High school could take high-tech road

By Eric Stevick

Herald Writer

MUKILTEO — Several hurdles stand in the way, specifically money and authority, but the Mukilteo School District superintendent hopes to open a small high-tech high school by the fall of 2003.

The model the Mukilteo district would replicate is an industry-initiated technology-based charter school in San Diego. Superintendent Gary Toothaker visited the campus three times in the past year, most recently in November with a group of teachers.

The San Diego school, which opened in the fall of 2000, emphasizes computers, math, science and engineering. Among other things, students maintain their own Web sites and digital portfolios.

"The beauty is students are able to do their learning by using technology as we would use a pencil and paper," Toothaker said.

Mukilteo High Tech High would peak with an enrollment of 400 by 2005 — 100 per grade level. It would start with about 100 freshmen and sophomores in 2003.

The Mukilteo district would use a rigorous application process and seek a mix of students that is representative of its demographics, Toothaker said. The San Diego school uses a lottery based on the large pool of applicants.

The proposal hinges on a grant application for start-up money and approval from the Mukilteo School Board.

Mukilteo has applied for a Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation grant to cover start-up costs. The Gates Foundation has provided $2 million to the San Diego school and an additional $4.4 million for other high-tech high schools that will follow the model.

Toothaker believes there is interest in the local business community to make High Tech High work in the Mukilteo district. However, he doubts it would have the same level of financial support as the San Diego school, which received $7 million, including $3 million from Gary Jacobs, the son of Qualcomm CEO Irwin Jacobs.

Beyond financial and technical help, Mukilteo’s High Tech High would rely on local industries for internships — a requirement for students in their junior and senior years.

Mukilteo High Tech High would be a stand-alone school rather than a school within an existing high school. Toothaker identified three possible locations: ACES High, an alternative school; two buildings on the Explorer Middle School campus; and Lake Stickney Elementary School, which will be vacant when a new elementary campus opens in the fall of 2003.

"Change is easier for a stand-alone campus," Toothaker said.

Kevin Laverty, the Mukilteo School Board president, visited the San Diego school in October and left with a favorable impression.

"This is exactly what people are going to need in the work force," Laverty said. "As new business is attracted here, you have to talk about a work force …The kids who come from this program are going to be in demand.

"They are really going to be going for an educational experience that will appeal to their interests, and to some extent, their abilities to use technology as the principal tool for their learning experience," Laverty said.

Toothaker acknowledges that a lot of students won’t be interested in High Tech High. Students at the alternative school would have no athletics and few extracurricular activities and would face "a pretty high-intensity work experience."

The expectation is students leaving the school would attend college.

The district will learn by spring if it will be awarded money to start the school.

You can call Herald Writer Eric Stevick at 425-339-3446 or send e-mail to stevick@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.