Based on the success of Clairemont High School's award-winning Academy of Business, the Moxie Foundation approached San Diego Unified School District and Clairemont High in 2014 with the concept of establishing three additional academies within the comprehensive high school.
Dedicated to enriching and empowering individuals and communities by advancing educational achievement and entrepreneurial success,
Moxie Foundation founder Irwin Zahn created a vision for Clairemont to provide a total school transformation by offering all students the opportunity to participate in the Linked Learning Academy Pathway model.
Linked Learning is a proven approach to education that transforms students' high school experience by bringing together college-focused academics, work-based learning, and intensive student supports. Linked Learning students follow industry-themed pathways in a wide range of fields, such as engineering, arts and media, biomedicine and health. These pathways prepare high school students for careers and a full range of postsecondary options, including attending a 2- or 4- year college or university, an apprenticeship and formal employment training.
After many months of planning and collaboration with the Clairemont community, teachers, business partners and students, San Diego Unified School District formally partnered with the Moxie Foundation, which provided a grant to establish three new Academies at Clairemont. Each Academies' focus was based on anticipated growth in the specific industry area whereby career opportunities in San Diego would be most available. The new academies are:
Academy of Business
Academy of Digital Media Production
Academy of Health & Medical Sciences
Academy of Information Technology
The new academies officially opened Fall 2015 with grade levels 9-10 and will include grade levels 9-11 in school year 2016-17. The Academy of Digital Media Production launches Fall 2023. The Academy of Engineering Design stopped accepting student in Spring 2023.