Today, it is one of the few schools to offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme within the San Francisco Bay Area.
[12] The present-day campus is located on the grounds of the former estate of Horace Hawes, author of the legislative bill that created San Mateo County.
[8] Remnants of the site's earlier owners, from over 115 years ago, are still visible on campus today, including an original set of concrete benches and walls on the eastern expanse of the school, built prior to 1905.
[6] On September 13, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited Sequoia High School to sign bill SB 35, which prohibits persons who are under the age of 18 years from using a wireless telephone or other mobile service device while operating a motor vehicle.
"[17] In 2001, following presentations from students, teachers, and the school's Alumni Association, the board of trustees voted to change the mascot, while still retaining the Cherokees team name.
The student group organized surveys, presented to the board of trustees, met with the Alumni Association, and produced an informative video capturing both sides of the issue.
With support from the BUILD organization, students learn business techniques and apply them to a small product that their team has engineered.
Teachers "loop" with students and move with them through their years in the program within a specific subject area, such as English, Science, Social Studies, and Career Technical Education.
Through partnerships with local organizations, students in the academy also host various events on campus, including an annual Health Fair and a youth heart screening.
On March 4, 2019, the HCA was recognized by the California Department of Education at a conference in Sacramento, where it was selected as one of seven distinguished academies in the state, out of nearly 400 other programs.
[22] Sequoia High School began offering the International Baccalaureate Programme in February 2002, under Principal Morgan Marchbanks.
Sequoia High School offers a wide range of IB classes for students in English, history, math, science, electives, and languages.