Breaking new ground: Mission Bit launches Digital Innovation Academy — bringing tech education in-school to SFUSD
San Francisco, California — October 2025 — This past semester marked a pivotal moment for Mission Bit: for the first time, we brought our computer science classes directly into the school day at San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). Through our new program, the Digital Innovation Academy (DIA), we partnered with John O’Connell High School and June Jordan School for Equity to launch credited classes that give students real-world tech skills while earning valuable high school credit. The impact has already been inspiring.
But this is more than a scheduling change. By embedding our program within the school day, we’re ensuring that all students have access to tech education—including those who might otherwise miss out because of work, family responsibilities, or other commitments. And we’re doing it in the heart of the tech capital of the world. Yet even here, not every student has the chance to explore the field shaping our future. By expanding in-school access, we’re not only leveling the playing field— we’re making sure the next generation of tech leaders comes from every neighborhood in San Francisco.
This pilot would not have been possible without the principals who recognized the need and welcomed us into their schools, opening the door for their students to see themselves in tech.
Unlocking potential: What students are saying about the Digital Innovation Academy
We’ve been proud to see students not only build new technical skills but also gain confidence and vision for what’s possible. Their reflections show the power of DIA in action:
“I walked in knowing nothing and came out with two websites. In this class, I entered the world of coding, which was new to me, so it was a little difficult, but practice makes perfect, and all the projects we worked on helped bolster my knowledge in computer science.” – Daniel Q., Digital Innovation Academy Student
“Something I most enjoyed about this class was how it pushed me to do something I’ve never done. It taught me something. that might be helpful after high school. The most challenging part was memorizing different codes, they often look alike but do different things. My advice: take notes!” – Samantha H., Digital Innovation Academy Student“I learned to write code on the computer. I also made animations and put pictures on my website.” – Jhordans B., Digital Innovation Academy Student
Students aren’t just learning to code. They’re reflecting critically, supporting one another, and realizing that they belong in the spaces shaping our future.
A testament to dedication: our teachers and partners
The success of DIA comes down to passionate teachers and strong community partnerships.
“The Digital Innovation Academy program allowed Mission Bit’s Web Development course to be delivered during regular school hours. As one of the instructors, it was awesome being involved in this new program and introducing web design and coding to students as part of their formal education. The curriculum team created innovative lessons and programming activities, bringing relevant tech education to the high school level. It’s been a unique experience collaborating with the community of educators and witnessing their efforts to set a foundation for the children to succeed.” – Stephane S., DIA Teacher at June Jordan High School for Equity
“I’m so proud to have been a part of this program, teaching students who otherwise may not have access to computer science education. They continue to surprise and impress me, and it’s a reminder that even when things are challenging, there is an important impact to the work we are doing. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to see these students learn and gain confidence in their skills and am excited to see this program evolve.” – Rebecca C., DIA Teacher at John O’Connell High School
Looking ahead
As we look to expand this model in future semesters, we extend our deepest gratitude to our principals and educators at SFUSD for championing this opportunity, and to Crankstart for their generous investment and belief inthe power of creativity, equity, and access. Their support made the launch of DIA possible, ensuring that every student can imagine new possibilities for their future.
Most of all, we thank our incredible students for showing up each day with curiosity and creativity. We can’t wait to bring this transformative program to even more classrooms across the city — because the future of tech should belong to all of San Francisco’s students.
The launch of the Digital Innovation Academy is just the beginning. Every classroom we reach brings us closer to a future where every student—no matter their background—has access to high-quality computer science education.
To learn more about our impact and growth over the past year, explore our latest annual report. If you believe in creating pathways to tech for all San Francisco students, we invite you to be part of the movement. Whether you’re a volunteer, donor, educator, or advocate, your support helps us continue breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation of innovators. Get involved with Mission Bit and help us make tech education accessible, equitable, and inspiring for all.