High Tech High North County School

I attended HTHNC for about a year and a half and the one point I would like to make the most clear is that this school advertises a VERY different image than what it is. I came to high tech out of a private school, craving more individuality. After months of researching, I decided high tech high was the place to be. Oh how I was wrong. When I got there I was extremely happy because all the work was such a breeze and the teaching of math was non existant. I was just happy to have less work, but when i left High tech I regreted it. THIS SCHOOL CUTS CORNERS. The caliber of there programs is about the intensity of a middle school course, and the students here are so caught up in the alternitive learning process that the majority of the important information is lost because teacher put more emphasis on building an art piece than learning the happenings of history or the concepts of math. When i started attending a regular public school, I was learning the same things my high tech high friends were at twice the depth in half the time. I truly amazes me as to how this school puts on a show of being a powerhouse of learning when it is so far from it. IT IN NO WAY PREPARES YOU FOR COLLEGE.
—Submitted by a student

I don't even know where to start. Ninth grade teachers were excellent, they did fall short a bit in math instruction, but overall our family was happy with the school year. The tenth grade teacher team that my child is on (except the math teacher) falls short. My child scored high on Star Testing in all areas. It sure doesn't show in the grades at this level. If I had to do it all over again, my son we be at San Marcos High School. Teachers do not put assignments on PowerSchool. Students and parents live with frustration and anxiety because of this.
—Submitted by a parent

HTHNC gets 4 stars for some things/Zero stars for others: This innovative high school scores high marks when it comes to curriculum and student motivation. Our experience here has been top notch with bright, young, energetic teachers, and polite, happy students who are eager to learn. Zero stars for the few teachers who disregard student safety and are too inexperienced to be teaching High School students. Top administration has issues with connecting & relating to students and parents. Hopefully, with some administration changes at the top, HTHNC will become a truly gret school someday!
—Submitted by a parent

The concept and idea of this school are right on. Implementing it seems to be the challenge. There is a great amount of freedom allowed to the children which can be great for an intensly motivated child. If your child has any attention span issues or perhaps isn't overly motivated by education alone, it can be difficult. The core of what they are learning is there. The teachers are intelligent and caring. But considering the great low teacher to student ratio and cap on enrollment, the communication simply isn't there. Unless, again, you have a student who is a great self advocate and able to openly communicate daily with teachers. They use Powerschool which is nice, but the teacher's "DP" or homework guide is NEVER updated and it makes it difficult for parents to aid in the students success. I think HTHNC is still new and working out the kinks, but has the potential for greatness. The other schools have a 90-99% 4 yr college admission rate. HTH North County's percentage shows there is still much work to do. Hopefully sooner rather than later.
—Submitted by a parent

UPDATE TO WARNING - PLEASE READ TO BE MORE FULLY INFORMED. Since I can't remove my post from the site, I want to retract with an update. After talking with the college advisor at HTHNC yesterday the issue regarding the missing 65 units has been resolved. You are very likely to run into this issue if your child transfers away from the HTH system, though, so be prepared. The issue is in how credits are counted. HTH uses the college system whereas most public schools use the secondary school point system. Bottom line, every 3 units of credit earned at HTH is the equivalent of 10 units at the public high school. Whew!!! Vacation is back on ;):) Thank you TA for your help.
—Submitted by a parent

This is the most engaged, inspired, smart, collaborative and kind group of kids I've ever seen. The teachers and administrators are equally passionate and involved. There is nothing else like High Tech High! These students are very fortunate.
—Submitted by a parent

Our daughter started at HTMNC this year, and she loves it. She often comes home from school excited about a new project that she can't wait to work on. She's learning so much without realizing that she's learning. The teachers are very enthusiastic. They expect the students to live up to high standards, and their expectations seem to be met.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is amazing! The problem solving, critical thinking, project based learning, etc. is preparing my child for the world beyond the classroom halls. He is receiving instruction from top notch teachers who know how to think outside the box and out of the traditional bubble standards based testing all while cementing the learning with creative projects for core key concepts. My son loves this school and he is now receiving challenging curriculum, support, and instruction that he was not receiving in traditional public school with 43 students in a class (what a sin!). I just pray my other children are also accepted when it comes time to apply and win the computerized lottery ticket. It's like truly winning the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ultimate golden ticket! Looking forward to 5 years of a top notch education!
—Submitted by a parent

An unbelievable environment for smart kids who are under challenged in traditional high school environments. My son loved his 9th grade year and is really looking forward to 10th grade in the new building. As a single mom I am so grateful to be able to give my son this quality of education in an environment that excites him about learning. He's actually anxious for school to restart :)
—Submitted by a parent

HTHNC is a fantastic environment. We commute everyday from Temecula - it's worth the effort. Our son LOVES school and looks forward to it - that was never the case before. It's a charter school with a lottery selection. If you can get in, it's like getting a golden ticket.
—Submitted by a parent

I have a son who attends HTH. He will be their first graduating class. HTH has meet and exceeded all of our expectations. Their is a sense of community at the school, and that's something rare to find even in other small school settings. The classrm. sizes are small, and the teacher's are passionate. It's an excellent school and we're proud to be part of it.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter just loves this school.We said that we would give it a try for a year to see how we all liked it, &she has never looked back.It's funny that she wanted the whole traditional HS experience, with football games, homecoming, etc.Though at HTH, she has discovered other things that give her and her highschool experience just something a little different, something that seems to work.She is not a misfit, or the brainiac that some people associate with going to HTH.She is cute, social, involved, smart, athletic, friendly, etc.She loves the diversity of people from all over SD to OC.There is so much positive energy @HTH, it's hard not to be excited about the school. It's not a traditional school, and.... maybe times are changing @that is a good thing.I have done lots of research, and we believe this is where in SD she will get the BEST education.
—Submitted by a parent