High Tech High International School

Having just completed my bachelors at a UC** I feel that I can fairly evaluate how HTHI contributed to my complete education. First let me start by saying that the entire HTH system is just another private-public capital venture. The classes are all designed with windows on the outside so that students can be observed by constantly touring contributors. POL (presentations of learning) are claimed to help students with public speaking skills, but in reality this is just another method used by the school to attract more investors. My biggest complaint was that the school attracts students with the promise of project based learning. They offer great project based courses for freshman and sophomores but by the last two years projects are almost non-existent. By this time it is impossible to transfer out of the school because their credit system. Also their high college acceptance rates are due to the fact that they make the entire senior class apply for community college. Finally, let me say that the school did not prepare me for college at all. It took me two years to adjust, as I went from Cs and Bs to straight As by my 3rd and 4th year. (My math suffered horribly from HTHI)

I am a recent graduate of High Tech High International and have now transitioned to competitive, private university in Boston. HTHI provided me with the best high school education I could have ever asked for. I was hesitant to attend HTHI as I wanted the "traditional high school experience." Yet, choosing HTHI was one of the best decisions of my life. The curriculum is practical and applicable in the real world. I find myself excelling above many of my college friends (who went to highly ranked private, AP, and IB high schools) in communication skills, online research, and critical thinking. Contrary to other opinions, AP is not necessary to succeed in college, and I feel just as prepared as my friends who took upwards of 10 AP classes. However, what truly makes HTHI an amazing place is the faculty. The passion they have for their students and for teaching is inexpressible. While many of them are younger than the "traditional" teacher, they are innovative and creative, and always ask for student feedback. They do not let students fall through the cracks. No school is perfect, but HTHI prepares kids for more than standardized tests, it prepares them to succeed in college and beyond.

I'm interested in a review from any HTHI alumni that have transitioned to a university for at least the first two year. a review from their perspective would really determine the merit of HTHI's curriculum. Current reviews are mixed from good school to a not so good school. Since I have an potential in-coming Freshmen to HTHI, I would like to know if its the right school for him, as compared to Cathedral, La Jolla CD, Bishop or Francis Parker.
--Submitted by a parent

This is great for a student's personal development and self-esteem or if the student aspires to take liberal arts degree but not for science-related couses. The schoool is great with low student-teacher ratio and personalization. However, it does not prepare students for a good quality university education. Students get high grades with little effort. No books are used in the class and the teachers are not very experienced. If you want your student to get good SAT scores, it is mandatory to supplement her high school education with an SAT prep class. My child was accepted in a great top-ranked school in California, but now she is struggling due to her insufficient high school education preparatory for a quality university. HTHI does not even have AP classes. My student feels so inadequately-prepared compared to her peers in the current university she is attending now.
--Submitted by a parent

Very good teaching but very limited things to do like football. If you want your child to learn I say go for it but if your child is the type for sports I prefer for you to go to a normal public school.
--Submitted by a student

I am a parent of a sophmore attending HTHI. I am also giving this school a mixed review. my son has never been happier, he loves school although he has never been adverse to school. he never has homework his grades have not been great since attending hthi and so i am not blaming the school, however some policies this school has leaves me wondering. example: language taken every other semester (huh) he will never learn manderin having a semester between languages, what a waste of time. no books...he is not a great note taker and neither was i but i got through university with my books. teacher follow through, update assignments online or their calendar for parents to monitor homework that have children like mine. also student confrences, waste of time. i come to see staff so we can formulate plan. staff not interested horse to water and all that.
--Submitted by a parent

HTHI is an interesting school and I have a mixed review on it. To its credit the school remains small in order to be the most effective in helping students learn. Most of the 'teaching teams' know their students well and work to improve their skills. There are some outstanding teachers here; unfortunately staff turnover is high. Be aware that when your child attends a 'project based learning' school, you sacrifice many basics that are taught in general ed schools. The staff here is very young, as is the principal who leads them. There is a lot to be said for age and experience and that is clearly missing. I disagree that the leadership here is strong. I feel especially disheartened when I see the rave student reviews replete with spelling errors and poor punctuation.
--Submitted by a parent

I am a student at high tech high. In august i will be a senior. Ive been at this school for 2 years so far and i love it. Its the best school. My grades have gone from D's and F's to stright A's. I went from hating school to loving it! I wish i came here since middle school. I love it and would reccoment it to anyone. When i have kids i want them to attend this achool. There is also amazing immersion trips that lets you travel around the world. Ive been to Australia and Japan. This year i will be going to India or Iran. They let you choose from about 10 different countries and the trips are cheap and a great experiance.
--Submitted by a student

i am a studet here at HTHI but sometimes i feel that we dont get enough homework, but other than that i am really happy at the school and how we are able to connect to the real world.
--Submitted by a student

High Tech High International is a school that has great leadership. Teachers, Dean of Students and the Principal have a close relationship with student and their needs. This is my daughter's 4th year at HTHI and will be graduating on June 2007. Her academic skills are high.We are very proud of the way she has been taught. She will be applying IVY league Universities and we know she has obtain the knowlage to get accepted. Proud Parents of HTHI.
--Submitted by a parent