
49ers STEM Leadership Institute
Multi-year STEM enrichment, skills training, &
leadership development across middle and high school

The Program
In-School & Extended Hours Programming
The 49ers STEM Leadership Institute (SLI) provides multi-year, year-round academic support, STEM enrichment, skills training, and leadership opportunities to students in middle and high school.
In the program from 7th through 12th grade, students enroll at Cabrillo Middle School and then Santa Clara High School, where they take SLI-specific math & science classes and then AP Seminar and AP Research their junior and senior years respectively. In addition, students commit annually to 300+ hours of program learning time in addition to their typical school hours. By cultivating student mastery in STEM subjects and in key skill areas, the program prepares students for college and empowers them to pursue their passions; so that they may become the well-rounded leaders of the future.
Our Impact
Shifting the way students learn and teachers teach STEM and soft-skills in public school


Gold Bell Award
SLI received the prestigious Golden Bell Award, the highest honor from the state, in 2019
Program Core Values
Collaborative Spirit, Risk Taking, Passion, Communication, Creativity, Curiosity, Determination, Leadership, & Initiative
6-year program
SLI tracks and supports students' growth in hard & soft skills from 7th grade through 12th grade.
College & Career Readiness

Built around STEM subjects, design thinking, soft-skills, our fabrication labs, industry speakers and events, team work, college workshops, and culminating research projects, SLI prepares its students to be critical thinkers and leaders in whatever field(s) they pursue.
Cohort Model
By participating in SLI for six years, students benefit from a supportive, close-knit, network of like-minded peers.
Added Teacher Support
SLI's district teachers have an additional 250+ hours every year to develop interdisciplinary curriculum, support students' needs, & train in new technology & practices.
Testimonials
Who We Are

Facilitation
Administrators
The program’s administrative team works to facilitate extended learning time, the use of lab technologies, workshops, field trips, competitions, and industry partnerships; as well as other administrative support.

Dedication
Teachers
SLI's highly-trained district teachers collaborate on a daily basis to deliver robust interdisciplinary programming that utilizes project-based, experiential learning with real world context
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Collaboration
Partners
The 49ers STEM Leadership Institute is made possible by the strong partnership between Silicon Valley Education Foundation, 49ers Foundation, Chevron, and the Santa Clara Unified School District
ADMISSIONS
Students apply to the program in the late fall of their sixth grade year in order to start the program in 7th grade. We also accept transfer applications from current 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students.
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Apply to join in the 2024-25 school year:
6th grade application are due December 1st, 2023
7th, 8th, & 9th grade applications are due February 2nd, 2024
What does our admissions process look like?
Submit
Application
After submitting their initial application, ALL students submit written responses
Written Responses
After submitting their written responses, selected students will be invited to interview
Student Interviews
Welcome Meeting & 6-year Commitment
Location & Contact
Locations
Cabrillo Middle School
& Santa Clara High School