About Freestyle Academy of Communication Arts and Technology

At Freestyle Academy of Communication Arts and Technology in the Mt. View-Los Altos UHSD, we believe passion drives success. We also believe 21st Century communication skills with and without technology are necessary for success in any workplace, organization or institution. We believe that school should be a fun and rewarding place to learn these skills. In essence, Freestyle Academy provides students a unique, relevant and challenging, but fun opportunity to find or enhance an artistic/technical passion and develop their communication skills that are applicable to most any field of study or work.

Since 2006 when Freestyle opened its doors, we have challenged students to be creative and imaginative with communicating their ideas by producing art for larger project-based units through various multimedia visual and audio formats with modern software and hardware tools. Each student takes 3 classes at Freestyle Academy that contributes to the final productions for each quarter-based project. In this 2-year program limited to 80 Juniors and 80 Seniors, each student enrolls in 2 required core classes English and Digital Media (max number of students 20 per class) and then chooses a production focus either Film or Design or Animation (max number of students 13-16 per class). Students take other classes and complete other graduation requirements (Math, Social Studies, Civics, Economics, etc.) at Los Altos HS, Mt. View HS or Alta Vista HS for the remainder of each day.

Because “story is king”, all project ideas begin in our 1st required core class of English through readings, discussions, critiques, brainstorming sessions, writings and peer editing. In our 2nd required core class, Digital Media students develop their creative expression by learning tech skills to communicate with websites, photographic art, illustrated art, desktop publishing, podcasts, photo galleries, animations, video productions, audio productions, and original music productions with live and MIDI instruments using Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, WordPress, Pro Tools, Reason, and Ableton Live. All students have access to our modern and fully equipped studio for filming, animating, photo shoots and audio recordings.

For their 3rd class:

• Film students develop their creative expression further by producing 2-10+ minute documentary, narrative, and experimental videos with various film cameras/equipment together with Premiere Pro, Audition, Media Encoder, After Effects, and StudioBinder (film production management software).
• Design students develop the project ideas through visual art such as photography, illustrations, diptychs, triptychs, drawings, magazines, and books with the use of DSLR cameras, lighting kits, electronic drawing tablets, Lightroom, Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Animation students develop their creative expression further by producing short 2D and 3D animations with DSLR cameras, lighting kits, electronic drawing tablets, traditional hand drawing/animating materials together with digital software application such as Maya, Animate, After Effects, Audition, DragonFrame, ZBrush, and Media Encoder.

The Freestyle Academy campus opened in May 2023. Here's a gallery and time-lapse video of the demolition of the old campus and construction of the current campus.

How Will Freestyle Academy Help You?

Otis College Creative Economy Dashboard

At Freestyle Academy, you will not only strengthen the necessary writing, speaking, and research skills you will need in college and in the workforce, but you will also learn critical communication skills that will help you express your ideas in creative, exciting and original ways such as but not limited to:

• conceptual art and photography
• photography with DLSR manual settings
• experimental films, music and photo/video poems
• original and adapted short stories and screenplays
• narrative and documentary films
• storyboards
• animatics
• traditional analog hand-drawn animations, stop motion animations
• short 2D and 3D digital animations
• video commercials
• video trailers
• website development using WordPress, CSS, HTML, and javascript
• illustrated art
• publications such as posters, brochures, magazine articles, books, advertisements
• critiques and presentations
• surreal image compositions
• digital design converted to physical art
• original music compositions
• portraiture photography and illustrations
• self-designed projects
• personal stationery
• portfolio showcase with community professionals

Freestyle Alumni Info

Where did Freestyle Academy Alumni choose to go?

