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Holberton School – a project-based alternative to college for software engineers

100 points| vinch | 10 years ago |holbertonschool.com

25 comments

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[+] wasd|10 years ago|reply
Just a heads up to any holberton school developers, the site is throwing 502s on every page.
[+] julien421|10 years ago|reply
Thanks wasd, servers are overloaded, we were not expected so much traffic. We are scaling now.
[+] cryoshon|10 years ago|reply
Do you plan to allow students to attend remotely, or not? What is the grading system like, if your school isn't accredited?

How do you plan on making your students well rounded in the way that traditional colleges are supposed to?

[+] sylvainkalache|10 years ago|reply
Re remote: We don't plan to allow students remote for now. If you look at the online program, they have massive drop out. The human factor is very important, and having a “physical” school will provide the kind of social environment that is conductive to sustained engagement and learning. It’s easier to motivate yourself and focus if all your friends are doing the same thing at the same time. Struggle on the same pbs and help each other.

Re grade: It's project base, for each project we have a mandatory core to build, and a lot of options for those who would be faster than others. For each project you will get a % completion, from 0 to 200% (with all options).

At the end you will get a certificate (paper and digital). The digital certificate will be issued in a secure environment (256 bits encryption and 2FA) and inserted into a public blockchain (the technology behind bitcoin) so that any employer can instantly verify the validity of the certificate.

Re well rounded: on top of our curriculum focused on technical skills, we insist a lot on soft skills. Students will also interact with the local community (local startups, mentors, etc...). We also have mentors who will come monthly asking questions like "Does computer science make us better human beings" :)

[+] ckluis|10 years ago|reply
I got my MBA/MSE at night while holding down a job. I'd kill for a skills/project based version of tech school which would let me do the same. I don't care about the degree/certification so much as the knowledge. For me the structure of a formal program would be better than many of the current online programs. Awesome concept.
[+] rudyrigot|10 years ago|reply
Thanks a lot ckluis! From what we've seen so many times of the gap between what recruiters expect from a job applicant, and what graduates can show off after a regular school, we 100% agree with your insight. :)
[+] eimai134|10 years ago|reply
Great that there is no discrimination of any kind. Some of the smartest kids I know didn't do well in high school: "Holberton School is open to anyone who is between the ages of 18 and 128, whether or not they have obtained a graduate degree from high school. No programming experience is required. Our selection process is based only on talent and motivation, with no consideration given to gender, nationality, ethnicity or social status."
[+] throwaway789078|10 years ago|reply
Getting 502.

"Holberton School offers a truly innovative approach to education: focus on building reliable applications and scalable systems" -- hum.

[+] julien421|10 years ago|reply
wow... too much traffic... sry guys. We are scaling the servers right now!
[+] arenaninja|10 years ago|reply
I saw a few pages but now I'm also getting 502s. I'm curious about their 'Full Stack' claim, since they don't appear to define 'Full Stack' (which they should), and they don't pick a stack (assuming this is for web dev full stack? Even that was vague)
[+] rudyrigot|10 years ago|reply
We think Full Stack not in the web stack. But more of "every layer of a system" - from the servers, infra, to the front end of an app.
[+] julien421|10 years ago|reply
Hello everyone! I am one of the three co-founders, please LMK if you have any question!
[+] jtr1|10 years ago|reply
Hi Julien - would you mind talking a little about what you see as the value difference to a student completing your two year program vs completing a bootcamp program and say, jumping into an apprenticeship or learning on the job somewhere?
[+] loukan42|10 years ago|reply
Congratulation guys ! You rocks !
[+] vtllr_|10 years ago|reply
I know these guys: they are awesome! Unfortunately ... I am already a techie :(