Breakthrough Silicon Valley

Breakthrough Silicon Valley offers a seven-year odyssey that uses a tailored blend of academic rigor, personalized advising, and leadership development. The program uses a students-teaching-students model with near peer mentors and role models through Teaching Fellows and peer mentors, and it includes meaningful career exposure and family education that the organization describes as unparalleled. Its approach is based on research-driven, data-backed methodologies that have garnered national acclaim, and it is guided by a Vision 2025 three-year strategic plan to deepen support for students and families, strengthen peer mentorship for college success, and provide more individualized support at all grade levels.

• Schedule: Offices are open until 7:00 p.m. during the school year and until 5:00 p.m. during the summer.

Born in 2002 from a partnership between Applied Materials and the San Jose Unified School District, Breakthrough Silicon Valley prepares highly motivated students to become the first in their family to graduate from college and inspires emerging leaders to be the next generation of educators and advocates for equity. Alongside local partners, supporters, and students, the organization states that it is working to close the opportunity gap and support first-generation college students’ success, and it is deeply rooted in the communities it serves. More than 60% of the team are from the first generation in their families to graduate from college. Accolades for Breakthrough Silicon Valley include the Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award and a 1.4 million dollar federal AmeriCorps award.

Last updated May 10, 2026.