apply to be a breakthrough silicon valley student

  • Is college something you have thought about?

  • Do you see yourself attending a college or university?

  • Do you have hopes and dreams to achieve great things in your life?

  • Do you love to learn and have fun in the process?

If you answered "yes" to all of these questions, Breakthrough Silicon Valley may be the right program for you! We seek motivated students who are ready to work hard to achieve their dreams.

 

To be eligible For the program:

  • Be a current 6th grader at a San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) or Franklin-McKinley School District (FMSD) public school (see list of eligible schools below)

  • Be willing to commit to our seven-year program

  • Perform at grade level or higher in core academic subjects (some students nearing grade level may be considered)

  • Identify as a first-generation college student

  • Demonstrate a compelling economic need for a no-cost program

  • Show motivation for learning

 

LIST OF ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS

We have official partnerships with SJUSD and FMSD and can only accept applications from students who are enrolled in one of these two districts. To be accepted, students and families must be willing to commit to our program through 12th grade. Students MUST currently attend one of the following schools in the 6th grade to apply to BTSV:

San Jose Unified School District:
Bret Harte, Castillero, Hoover, John Muir, Ohlone, River Glen, Willow Glen

Franklin-McKinley School District
Dahl, Franklin, Hellyer, Kennedy, Lairon, McKinley, Meadows, Ramblewood, Santee, Shirakawa, Stonegate, Windmill Springs

Students who do not attend any of the above schools in the 6th grade are ineligible to apply.

 

Interviews

After the application deadline, a group of students will be invited to participate with their parents in a family interview during the second round of the application process. Not all students will be invited to interview.

Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis from January to April, and will take place in-person or video conferencing.

 

Decision NOTICES

Our new class of students is selected based on the student and parent applications, recommendations, and interview.

Decision notices will be sent out on a rolling basis but no later than the middle of April 2024.


 

starting the journey

Newly admitted students and families will participate in a New Family Welcome Orientation in May 2024. Students will then begin their seven-year journey at the end of June 2024 on the first day of our summer program!

(exact dates to be provided and discussed during the interview process)

 

Summary of Important Dates

All dates subject to change

  • Application Opens: October 2023

  • Information Sessions and Office Hours: October 2023 - January 2024

  • Application Deadline: February 23, 2024

  • Interview Dates: On a rolling basis between January-April, 2024

  • Decision Notifications: By MID April 2024

  • First Day of Summer: Late June 2024 (Exact date to be provided during the interview process)

 

Ready to Apply?

Our application window for the Class of 2030 is NOW OPEN!

If you have any further questions, you can browse through our staff catalog and reach out to anyone!