High School
About the program
BPEA High School shatters traditional boundaries by placing student passions at the heart of learning. Our students don't just attend school—they actively shape their educational journey through authentic, real-world experiences.
- Interest-driven learning pathways unique to each student
- Professional mentorship and community internships
- Comprehensive student life including athletics, arts, and leadership opportunities
- Extended learning support through our enrichment-focused afterschool program
- Real-world problem-solving that transforms communities
- Special education services
- Mental health / counseling services
Our Focus
_1787241558.jpg)
Helping students develop real-world skills and knowledge
Our goal is to use internships and rigorous, interest-based projects to immerse students in work they are passionate about in order to develop the skills, habits, and knowledge to succeed in higher education, overcome obstacles to their well-being, and contribute positively to their communities. This mission is implemented one student at a time within a supportive network of staff, students, parents, and community partners.
An interest-based learning, unique to each student
Big Picture High School is a project and interest based school where students can pursue their passion while also meeting the state academic standards and the UC (A-G) requirements. The school philosophy is that we are “Proudly Unlike Other Schools”. Through BPEA internships, students work with a community mentor in an area of their interest and complete a project around the work they do. Students have personal learning plans that are reviewed quarterly after the student’s exhibition of learning. Parents and families are actively involved in the learning process, help to shape the student’s learning plan, and are utilized as resources to the school community. The result is a student-centered learning design, where students are actively invested in their learning and are challenged to pursue their interests by a supportive community of educators, professionals, and family members.
Learning Through Internships - Project Based Learning
Each student at Big Picture High School is part of a small learning community of 20 or less students called an advisory. The advisor, a teacher who works with this small group of students for the duration of their high school experience, assists the students with their instructional programs and builds a relationship with each student and their families. Each student works closely with their advisor to identify interests and personalize learning.
At BPEA, our hands-on, project-based, deeper learning instructional model intentionally utilizes real-word scenarios to enhance students’ critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, communication, and problem solving skills needed for life and in our current and future work environment. We use our project-based approach to connect with businesses and service organizations in the community to establish internships.
Our Learning Through Internship (LTI) Program is a key component of our students’ education. Every student is expected to actively pursue and participate in an LTI while enrolled at Big Picture High School. One day per week, students leave campus to go out into the community and work at their LTI sites. This helps our students gain real world knowledge and experience. We have a team of educators that are here to help each student succeed in their respective LTIs. Advisors and LTI coordinators work closely with students and their families to find the right fit for each student.
