Below is a collection of links to websites, articles and videos that tell the story of High Tech High. I encourage you to investigate and find out more about what sets the schools apart. Then, if you want to know more, contact HTH and arrange a visit. I have no doubt you’ll be surprised and excited by the learning that takes place and the effect they are having on education not only in San Diego, but around the world. And if you want to enter your name in the lottery for admission for 2010-11, you may do so online on their website. But don’t wait around; the deadline is a very strict February 27, 2010.

• High Tech High
  The organization’s website, including information on admissions and an online application

• The Vision Behind the High Tech Journey
  Three part series by SDNN.com that takes “a look into how one of the most successful U.S. schools began.”

• Transformed by Technology: High Tech High Overview
  Edutopia, produced by the George Lucas Foundation, has a series of videos that highlight High Tech High

• Real World, San Diego: Hands-On Learning at High Tech High
  An article by Edutopia that discusses how students prepare for the real world through technology-enabled projects

• Connectivity at High Tech High
  An online portfolio from the What Kids Can Do website

• San Diego Unified information on High Tech High
  Includes links to California Standards Test (CST) results, School Accountability Report Cards, and more

• High Tech’s Hiring Bonanza
  Describes the somewhat unconventional process by which High Tech High interviews and hires teachers

• The High Tech High Way
  University of San Diego (USD) alumni are helping charter school students thrive under a new educational paradigm

• 8’s Cool School: High Tech High North County
  High Tech High’s innovative project-based learning program helped them become local CBS affiliate KFMB-TV Channel 8’s Cool School of the Week

In the interest of full disclosure, I do want to share that this year is my child’s first year as a student at one of the High Tech High schools. After attending a private school since kindergarten, we decided to try the High Tech lottery for middle school. When we received the letter last spring informing us that our child had secured a spot for the 2009-10 school year, we were thrilled and thought we knew what to expect. I am very happy to report that the school has far exceeded our expectations. Our child is learning, motivated, and happy to go to school each day. The small class and school sizes help teachers and staff maintain a positive, respectful learning environment where children feel safe. Most important for me, our child is academically challenged at just the right level in a way that is interesting and connects learning experiences to the real world.

One of the nicest surprises this year has been that the homework load has not been overwhelming. In addition, as a parent I have not been expected to teach new skills through the homework, which was something that happened regularly at a previous school. When homework is assigned at HTH, it has a purpose and a reason, and it relates directly back to work done in the classroom. Not only am I thrilled with the homework policy as a parent, but also as an educator.

I realize that homework can definitely be a controversial topic for parents, educators and especially children! A book that I enjoyed reading and that helped me clarify my own opinion is The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing by Alfie Kohn. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is struggling over how much homework is enough or too much.