Intersession & Internships

Two students in a classroom wearing virtual reality headsets and holding VR controllers, engaging in a VR activity while others assist.

Intersession Overview:
Knowledge in Action

One unique educational experience offered to Design Tech High School students is the opportunity to participate in Exploration classes during three two-week periods during the school year.

Intersession classes are mandatory instructional time, and students earn credits for graduation. Intersession for juniors and seniors may also provide an opportunity to complete internships. We will notify you if there are last-minute changes to a class.

Intersession Helps Students:

  • Explore new disciplines and industries

  • Develop Design Thinking skills and mindsets

  • Have a meaningful experience outside their daily school context

  • Visualize their futures as productive and solution-finding members of the community.

2025-2026
Intersession Schedule

Intersession 1: 10/20/25 -10/31/25

Intersession 2: 1/26/26 - 2/6/26

Intersession 3: 4/27/26 - 5/8/26

Intersession Course List - coming soon!

Check out this slide deck highlighting some of the classes from last year. New offerings will be posted soon!

*Attendance is mandatory during Intersession. Students who miss more than two days of Intersession or leave early often are at risk of earning an Incomplete in their class(es), so please avoid absences during Intersession.

Important Info

  • Exploration

    All courses are worth 2.5 credits. Most courses are pass/incomplete.

    Internships

    Seniors and Juniors may be eligible to participate in an internship (worth 2.5 credits). Internships are graded on a letter grade.

  • 8:45am - 9:00am Advisory

    9:03am - 12:00pm AM Exploration

    12:00pm - 12:30pm Lunch

    12:33pm - 3:35pm PM Exploration

    **All students taking an afternoon Exploration course have class until 3:35pm, including 11th & 12th graders.

  • Class choices are posted 5-6 weeks in advance. During Intersession registration, students are asked to submit four class choices for AM Exploration and four options for PM Exploration. Placement is based on submission of the course request before the deadline, class capacity and demand, as well as graduation requirements and other prerequisites.

    The goal of Exploration classes is to give students a variety of educational experiences, taught mainly by industry professionals.

  • The Internship Program is offered to Junior and Senior students.

    • Internships are highly encouraged as they allow students to share design thinking with the greater community and promote knowledge in action.

    • They help broaden the student’s scope and inform potential career paths.

    • Students apply success skills and design thinking mindsets in every internship, regardless of career industry or personal interest.

    • Note: Community college classes do not pause during Intersession, which may make it difficult to participate in an Internship.

    Questions? Please contact our internship specialist, Kelly Mendoza

  • We depend on volunteers to help us get students to and from their exploration classes and field trips.

    If you are interested in volunteering as an intersession driver, please complete the Volunteer Requirements Form. Thank you for your willingness to help out! 

  • Dr. Marbella Alfonzo, Associate Director / Partnerships, Team Leader

    Liz Sloan, Intersession Specialist • Registration/Volunteers/Forms

    Kelly Mendoza, Internships