Norte Vista is home to the Green Construction Academy (GCA). Our academy is a California Partnership Academy (CPA) SBX1.1, established in 2012 as one of less than 20 such high school academies in the state.

California Partnership Academies (CPA) focus on a career themed smaller learning community; a 4-year college and career pathway; industry certification; hands-on project-based learning model; lots of hard work and a lot of fun. We offer a rigorous academic (a-g college prep) and career technical education, a committed team of teachers, and active business/post-secondary partnerships.

The Construction Technology program at Norte Vista High School involves classroom and work-site competencies in the following areas: basic construction math, project organization, starting the job, foundations and support structures, practices and procedures for standard wood framing, exterior wall and roof coverings, repairing and/or altering old and new structures and new technologies. Students develop skills in:

• Project planning

• Layout

• New and remodeling construction, foundations, and finishing

• Design skills; incorporated through actual construction projects both on and off campus

Recently, the program has adopted a new set of curriculum (Career Connections) through our partnership with the Southwest Regional Carpenter’s Union. Students learn through a graduated model, which incorporates hands-on project building throughout the year. It is through our partnership with Southwest Regional Carpenter’s Union that we have been able to connect our graduates with apprenticeship programs AND full-time employment.

Our program strives to reach outside of the classroom as well, giving students opportunity to work with the community utilizing the skills they have learned. We regularly perform on-campus collaboration projects that provide assistance and support to various departments throughout the district.

We are hosting Saturday Academies this school year to help promote our program, allowing all student access. This is a great opportunity for our students to enjoy a hands-on experience while digging deeper into the construction industry. The first Saturday Academy is on Sept 11th, where participants will build rustic wooden flags in remembrance of 9-11.

The future is very bright for our Green Construction Academy and Construction Technology. Throughout the school year we have collaborative projects, field trips, guest speakers, mentoring/advisory meetings, and integrated projects.

• GRID ALTERNATIVES (GRID) serves on our advisory committee providing classroom instruction in the solar industry and hands-on training in solar installation within communities served by the Riverside Public Utilities. Job shadowing under the watchful eye of licensed contractors provides GCA students with mentoring and expert training.

• INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF ELECTRICAL WORKERS (IBEW Local 440) serves on our advisory committee providing industry classroom speakers, mentoring, field days at the Inland Empire Joint Apprenticeship Training Center, MultiCraft Core Curriculum (MC-3) endorsements, OSHA-10 certification, electrician's apprenticeship priority, and job placement.

• RIVERSIDE PUBLIC UTILITIES (RPU) serves on our advisory committee providing classroom speakers, classroom demonstrations, and equipment donations.

• WESTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT (WMWD) provides significant funding for the annual Solar Cup competition, school board presentations, community service projects, and curriculum.

• NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNION (NABTU) provides the MC-3 national pre-apprenticeship training program, MC-3 certification, online curriculum, and resources.

• RIVERSIDE & SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL hosts semi-annual trades career fairs and provides a vital link to the Inland Empire construction trades.