• Academy of Art SF (5)
• American University (2)
• American University of Paris (1)
• Arizona State University (3)
• ArtCenter College of Art and Design (1)
• Arts University Bournemouth in UK (1)
• Atelier de Sevre (1)
• Bentley University (1)
• Berklee College of Music (1)
• Biola University (2)
• Boise State University (1)
• Boston University (5)
• Brigham Young University (13)
• Brigham Young University-Idaho (1)
• Brooklyn College of CUNY (1)
• Bryn Mawr College (1)
• Buttery Vibes (1)
• Cabrillo College (3)
• Cal Poly Pomona (8)
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (33)
• California College of the Arts (7)
• California Institute of the Arts (4)
• California Lutheran University (1)
• California State Univeristy Chico (11)
• California State University Channel Islands (1)
• California State University Chico (2)
• California State University Fullerton (3)
• California State University Long Beach (8)
• California State University Monterey Bay (2)
• California State University Northridge (5)
• California State University Sacramento (2)
• California State University San Francisco (1)
• Carnegie Mellon University (4)
• Carroll College (1)
• Chapman University (25)
• Cogswell Polytechnical College (5)
• Colby College (1)
• College of Wooster (1)
• Columbia College Chicago (2)
• Columbia University (1)
• Cornell University (2)
• Cornish College of the Arts (2)
• Dartmouth College (1)
• De Anza College (23)
• DePaul University (9)
• Digipen Institute of Technology (2)
• Drexel University (3)
• East West College of the Healing Arts (1)
• Eckerd College (1)
• Elvebakken VGS, Norway (1)
• Emerson College (12)
• Emily Carr University of Art and Design (2)
• Evergreen State University (2)
• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (1)
• Foothill College (87)
• Fordham University (1)
• Gap Year (12)
• Gavilan College (1)
• George Washington University (1)
• Georgia Institute of Technology (1)
• Glendale Community College (1)
• Gonzaga University (1)
• Grand Canyon University (1)
• Harvard University (1)
• Hawaii Pacific University (1)
• Hendrix College (1)
• Hofstra University (1)
• Humbodlt State University (3)
• Idaho State University (1)
• Independent-Mac House-Think Out Loud (1)
• Indiana University (2)
• info not provided (144)
• ISI Kyoto (1)
• Japanese Language School (1)
• Johns Hopkins University (1)
• Knox College (3)
• Laguna College of Art and Design (4)
• Leeds Arts University (1)
• Lehigh University (2)
• Lewis and Clark College (5)
• Linfield University (1)
• Los Angeles City College (1)
• Loyola Marymount University (25)
• Makati Medical Center College of Nursing, Philippines (1)
• Manila Tytana Philippines (1)
• Marine Corps (1)
• Maryland Institute College of Art (5)
• McDaniel College (1)
• Menlo College (1)
• Merced College (1)
• Miami University of Ohio (1)
• Mills College (1)
• Mission College (3)
• Montana State University (2)
• Mount Holyoke College (1)
• New Mexico State (1)
• New York University (13)
• Northeastern University (11)
• Northeastern University London (1)
• Northland Pioneer College (1)
• Northwestern University (4)
• Ohlone College (1)
• Orange Coast College (1)
• Oregon State University (2)
• Otis College of Art and Design (2)
• Pace University New York (1)
• Pitzer College (2)
• Portland State University (3)
• Pratt Institute (4)
• Purdue University (3)
• Quanta Therapies (1)
• Reality Tunnel and Chibi Club (1)
• Reed College (1)
• Regent University (1)
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1)
• Rhode Island School of Design (3)
• Ringling College of Art and Design (3)
• Rochester Institute of Technology (2)
• Saint Mary's College (1)
• San Diego State University (7)
• San Francisco Art Institute (1)
• San Francisco State University (18)
• San Jose City College (1)
• San Jose State University (30)
• Santa Barbara City College (5)
• Santa Clara University (4)
• Santa Fe University of Art and Design (2)
• Savannah College of Art and Design (1)
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (4)
• School of Visual Arts (1)
• Seattle University (3)
• Sierra College (1)
• Simon Fraser University (1)
• Singapore Military (1)
• Skate[Slate] (1)
• Smith College (1)
• Soka University of America (1)
• Sonoma State University (3)
• Southern Methodist University (3)
• Southern Oregon University (1)
• St. Cloud State University (1)
• St. John's University (1)
• St. Olaf College (1)
• Stanford University (3)
• Syracuse University (2)
• Temple University (2)
• Temple University Tokyo, Japan (2)
• Texas Tech University (1)
• The New School: Parsons (8)
• The New School: Parsons: Eugen Lang Liberal Arts (1)
• Tulane University (3)
• Undecided (2)
• Université Laval (1)
• University (1)
• University of Alabama (2)
• University of Arizona (7)
• University of British Columbia (5)
• University of California Berkeley (7)
• University of California Davis (15)
• University of California Irvine (5)
• University of California Los Angeles (17)
• University of California Merced (2)
• University of California Riverside (2)
• University of California San Diego (8)
• University of California Santa Barbara (11)
• University of California Santa Cruz (23)
• University of Colorado Boulder (14)
• University of Colorado Denver (1)
• University of Denver (2)
• University of Edinburgh (3)
• University of Greenwich (1)
• University of Hawaii Manoa (1)
• University of Idaho (2)
• University of Illinois (1)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2)
• University of Michigan (6)
• University of Mississippi (1)
• University of Missouri (1)
• University of Nevada Las Vegas (1)
• University of Nevada Reno (1)
• University of North Florida (2)
• University of Oregon (26)
• University of Pennsylvania (1)
• University of Puget Sound (3)
• University of Redlands (5)
• University of Rochester (2)
• University of San Francisco (2)
• University of Southern California (21)
• University of Technology Sydney (1)
• University of Texas (3)
• University of the Pacific (2)
• University of Vermont (1)
• University of Victoria (1)
• University of Washington (9)
• University of Wisconsin (2)
• Utah State University (1)
• Vanderbilt University (1)
• Vanguard University of Southern California (1)
• Washington University (1)
• Wesleyan University (2)
• West Valley College (5)
• West Virginia University (1)
• Western Washington University (2)
• Wheaton College (2)
• Willamette University (4)
• Work (1)
• Yale University (1)

