At Burton, we believe that in addition to providing engaging and relevant curriculum in the classroom, that the real learning takes place by doing. Opportunities that allow our students to experience the professional world through the lens of industry partners are key in propelling our students forward. We believe that your work with our students is the most relevant form of both personal and professional development they can experience, and will support the development of future engaged, aware, and effective citizens who ultimately build their communities up.
Burton is a “wall-to-wall” academy school. This means that we offer specialized career and technical education to our students in the form of project-based learning classes taken during the school day. The Academies at Burton are small, diverse learning communities designed to personalize the educational experience for all students. Burton’s Wall-to-Wall Academies facilitates relationship building by enabling students and teachers to work collaboratively through curriculum that is engaging, contextual, and theme-based. Our Academies establish relationships with industry partners in the Bay Area, who help lead our students in having a better understanding of the perspectives and expectations of working in their field. Being in an Academy is a huge part of the Burton student experience, as students enter into their Academies in 10th grade, and continue with the same group of peers all the way until graduation. Our Wall-to-Wall Academies include:
AME: Academy of Arts, Media, and Entertainment
AoE: Academy of Engineering
AoHS: Academy of Health Science
AoPA: Academy of Performing Arts
All Burton Academy of Arts, Media, and Entertainment (AME) students are inquisitive and collaborative learners who apply their skills to serve local and global communities and use technology to solve real-world problems. They are prepared for professional success and are critical consumers and producers of technology and media.
10th Grade: The course will offer through technology a broad view of the arts as expressed in graphics, web design, animation, and sound. You will be learning high-end graphics programs such as Adobe CS5; Photoshop, Illustrator, and Animate CC. Students will create their own website using Github while learning to code in HTML5 and CSS4. We will gain a greater understanding of the arts, technology, and the world of graphic arts.
11th Grade: Broadcast Media II provides a hands-on introduction to digital video. The course guides students through all phases of digital video production, including pre-production, planning, and pitching, executing and managing a video shoot, and editing and post-production. Students also develop their graphic design and web skills, as well as explore social media. Finally, students have a chance to discover and plan for the types of careers that exist in digital media and design today.
12th Grade: In the Senior year, AME students will reflect on their summer internship experiences and use the skills they have gained to design and help implement a service project for the school and/or community.
The Academy of Engineering (AoE) seeks to develop students in a manner that is highly engaging and uses hands-on, project-based, contextualized curriculum as a vehicle to promote our students’ success. Most importantly students use evolving technologies to reinforce and apply math and science concepts and research skills to solve real world challenges. In doing so, students acquire the key elements and skills of creativity and teamwork essential for engineering and technology-based careers.
10th Grade: Are you curious about how things work? Engineering I is your gateway to the world of innovation and problem-solving. This hands-on, introductory course invites 10th-12th grade students to explore the Engineering Design Process (EDP) through exciting, real-world projects. You’ll learn the basics of circuits, design, and teamwork while developing critical thinking skills. Perfect for students who love to tinker, build, and create, this course will inspire your inner engineer. Parents, rest assured—your student will gain a solid foundation in engineering principles, preparing them for advanced study or careers in STEM.
11th Grade: Take your engineering skills to the next level! In Engineering II, students delve deeper into civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering concepts, focusing on projects like bridge design and advanced circuit building. This course emphasizes data analysis, teamwork, and applying the Engineering Design Process to solve complex problems. It’s ideal for students who enjoyed Engineering I or have a passion for creating innovative solutions. Parents, this course equips your student with both technical expertise and collaborative skills that are highly valued in today’s world.
12th Grade: Ready to tackle real-world challenges? Engineering III offers advanced students the opportunity to lead design projects, work with engineering data, and develop professional-level solutions. With a focus on civil and environmental engineering, this course is perfect for those aiming to make a difference through sustainable and impactful designs. Students will take on capstone projects that showcase their creativity, leadership, and technical skills. Parents, this course prepares your student for competitive college programs and future careers in engineering fields.
