Drake students come from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds in a wide geographic area that spans seven towns in central Marin County, north of San Francisco. Together, students and staff have pioneered thematic, project-based curriculum in Drake's five separate academy programs. Students explore topics, gather data, develop working theories, and test and modify hypotheses. Their projects incorporate computer technology including desktop publishing, multimedia, video production and computer graphics. Students use technology to complete authentic projects for local business clients, to help develop the skills necessary for success in college and the workplace.
Many students also work in nationally recognized community-based internship programs.
As a result, our school is part of a highly developed network of businesses and non-profit organizations that act as community partners in the educational process. Description of project Serving as community activists, the students of Academy X at Sir Francis Drake High School decided upon a community issue that they would research in the field, and then propose a solution to the appropriate governmental decision-making group. The student chose to act on the school facilities problems facing the state of California, most specifically the Bay Area. Working in research groups, the students researched the problem by meeting with school officials and state policy makers, and by visiting schools. Next, working in expert groups, the students prepared a variety of tools to publicize the problem and their proposed solutions.