Model Programs
  Build San Francisco - Architectural Foundation of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Business Industry Technology Academy - Anaheim, CAEast San Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program and Center - West Covina, CAHealth Careers Academy - Palmdale, CA Health Careers Academy - Placerville, CAHealth Professions High School - Sacramento, CAInformation Systems Academy - Lancaster, CALaguna Creek Manufacturing Production Technology Academy - Elk Grove, CA Life Academy of Health and Bioscience - Oakland, CA
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Program - Barstow, CAProject Lead the Way (PLTW) Pre-Engineering Program - Lancaster, CASchool of Digital Media and Design - San Diego, CASpace, Technology and Robotic Systems Academy - Lompoc, CAStanley E. Foster Construction Technology Academy - San Diego, CA
 
Type of program Professional/technical education program
 
Description Build San Francisco (Build SF) is a half-day high school program offering approximately 30 high school juniors and seniors opportunities to learn through academic courses and mentorship opportunities developed around design, construction, engineering, and architecture. Students come from various high schools to attend the program. Build SF is a partnership among the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD), the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco, and more than two-dozen San Francisco professional firms. While the program will accept any student, it is particularly interested in engaging those who are currently bored or frustrated in school as well as those students who have not yet passed the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Founded in 1991 as a summer mentorship program, the program evolved into a year-round school-day program in 1994.
 
Key Characteristics
  • All course credits earned through Build San Francisco meet the UC/CSU “a to g” entrance requirements.
  • The program operates in conjunction with SFUSD, and is recognized as an accredited academic program in which students can earn up to 15 high school credits each semester.
  • The curriculum is project based and focuses on real world design issues facing the city of San Francisco. All projects are student driven and student managed, and instruction is delivered to support the projects. Teachers and mentors work as coaches and guides.
  • Students spend three afternoons a week in Build SF classes—either Urban Studies or Architecture and Design. They spend two afternoons a week working one-on-one with a mentor at a San Francisco architecture, engineering, construction, or interior design firm, or a public agency. The professionals involve students in the work at their office so they can see firsthand how to apply what they are learning.
  • Students use software programs such as Autodesk 3D Studio Max and Autodesk Revit.
  • All students in Build SF set individual learning goals and develop a plan for meeting those goals. The staff conferences with each student once per quarter and peer evaluations are frequent.
  • The Build SF teacher from SFUSD and the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco program manager create curricular materials and manage the program together.