Innovate FAQs

If you've landed on our FAQ page, you're likely curious about the exciting possibilities we bring to the high school experience. Below, we've compiled answers to the most common questions from students and their families. If you don't find what you're looking for, we're here to help—simply reach out to us through our contact form. Let's dive into the FAQs – your go-to resource for all things Innovate.

  • Innovate is a transformative educational experience designed for high school students. Featuring project-based, mastery-assessed learning and fostering strong personal relationships among teachers, support staff, and peers, Innovate goes beyond the conventional, providing a unique space where students direct a tailored, immersive learning program, encouraged by both academic achievement and personal growth.

  • Currently, there is no application process. Students have the opportunity to mark their interest on the course request form they receive when scheduling for classes. Follow up meetings occur once course requests are submitted.

  • There are approximately 60 students enrolled per grade level. Innovate DP program serves grades 9-12.

  • Absolutely. Students will be able to participate in any extracurricular activities they choose.

  • Yes, honors credit will be available in Math and English.

  • Yes, students are enrolled at DP and other than their grading and course schedule being different, are members of the DP school and student community.

  • No. However, Innovate students can take individual IB courses concurrently with Innovate but will not be able to be in Innovate and the Diploma Programme at the same time.

  • Students will be enrolled in two periods of Innovate out of the four period block day. Innovate classes run periods 1-3. As part of the Innovate program, students will be enrolled in workshops, which change and start with a new focus every 4-6 weeks. Here’s a sample schedule for your reference.

  • Yes, students who earn more credits in a subject than needed for graduation will have the extra credits counted as “electives” on their transcripts.

  • Teachers pitch students upcoming workshops every 8 weeks. Students then choose which workshops they will take for that 8-week period. Here’s what a sample schedule might look like.

  • Yes, students can develop their own project with a teacher-mentor that provides evidence of their competency in multiple subjects. Students will also have regular opportunities to propose workshop topics.

  • No, students will be graded using a four-point mastery scale. Students do not earn credit for assignments that earn a 1, but have the opportunity to revise to earn a proficient score. The score of 2 indicates foundational knowledge in an area; a 3 indicates competency in an area; and a 4 indicates the students ability to extend their knowledge in an area. Scores of 2, 3, 4 earn credits for courses.

  • Yes, letter grades of A, B and C that correlate with their evidence of learning scores of 2, 3 and 4 will be recorded on their transcripts.

  • Yes, the classes offered in this program are A-G approved. Students in the program will be required to take electives in addition to the classes offered in the program, such as art or world languages, to fulfill all A-G requirements.

  • Yes, all student success in mastery learning and competencies will be applicable, competitive and transferable to all institutions of higher learning. We’ve researched other schools throughout the nation that are using this model and are confident that students will not only be competitive but will stand out due to the uniqueness of the program.

  • Innovate uses a learning management system called Empower that allows us to track students’ progress over time. Student families will be provided access when the student joins Innovate and can review their progress at any time.

  • If students do not show proficiency in a competency, they will be offered opportunities for revision and will work with their teachers to make a plan for success.

  • Yes.

  • Homework in Innovate includes any work not finished in class and keeping up with math topics in our math program ALEKS.

  • Yes, students may exit the program. Students will work with their counselors to develop an exit plan to help with the transition back to traditional classes.

  • After witnessing a number of bright, motivated, high-potential students becoming more and more frustrated with conventional methods and grading systems, the idea of Innovate was born with the vision that we could create new possibilities in education by individualizing the student experience.

    Our team, including SBUSD teachers and administrators, engaged in an extensive research and creation process to make that vision a reality. We traveled to national conferences and multiple school sites across the country that were successfully implementing these ideas to various degrees. Armed with this inspiration, we developed the Innovate DP program for students that wanted a different high school experience where they could be more involved in the creation of their specific education journey. To date, the program has seen amazing success with 72% of Innovate students on track for four-year college eligibility, surpassing the Santa Barbara district average of 63% and the state average of 43.8%. (cde.ca.gov).

  • Innovate students are motivated, creative students that have to date not been inspired by the traditional education format. They are independent, critical thinkers who gravitate to hands-on activities and seek more personal choice in how they learn and would benefit from being part of the Innovate community made up of fellow students, teachers, coaches and mentors.