High Tech High (HTH) is a network of public primary and secondary schools whose pedagogy is based on learning through scientific and artistic projects. The model was developed in the 1990s by a team of civil society and industry leaders. The first HTH school opened in 2000 in San Diego, thanks to various public administration and industry sponsors. Today, HTH has 13 schools and 5,300 students.
The learning process is based on a constructivist approach, which means that knowledge is acquired in a more feasible way through the management of projects that are adapted to real-life problems. Therefore, projects must emerge from the students’ concerns, and so teachers only guide and orient the process towards their realization.
HTH has 4 articulating principles: (i) equity: teachers pay special attention to reducing gaps among students; (ii) customization: teachers try to develop a discourse adapted to their audience; (iii) authentic work: Through the projects, students relate the knowledge acquired in classes with the resolution of concrete problems; (iv) collaborative work: teachers participate in curriculum development and engage with outside actors to adapt courses to real life.
The principles mentioned above are implemented at different levels of education, from primary to secondary level. Each school has its own specifics to the extent that it can decide to focus “on this or that” aspect. For example, High Tech High Middle Media Arts focuses on the visual arts while High Tech Middle North County opts for the humanities and mathematical sciences.
HTH also includes a training program for teachers so that they can continue to develop professionally in the field of education. The innovative character of HTH is also based on an online platform, which links industry professionals with school graduates who are looking for a job.