The Burton High School Academy of Health Sciences (AoHS) provides an interdisciplinary academic program to invigorate students in their pursuit to successfully complete the coursework required for college/ university matriculation. By providing students with real world experiences, our inspired student leaders perform a vital role to the healthcare industry.
10th Grade: Students enrolled in this course will be introduced to academic foundations for health science. The course will focus on medical terminology, the human body, current healthcare issues, community interaction, and scientific research.
11th Grade: Students enrolled in this course will have the opportunity to explore a broad range of health science careers that are available to them in addition to building upon the academic foundation in year one. The course will focus on career clusters and employability skills while proving for an internship position in the summer. Additionally, students in Health Science will earn their CPR/First Aid Certification, as well as participating in various health-related internship opportunities.
12th Grade: Students in this course focus on basic concepts in molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, and forensics. Students gain an understanding of how these concepts are applied in the biotechnology industry and how these applications affect society. The course offers students the opportunity to simultaneously master laboratory techniques in the biotechnology industry and field techniques in forensic science while using critical thinking, communications, technical reading, writing skills, and teamwork.
The Academy of Performing Arts’ (AoPA) mission is to enrich students’ lives through the study and performance of music. Through ensemble- based learning, AoPA students refine real-world skills, such as critical listening, creativity, discipline, leadership, respect, and collaboration with others. The unique experience of ensemble-based learning fosters a close-knit community of artistically and musically literate citizens. Ultimately, our aim is to provide each student with a solid foundation in music, therefore providing tools and competencies for success across virtually all fields and career paths.
10th Grade Intermediate Band: This beginning level course is a non-auditioned/no experience required instrumental ensemble. Students will learn music fundamentals such as reading, music notation, analyzing, and evaluating music. Instruments include flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, tuba, baritone, and percussion.
11th Grade Advanced Band: This is an ensemble for students with at least one year of experience on their instrument except for percussionists. Students will hone their talents and skills through performance of high level repertoire.
12th Grade Advanced Percussion: This is an ensemble for students with at least one year of experience in percussion. Students will hone their talents and skills through performance of high level repertoire.
10th Grade Dance 1: As we study dance genres such as African, K-pop, hip hop, Latin, contemporary, tap, body percussion, and majorette, we will explore choreography, space, time, energy, artistry, ourselves, and social experiences. Any genre we don’t study together as a whole class is still possible for you to explore during dedicated class time for Independent Study. You will participate in at least one public performance per semester.
11th Grade Dance 2: As we study elements of dance such as level, focus, pathway, rhythm, flow, and relationships, we will explore choreography, space, time, energy, artistry, ourselves, and social experiences. Any genre we don’t study together as a whole class is still possible for you to explore during dedicated class time for Independent Study. You will participate in at least one public performance per semester.
12th Grade Dance 3: In the Senior year, Dance students will culminate their dance experience by collaborating on a senior-led dance ensemble representing a theme of their choice.
As a “wall-to-wall” academy school, Burton offers specialized career and technical education to all students in the form of project-based learning classes taken during the school day. Our four academies provide engaging and relevant curricula, where students are able to apply their new knowledge and skills to real-world situations. In order to amplify youth interest and connection to their respective academies, all students are provided immersive career exposure and work-based learning experiences. These opportunities are made possible through our impactful and meaningful industry partnerships with industry professionals all around the Bay Area. Our philosophy to transformative learning consists of three main components:
Engaging & Relevant Curricula:
Burton’s emphasis on a project–based curriculum in each academy allows students to see the “real world” applications to their learning, and to apply their knowledge to serve their community. Academy courses are paired with core courses to give rigor and relevance to those courses as well.
Immersive Work-Based Learning:
By their sophomore year, all Burton students participate in immersive work-based learning experiences. These experiences consist of, but are not limited to: guest speakers, industry partner-guided projects, worksite tours, job shadows, and internship opportunities. These transformative experiences provide our students with opportunities to explore and better envision their postsecondary pathways.
Impactful Industry Partnerships:
Through robust partnerships with Bay Area community-based organizations and industry partnerships, Burton is able to immerse our students into real world industry settings, as well as develop the necessary career readiness skills.
