Apply To Join The Ford Dream Builders Class Of 2025-26
Each year, hundreds of Bakersfield’s top high school juniors apply to be part of the Ford Dream Builders during their Senior year. The Ford Dream Builders Class of 2025-26 application process will begin in December 2024. Students selected for our Class of 2025-26 will be notified of our final decision in May 2025.
| December 9, 2024 | Ford Dream Builders Information Night Please contact your high school’s Ford Dream Builders point of contact for an invitation to attend Information Night. Attendance is encouraged for for your application to be considered, but not required |
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| December 10, 2024 | Application Becomes Available The program application becomes available online to download and complete. |
| January 10, 2025 | Applications Due All applications must be returned to your high school’s Ford Dream Builders point of contact. |
| February 2025 | First Round Interviews After reviewing all qualified applicants, we conduct first round interviews at each high school. |
| April 2025 | Ice Cream Social Students who progress from our first-round interviews are invited to join us for a Ford Dream Builders tradition, our annual Ice Cream Social. |
| April - May 2025 | Final Interviews If necessary, students will be invited to participate in a final round of interviews. |
| May 2025 | Acceptance Date Students will be notified of their acceptance into the Ford Dream Builders Class of 2026. |
Program Requirements
The Ford Dream Builders is one of Bakersfield’s premier youth leadership development program. The application process is extremely selective, and all program application requirements are strictly enforced.
- 3.8 GPA (weighted) or higher
- Involved in school
- AP and/or Honors Students
- Involvement in extracurricular activities
All applications must be turned into your high school’s point of contact. Only those applications that are highly recommended by their high school’s point of contact will be reviewed by our Selection Committee.
Program Application
Applications for the Ford Dream Builders Class of 2025-26 will be available to download here on December 10, 2024. Applications must be printed and returned to your high school’s point of contact by noon on January 10, 2025.
Fall 2024 Newsletter
Want to learn more about the Jim Burke Education Foundation and Ford Dream Builders program? Download a copy of our Fall 2024 Newsletter for more information on our Class of 2023-24 students, their projects and what our alumni are up to.
High School Contacts
Bakersfield Christian
Rebecca Wilson
Janine Lynch
Bakersfield
Tiffani Alvidrez
Centennial
Jill Geer
Del Oro
Amy Poochigian
Lydia Garza
East Bakersfield
Destinee Desiderio
Foothill
Mary Miller
Frontier
Spencer Lewis
JJ Conley
Garces Memorial
Candis Howlett
Golden Valley
Kirstie Park
Heartland Charter School of Bakersfield
Christie Chambless
Highland
Miguel Ramirez
Independence
Nicole Adame
Alicia Martinez
Liberty
Brooke Slayton
Mira Monte
Salvador Gochez
North
Alicia Vorhees
Ridgeview
Sal Garcia
South
Irene Ramey
Stockdale
Whitney Pearsey
West
Deicy Gonzalez