Video Testimonials

Since 2009, Freestyle students have received
$8,340,338in college scholarships!!

Scholarship Amount per Year
(No data prior to 2009)

What do Freestyle Grads study in college?

• 3D Animation (3)
• 3D Modeling (3)
• Acting (4)
• Advertising (3)
• Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Studies (3)
• Animation (37)
• Anthropology (2)
• Apparel Merchandising (1)
• Applied Mathematics (1)
• Architecture (8)
• Art (25)
• Art Direction (1)
• Art History (5)
• Art Histoy (1)
• Art Management (1)
• Art, Animation, (1)
• Art, Technology, and the Business of Innovation (1)
• Arts (2)
• Arts and Entertainment Technologies (1)
• Astronomy (1)
• Athletic Injury Care (1)
• Audio Engineering (2)
• Behavioral Economics (1)
• Bio Chemical Engineering (1)
• Bio Systems Engineering (1)
• Biochemistry (1)
• Biological Science (1)
• Biology (12)
• Biomedical Technology (1)
• Biotechnology (2)
• Botany (1)
• Brain and Cognitive Sciences (1)
• Broadcast (2)
• Broadcast Journalism (1)
• Buisness of Creative Enterprises (1)
• Business (31)
• Business Administration (12)
• Business Management (4)
• Business Marketing (1)
• Car Mechanics (1)
• Cell Biology (1)
• Cell and Molecular Biology (1)
• Character Animation (1)
• Chemistry (2)
• Child Development (1)
• Child, Youth, and Family Studies (1)
• Cinema Studies (6)
• Cinema and Television Arts (1)
• Cinematic Arts (1)
• Cinematography (3)
• Civic and Environmental Engineering (1)
• Civil Engineering (2)
• Cognitive Science (3)
• Combat Camera (1)
• Comic and Concept Art (1)
• Communication Arts (1)
• Communication Design (4)
• Communication and Media (1)
• Communications (20)
• Computer Animation (1)
• Computer Engineering (2)
• Computer Game Science (1)
• Computer Science (39)
• Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (1)
• Concept Artistry (1)
• Construction Management (1)
• Costume and Fashion Design (1)
• Craniosacral Therapy (1)
• Creative Production (1)
• Creative Writing (3)
• Criminal Justice (1)
• Criminology (2)
• Critical Studies (2)
• Culinary (1)
• Dance (1)
• Data Science (1)
• Dentistry (1)
• Design (20)
• Design Media Arts (12)
• Design Studies (1)
• Digital Arts (7)
• Digital Audio Technology (1)
• Digital Communication Arts (1)
• Digital Culture (1)
• Digital Marketing (1)
• Digital Media (5)
• Digital Media Studies and Communication (1)
• Drama (1)
• Dramatic Writing (1)
• Early Childhood Development (1)
• Early Childhood Education (1)
• Ecology (1)
• Economics (14)
• Education (3)
• Electrical Engineering (6)
• Electrician (1)
• Electronic Arts (1)
• Electronic Communication Arts (1)
• Elementary Education (1)
• Engineering (6)
• English (13)
• English Literature (2)
• Entertainment Design (1)
• Entertainment x Blockchain Company (1)
• Entrepenuership (1)
• Entrepreneurial Business (1)
• Entrepreneurship (2)
• Environmental Management and Protection (1)
• Environmental Science (1)
• Environmental Sciences (1)
• Environmental Studies (1)
• Environmental Toxicology (1)
• Experimental Animation (1)
• Fashion Design (8)
• Film (25)
• Film Media (1)
• Film Photography (1)
• Film Production (52)
• Film Studies (3)
• Film and Television Production (21)
• Film, Television, and Radio (1)
• Finance (2)
• Fine Art (1)
• Fine Art and Media (1)
• Fine Arts (3)
• Fine Arts and Humanities (1)
• Fire Science (1)
• Fire Science and Rescue (1)
• Foreign Languages (1)
• Foreign Policy (1)
• Game Animation (2)
• Game Art (2)
• Game Art and Design (1)
• Game Design (9)
• Gap Year (2)
