What Makes High Tech High Unique

About High Tech High:

Developed by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators, High Tech High opened in
September 2000 as a small public charter school with plans to serve approximately 450 students.
HTH has evolved into an integrated network of thirteen charter schools serving approximately 5,300
students in grades K-12 across three campuses. The HTH organization also includes a
comprehensive adult learning environment including a Teacher Credentialing Program and the High
Tech High Graduate School of Education, offering professional development opportunities serving
national and international educators.

Design Principles:

Equity
High Tech High is an equity project. Teachers work to address inequities and help students reach
their full potential. Our schools are intentionally diverse and integrated, enrolling students through a
zip code-based lottery aimed at creating schools that are reflective of the communities we serve.

Personalization
High Tech High teachers practice a learner-centered, inclusive approach that supports and
challenges each student. Students pursue their passions through projects, and reflect on their
learning. Our schools foster relationships of trust, caring, and mutual respect among students and
adults through program design elements such as small school size, small classes, home visits,
advisories, and student collaborative work.

Authentic Work
High Tech High school projects integrate hands and minds and incorporate inquiry across multiple
disciplines, leading to the creation of meaningful and beautiful work. Students engage in work that
matters to them, to their teachers, and to the world outside of school. Students connect their studies
to the world through fieldwork, community service, internships, and consultation with outside experts.
Our facilities are collaborative workplaces with small-group learning and project areas, relevant
technology, and common spaces where artwork, prototypes, and other artifacts of student thinking
are created and displayed.

Collaborative Design
High Tech High teachers collaborate to design curriculum and projects, lead professional
development, and participate in hiring, while seeking student experience and voice in each of these
areas. With students as design partners, staff function as reflective practitioners, conducting inquiry
into equitable teaching and learning, school culture, project design, and authentic assessment. We
are all still learning.

What it means to be a free public charter school

Along with several other charter schools, the School is operated by the Board of Directors of
High Tech High, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation (High Tech High or HTH).
The School is directly funded by the State. The School purchases administrative support from the
central organization division of High Tech High.
Maybe 1-2% of our funding comes from donations. Like most schools, we are paid for students
daily attendance.
Disipline

Lottery Process:
High Tech High schools endeavor to accommodate all students who apply for admission; however,
because applications for admission exceed the number of spaces available, HTH uses a
computerized lottery to determine admission. Spaces are allocated to form a student body that
reflects the demographics of the region in which the school is located.

Sibling Policy
Siblings of students who are currently enrolled are given a preference. The sibling preference is
based on zip code and it is not a guarantee of admission. In addition, sibling applicants are only
given a preference when applying to a school in the same village as their sibling. There is no sibling
preference for two siblings who apply at the same time or from one village to the other.
Our Schools
-Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High
-High Tech High International
-High Tech High Media Arts
-High Tech High North County
-High Tech High Chula Vista
-High Tech Middle
-High Tech Middle Media Arts
-High Tech Middle Chula Vista
-High Tech Middle North County
-Explorer Elementary
-High Tech Elementary Chula Vista
-High Tech Elementary North County
The Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High
Classrooms to Visit
-John Santos Environmental Science
-Brian Delgado Science
-Jeff Robin Fine Arts
-Mike Strong Humanities
Notable Projects
-Wall Murals
Most of the murals on the walls of High Tech High have been there for years. However,
new art is added every year.
-CD Chandelier
This project hangs from the ceiling in the hallway. The hanging piece is made of recycled
CDs.
-Staircases to Nowhere
Our students designed staircases. They created scale models and full size staircases to
nowhere around the school. Using play they will design a 1:10 staircase themselves. With a
partner using trigonometry and CAD they designed and built a 1:5 scale staircase and with a
party of 10 they created life size Staircases to Nowhere at various locations in the school. It is a
conceptual art piece physics and math project.
-Class of 2003 collage
This collage was created by the first class of High Tech High. It is a collage that
represents memories in high school and just who they are.
High Tech High International
Classrooms to Visit
-Dr. Don Engineering
-Colleen Green English
 -Chris Mutter Multimedia
-Will Hasse Calculus
Notable Projects
-City Art
Students picked any city in the world to base their project on. Illustrate traits about that
place using the letters of the city. Some of these location art has been on the walls for many years
and some of it has been re-done recently.
-Spanish Mural
Students researched infamous people in latino culture as well as inspirational people in
latino culture and painted a mural of those people. The mural is called, Los Dos Lados. Which
means both sides.
-High School Memories Collage
This piece of wall art has also been on the cylindrical rooms for many years. It is a art
piece collage of things that represent students high school memories.
-Faces of Literature
This is also a project reflected in wall art form. Students picked an influential person who
has been known for their role in literature, and created a portrait of them by creating a collage of
their face.
-BreakFree
This project has been done within the last few years. And it is a project that has focused
on stereotypes that our society has created about people and breaking free from them. Making
progress in today's society.
High Tech High Media Arts
Classrooms to Visit

