At Del Norte High School, students are experiencing firsthand what it means to learn by doing. One of the most powerful examples comes from our Building & Construction Trades pathway, where students are working on a fully functional tiny home—built from the ground up.

Under the guidance of their teacher, Eileen Silvey—who is not only an educator but also a licensed contractor—students are gaining real-world, hands-on experience in the construction trades. From framing and electrical planning to cabinetry and finishing work, they’re mastering industry-level skills while contributing to a project they can proudly showcase for years to come.

But this tiny home is more than just a classroom assignment. It represents what Career Technical Education (CTE) looks like in Del Norte: meaningful, challenging, authentic learning that connects students directly to future careers. These opportunities give students confidence, build technical proficiency, and open doors to high-wage, high-demand fields across California and beyond.

Whether students pursue construction, engineering, culinary arts, digital media, agriculture, or another pathway, DNUSD’s CTE programs are designed to help them explore their interests, apply their skills, and discover what’s possible.

Our students aren’t just preparing for the future—they’re already building it.