• General Studies (1)
• Geography (1)
• Global Affairs, Conflict Resolution (1)
• Global Communications (1)
• Global Studies (1)
• Government (1)
• Graphic (2)
• Graphic Communications (7)
• Graphic Design (64)
• Graphic Designer (1)
• Heath and Human Sciences (1)
• History (3)
• Illustration (9)
• Immersive Media (1)
• Individualized Study (1)
• Industrial Design (12)
• Industrial Engineering (1)
• Information Systems (1)
• Integrated Design (1)
• Integrated Digital Media (1)
• Interaction Design (1)
• Interactive Design (1)
• Interactive Media (1)
• Interactive Media Studies (2)
• Interior Design (4)
• International Business (2)
• International Development (1)
• International Relations (4)
• International Studies (1)
• Islamic History (1)
• Japanese (1)
• Journalism (8)
• Kinesiology (5)
• Landscape Architecture (1)
• Law Enforcement (2)
• Liberal Arts (1)
• Linguistics (1)
• Literary Journalism (1)
• Literature (2)
• Management (2)
• Management of Information Systems (1)
• Marine Biology (3)
• Marketing (13)
• Marketing Communications (3)
• Math (1)
• Mathematics (1)
• Mechanical Engineering (7)
• Media (1)
• Media Arts (1)
• Media Arts Production (1)
• Media Design (1)
• Media Management (1)
• Media Marketing (1)
• Media Studies (6)
• Media, Culture, and Communication (1)
• Media, Culture, and Communications (1)
• Medicine (1)
• Merchandise Product Development (1)
• Molecular Biology (1)
• Motorsports (1)
• Multimedia Arts (3)
• Multimedia Communications (1)
• Music (6)
• Music Business (1)
• Music Composition (4)
• Music Composition and Performance (1)
• Music Composition and Technology (1)
• Music Industry Studies (1)
• Music Performance (1)
• Music Production (4)
• Music Recording (1)
• Music Technology (4)
• Music Vocal Performance (2)
• Musical Composition (1)
• Neuro-marketing (1)
• Neuroscience (3)
• New Media and Visual Design (1)
• Nursing (10)
• Nutrition (1)
• Oboe Performance (1)
• Paramedic (1)
• Peace Studies (1)
• Pharmacology (2)
• Philosophy (5)
• Photography (9)
• Physical Therapy (1)
• Physics (5)
• Political Science (7)
• Pre Med (1)
• Pre-Biology (1)
• Pre-Med (2)
• Product Design (2)
• Psychology (30)
• Public Relations and Advertising (1)
• Pyschology (1)
• Radio, Television, and Film (1)
• Real Estate (1)
• Recording Arts (3)
• Recording Technologies (1)
• Retail (1)
• Rhetoric and Media Studies (1)
• Rhetorical Studies (1)
• Science, Technology, and Society (1)
• Scientific Illustration and Paleo Artist (1)
• Screenwriting (2)
• Singapore Military (1)
• Singing (1)
• Social Media Management Business (1)
• Social Media Manager (2)
• Social Sciences (1)
• Social Work (1)
• Sociology (5)
• Spanish (1)
• Spanish and French Immersion Education (1)
• Special Education (1)
• Speculative Design (1)
• Sports Business (1)
• Sports Medicine (1)
• Stage Management (1)
• Start-up Production Company (1)
• Statistics (1)
• Strategic Communication (1)
• Strategic Communications (1)
• Studio Art (7)
• Symbolic Systems (1)
• Technical Theater (1)
• Technology (2)
• Technology, Arts, and Media (2)
• Television Production (2)
• Television Writing and Production (1)
• Theatre (4)
• Undecided (12)
• Undeclared (1)
• Urban Planning (1)
• Urban Technology (1)
• Visual Arts (2)
• Visual Arts Media (1)
• Visual Communications (5)
• Visual Effects (3)
• Web Design (3)
• Wine and Viticulture (1)
• Women's Studies (1)
• World Arts and Cultures (2)
• World Religions (1)
• Writing (2)
• Zoology (1)
• info not provided (201)

Number of Graduates