Notable Project
-The Wicked Soap Company
Students in the Wicked Soap Company use the engineering design process to make and
then sell amazing soap. Our young stakeholders are responsible for every aspect of the design,
planning, creation, packaging, sales, and proceeds.
-Conformity and Rebellion Project
The focus of this project was the exploration of the themes conformity and rebellion.
Each group of students was tasked with presenting and exploring their sub-theme in both
humanities class and art class.
-Visualizing Public Health
This project allowed students to explore methods of data collection, analysis, and
research into public health at a local and global level.
-Garden to Table Project and Expo
 Senior students unknowingly became urban farmers as they explored firsthand the
challenges and triumphs of growing seasonal, sustainable food in the very public
HTHMA Garden. The food grown, as well as thematic units covered in environmental
science, provided inspiration for the creation of conceptual bites served at our First
Annual Garden to Table Expo. The Expo acted as a platform to share both a meal and our
experiences in the Garden, connecting people to the environment through local, seasonal,
and sustainable food.
High Tech High Chula Vista
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-Tiny Homes
In collaboration with Space4Art, students worked with local artists to design and
build tiny homes that would allow the artists to remain in the expensive San Diego region
and produce their art.
-The Boneyard Project
In The Boneyard Project students learn about anatomy and physiology of small
mammals and humans while considering ethical questions about utilizing animal
products.In The Boneyard Project students explore the various perspectives surrounding
the animal and pet industries.
High Tech High North County
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-The Watershed
This joint project between chemistry and art was designed to introduce students to
the complicated concept of water in the southwest. This allowed students to immediately
make a connection to a watershed, start learning the parts of a watershed, and look at
ways in which humans can impact them.
-In Sickness and in Health
All classes and curriculum centered around the theme of personalized medicine
and personal empowerment in a modern world. Our commitment to real world
application and introduction to experts was a central piece of the project.
-Into the Wild Project
Through this project, students will create various camping gear through their
knowledge of Physics and also devote time to appreciate Mother Nature and civilized
amenities alike through a camping trip. Additionally, students will reflect on mans own
nature through the readings and discussions of various readings.
-Self-Actualization Project
9th grade students had the opportunity to explore themselves through a variety of
artistic exercises. In doing this, students gained a better understanding of who they are as
 individuals. Students then combined all these pieces to create one painting that truly
represents who they are on a deeper level.
High Tech Middle
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-The Ruler Project
The sixth grade students created 12-inch supersized rulers on predetermined
pieces of wood of different lengths to further their understanding of fractions and
decimals. This project taught them about perseverance, accuracy and craftsmanship.
-Body Project
Students built a small wooden body silhouette. They then painted their art pieces
with paint that represented a characteristic trait. The teacher assigned a personality trait
with each paint color and students used that to describe themselves. This project helped
students define who they were.
-Skateboard Project
Students debated local policies and learned all about the history of skateboarding.
They learned the physics of skateboarding and how to make skateboards out of wood.
-Melodic Project
In this project students built large wooden piano keys. They wanted to mimic the
tones and pitches of an actual piano. They learned about different notes, melodies, pitches, and
nodes.
High Tech Middle Media Arts
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-EMA
EMA is a small wooden plaque on which Shinto worshippers write their prayers or
wishes. The students learned about how to translate thoughts and feelings into a physical
representation using basic understanding of the elements of art.
-Project Adaption
Sixth graders explored themes around native plants, biodiversity and change. Their final
project displayed skillfully integrated plants. As well as the students thoughts on adaptation and
themselves.
-Whats in our Water
In this project, students studied the local watersheds of San Diego County to determine
the impact that humans have on our local water resources. They documented human impact on
local water resources through photography and created a photo PSAs.
-Soul Surf
 Students learned about the physics of surfboard design, and created handplanes in the
woodshop, which we then used for bodysurfing. Students also formed an inquiry question,
researched it, and then wrote an article to be published in our Soul Surf magazine.
High Tech High Chula Vista
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-Go Fly a Kite
Through the process of design, building, playing and analyzing kites; students acquire
essential understanding of geometry, force and motion.
-Carnival Lego
During this project, we will combine our understanding of simple machines, motorized
mechanisms, LEGO construction, 3D modeling, and engineering design thinking to create our
very own LEGO Carnival!
-Seedfolks
SEEDFOLKS PROJECT was a collaborative project between the 4th graders and 8th
graders at HTe and HTMCV. Together, the 8th graders and 4th graders planted positive seeds of
school culture, both literally in the garden and figuratively in the hallways of our new shared
school building. We also wrote and shared Where Im From poems as we looked back to
where we came from, while continuing our journey growing, together.
-Newspaper plays: Year in Review
Through Living Newspaper, students will create original poetry, performance pieces,
learn vocal technique, and explore the origins of theatre history through dramaturgical work.
Four classes of theatre will perform as the four seasons of culturally significant news. As a grade
