think it [a mural] can be done in like 5 hours, but really it's more like 100 hours," Atkinson said. "Sometimes students get very excited about an idea, but then don't actually want to put the time in to make it happen because they're very busy and that's understandable."

Chavez allegations prompt removal of school mural

Ava Knapp and Joy Tan • May 29, 2026

Yesterday, Palo Alto High School administrators removed a Student Center mural honoring social activists following recent sexual abuse allegations...

Student counselor Jack Foster (right) leads an activity for the Purple People Eaters group during the 2023 Together Everyone Achieves More Yosemite camping trip. According to TEAM English teacher Karin Kolb (center), TEAM was created with the idea that people working together can build a richer experience. “I'm not saying that everyone's going to find their lifelong best friend in TEAM, but we can promise that you can feel more comfortable in a community way with TEAM,” Kolb said. “Even the most shy, quiet, withdrawn kid knows they can walk up to one of their teammates and ask them for help on an assignment and get it.”

TEAM program changes direction

Navya Narayanan, Joyce Ma, and Jack Lindauer • May 28, 2026

After 32 years, Palo Alto High School’s Together Everyone Achieves More program will undergo significant changes next school year due to high...

Student athletes gather on the steps of for Signing Day as they celebrate their commitment to collegiate-level sports at lunch Tuesday on the steps of the Tower Building at Palo Alto High School. According to senior Fallon Porter, who is committed to Occidental College for swim and water polo, she is looking forward to a new chapter in her journey. "I’m really excited to play with another team,” Porter said. “I’m kind of nervous, but I’m really excited.”

Student athletes celebrate college commitments on Signing Day

Allison Ma and Veronica Qiu • May 20, 2026

Surrounded by teammates, coaches and family members holding college hats and cameras, Palo Alto High School seniors celebrated the next chapter...

According to Frank Zeccola, attorney for former Palo Alto High School robotics instructor Kathleen Krier, Krier's case against the Palo Alto Unified School District was "defensed," meaning the defense — PAUSD — won in Tuesday's verdict at the Santa Clara County Superior Court.

Santa Clara jury rejects Kathleen Krier’s claims against PAUSD

Diego Hakeman and Juni Thurston • May 12, 2026

Following a years-long legal battle, a Santa Clara County Superior Court jury sided with the Palo Alto Unified School District on Tuesday, rejecting...

Members of Palo Alto High School's K-pop Dance Club, PALYCE, stand in the starting formation of their Quadchella performance. According to Thais Gonzalez, a member in the dance performance, the group practiced frequently to bring their best moves. "We had early morning, lunch break, weekends and after-school sessions — over 10 practices in total," Gonzalez said. "That consistency and commitment to each other is what really brought the performance together."

Quadchella energizes community campus with Spring Spirit Week finale

Allison Ma and Veronica Qiu • April 30, 2026

No one else was in the room where it happened. From a rendition of songs from the musical “Hamilton” to an energy-filled K-pop dance,...

Features

Palo Alto High School seniors toss their papers into the air during Friday’s senior celebration on the Quad. According to senior Aryav Singh, the final tradition of tossing graduation papers marked both a sense of relief and the emotional close of his high school experience. “Throwing the papers felt like a weight off of my shoulders, but it was also sad because it kind of felt like the end of a lot of memories that I'm going to miss," Singh said.

Lessons from the graduating class

Lucas Arai and Sebastian Tung • June 2, 2026

Throughout high school, students go through many different passions and experiences. In the end, there is often a lingering question of what...

Former professional basketball player Chikezie Jake Okpala explains how he persevered through the ups and downs of life as a student athlete. Okpala calls himself a late bloomer, only gaining recognition for his talent during his later years of high school. “I was 5’10 my freshman year in high school,” Okpala said. “I was on JV at a no-name school in Anaheim.”

KZ Okpala on balancing life as a student-athlete

Jack Lindauer and Roshan Gautham • June 2, 2026

Education first, sports second. Former NBA player and Stanford University athlete, Chikezie Jake Okpala — also known as KZ — has lived by...

Past Curfew: Tiny Desk captures a local cover band playing overtime

Priya Tamura and Liani Ragade • June 1, 2026

Long after the Silicon Valley work day ends, a local garage comes alive with the sound of a band playing just a little bit...

Culture

Manager Zanda Robinson prepares drinks at the new Ralph's Coffee, which opened April 16 at the Stanford Shopping Center alongside the Ralph Lauren Store. According to Robinson, the ingredients used are of high quality and standards. "Most of our coffee is from La Colombe. ... They have a very serious rep with their coffee and very serious standards. ... All of the baristas that work here have to learn from a La Colombe representative."

Review: Ralph Lauren brings polos and espressos

Sophie Zhang and Allison Ma • May 20, 2026

Ralph Lauren Co. is most known for its polo shirts, and maybe you’ve seen its fragrances, but have you ever considered its coffee? The company...

Alyssa Bond, director of the Associated Student Body, plans out Prom logistics for Palo Alto High School. According to Bond, the BTS concert affected the prom’s setting but not the planning. “We had to move the pick up and drop off location away from Paly to Gunn due to the heavy traffic that will be in the Paly area,” Bond said, “It didn't affect too much besides that bit of logistics. In fact, we work with a wonderful event planning company that is partnered with the venue that handles most logistics. This allows students to focus on the fun stuff like decorations, activities, and the menu.”

Preview: Prom promises pizzazz

Veronica Qiu and Sarah Hsieh • May 15, 2026

Under colorful lights and grand chandeliers, an exciting Night in Rio awaits students at Palo Alto High School’s Prom on May 16 at the San...

Staff prepare orders at the front counter on May 1 at Yutori, Palo Alto’s newest Japanese-inspired café and market. According to co-owner Lily Peng, the restaurant attracts a wide range of customers from around the neighborhood. “We have families that come with their kids because we have a lot of offerings for children,” Peng said. “There’s also a ton of businesses in the near area.”

Review: Yutori brings Japanese tastes, experiences to Palo Alto

Allison Ma and Sarah Hsieh • May 12, 2026

A café, a market and an upcoming full-service dining experience — all in one space? A newly opened Japanese restaurant in Palo Alto brings...

Devon (Sadie Sandler) and Celeste (Chloe East) lie on their bed in their dorm watching a movie, in the movie "Roommates" directed by Chandler Levack.

Before you pick a roommate, watch ‘Roommates’

Joy Tan, Senior Staff Writer • April 26, 2026

It's late April. Finals are breathing down your neck, but let's be honest, most of you seniors aren't thinking about exams. You're doom-scrolling...