level, rather than reporting the news, students will perform the news of that year. Exhibiting in
December, the 6th grade will present their Year In Review through original script and
performance.
High Tech Middle North County
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-The Human Food Chain
In this project, students will be learning about our food systems from ground to ground.
Students will be exploring how we grow/manufacture our food, package it, ship it, buy it,
consume it, and dispose of it. Students will learn what our bodies need in order to grow and
function and the effects of certain types of food on them. Students will also be tracing back the
political and economic impacts of your food choices.
-Give me Shelter
In this project, we discussed the issue of homelessness and poverty to encourage our
students to develop their sense of empathy and to see the world from different perspectives.
Students took a closer look at the underlying issues of homelessness.
 -In My Life
Every 6th grade student has experienced many significant events so far in their lives. In
this project, 6th graders will decide which of these events were most important in shaping the
person that theyve become today and will get to share them with your classmates and the school
community!
-The Past 100 Years
Sharing a story can help us understand where we have come from and where we are
going. In collaboration with their Math/Science project, The Next 100 Years, students will
conduct interviews that reveal changes in our human experience over the past 100 years. Our
understanding of the past will connect us with our responsibility for the future. Our interviews
will be uploaded to the Library of Congress to become part of the StoryCorps collection.
High Tech Elementary
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-Healthy Me Project
In this project, students explore all about healthy living. First graders become exercise
experts, learning different ways to move their bodies and why exercise is important to stay
healthy. Students also learn about nutrition and apply these ideas to their own lives. They
discover the five food groups and why each is important in a balanced plate.
-Alien Art Pieces
Students explored the element of line, shape, and color through the creation of little
monster aliens. The students were guided to ignite their imaginations, trust their artistic choices
and create a little monster alien.
-Elements of Us
Kids picked a trait that represents them most. And made a periodic element art piece that
represented an element of themselves.
-Life by the Tide
Learning about the greater HTH purpose and how they can make individual
contributions, students are considering they ways they can learn about the broader San Diego
community, with a particular focus on coastal habitats. Through field work, research,
presentations by experts, and modeling, students will curate posters and species cards to enhance
the educational efforts for our local National Park.
High Tech Elementary Explorer
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-Through My Eyes
Third Grade students undertook a year-long study of photography, integrating science,
literacy, writing, social studies, and art. The study culminates in an exhibit for parents, other
students and community members.
 -Self-Portraits
Students learned to draw themselves realistically through multiple drafts and critiques,
pencil and pastels. Students also got to explore with different materials given to them to make
their portrait extra fun!
-Tiny Catapult Painting
Students created small scaled catapults and splattered paint balls onto canvases. This was
the first step to designing medium and large catapults.
-Ocean Explorers
Throughout the project students engaged in work with local marine scientists which
helped them gain insight into what a scientists does to study the ocean and why it is important.
Another component of the project was translating their knowledge about the ocean into art to
share their passion for preserving the ocean.
High Tech Elementary Chula Vista
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-I am San Diego
Through this project, students researched how their families arrived in San Diego and
connect it with the trends that brought different groups to the city. Students explored how
different ethnic communities (Kumeyaay, Spaniards, Mexican Americans, Filipino Americans,
Japanese Americans and African Americans) arrived in San Diego and what forces brought them
here or made them leave.
-Food for Thought
In the Food for Thought project students explored the complexity of our own food
systems. We focused on how different food systems affect humans and the environment.
-Otay River Watershed Project
While hiking in the trails behind our school, and exploring the San Diego River
Watershed over a three day expedition with the San Diego River Foundation, students observed
wildlife and human impacts on natural habitat. To help others build empathy for native wildlife
in our watershed, students fictional stories starring native animals.
High Tech Elementary North County
Classrooms to Visit
Notable Projects
-Critters on Camera
This project will engage students as citizen scientists and introduce them to the unique
diversity of San Diegos native wildlife.Using GPS technology, a citizen science app, and digital
photo libraries, students will be conducting authentic and important research about the health and
diversity of an area in and around Lake Hodges located in Escondido, California.
High Tech High Graduate School of Education
The GSE emerged from, and is fully embedded within, a charter school network of innovative,
project-based schools. Like the thirteen High Tech High K-12 schools that serve as a context for
adult learning, the GSE is committed to providing learning experiences that are personalized,
authentic, and transformative. GSE students create personal learning plans, pursue a
project-based curriculum, explore their own questions through rigorous inquiry, and develop
digital portfolios to demonstrate their learning. They learn by doing and have ample
opportunities to explore the intersection of theory and practice and reflect on their learning. Like
medical students in a teaching hospital, GSE students take courses and conduct research while
engaging daily in the real world of effective, innovative schools.

Rules and Regulations for Ambassadors

-Lead one tour per school rotation
We want at least every ambassador to have a chance to lead a tour every rotation. So, limit
yourself to one tour per rotation to encourage other ambassadors to lead more tours.
-Attend Mandatory Meetings
-Must Shadow before leading tour
Tour Time Constraint:
-A tour must not extend longer than 60 minutes unless said otherwise. We understand
tours can sometimes extend longer than the one hour constraint, but it must be enforced. Practice
excusing yourself from your visitors politely. If for some reason, a tour is excused to be longer
than a hour, make sure your teacher is notified.
Before you leave
-Remember to ask your teachers for permission to leave class before you actually do;
preferably 24 hours before. It is very important that your teacher knows your whereabouts before
you leave.
-If you decide you will not be able to make a tour, make sure you take your name off of
the spreadsheet 24 hours prior. You could also find a reliable replacement, to take the tour for
you.
-Please sign out and sign back in at your front desk. This is one of the newest rules, and it
must be enforced. We want to make sure you are leaving and returning in a responsible manner.
Rules and Regulations for Visitors
-Be respectful of classes that are in session
-Avoid taking pictures/video of students faces
-Do not post pictures of students faces on social media
-Avoid using flash
-No pictures in bathrooms
Tour Tips
-Speak loudly
-Speak clearly
-Answer questions to the best of your ability.
-Its okay to say, I dont know, but I can get back to you.
-Act professionally
-Dress appropriately
-Treat visitors with respect