High Tech Middle School

Posted: April 6, 2023

This is a project-based instruction school were kids are able to develop knowledge and learn skills through engaging projects.

Posted: April 6, 2023

Posted: April 6, 2023

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Posted: October 25, 2022

The school is definitely deceiving with its reputation. We had heard good things about the High Tech system however experienced the complete opposite. We chose this school because it was a project based school and thought our child would have a better learning experience. After two years at HTM we do not recall any real projects that were done. The adults at this school would greatly benefit from additional professional development. It's the type of school where teachers allow students to address them by their first name and are social media friends with students. Some teachers are great and connect with the kids, some are not so great. The academics at the school are lacking, supervision is lacking, and student engagement is lacking. There isn't any follow up with teachers or administrators when parent concerns are brought up. There's been huge turnover, in teachers and administrators, at this school that it has significantly affected students.

Posted: October 25, 2022

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Posted: September 15, 2022

We had really high hopes for this school since we heard a lot of positive things about the High Tech High organization. But unfortunately our experience has not been very good. Numerous staff are not very professional and need significant professional development. The school is chaotic and there isn't a lot of oversight of the students. During the first week, my son was slapped by another student out of the blue. My son told on the student, which made him mad, and he continued to verbally harass and taunt my son. The harassment escalated, and teacher intervention has not been effective. The culture of the school didn't do anything to promote peace, harmony, and balance. There was a lot of free time, and during this time kids played violent video games. It was difficult for my son to focus and concentrate on schoolwork due to hearing shooting from the video games being played around him. It was also difficult for him to concentrate when a teacher played music with lyrics with swear words. A lot of the teaching is through media - movies, daily news, and documentaries - rather than didactic teaching or reading. The media they showed was not subtle or academic, for example they showed Black Panther, which is rated PG-13 and recommended for 12+ by Common Sense Media, to 6th graders. I got the impression that movies are used as a tool to manage children, rather than teach them, as it wasn't always accompanied by academic or critical discussion. We support the High Tech High teaching and learning goals, but wish they would do it in a more academic way. Sadly, the experience is indicative of our country's lack of prioritizing education, and do we wish the organization and students all the best.

Posted: September 15, 2022

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Posted: April 18, 2022

If you would like your child to go to a school that does not focus on academics and mainly focuses on indoctrination, this is the perfect school. Your child will learn almost nothing, but will be pushed into thinking a certain political party is good and the other is bad. This is the goal there. You may as well have your child watch CNN all day.

Posted: April 18, 2022

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Posted: April 21, 2014

This school is great - teaching kids to learn skills that will help them to reach for the stars, you can create anything if you put your mind together with others.

Posted: April 20, 2014

Awesome school! Both my kids love it, though they were hesitant at first. Didn't take long before it has become their second home. Small enough that they know everyone and feel safe. Love the team projects, the dress code, the small amount of homework and availability of the teachers and staff for any questions or problems. Also love the diversity and strong teaching.

Posted: April 20, 2014

My son attends High Tech Middle. He loves the fact that is project base which means they work in groups a lot when they are working on a projects. They problem solve in a group and get to combine all that they learned in one project. They have a wonderful group of teachers that have so much passion for their job. Also they offer a great before and after school program that is free o.f charge for all students. This is a great and unique school and I'm honored to have my child go there.

Posted: April 16, 2014

Love the small size, the director knows every kid personally, the teachers are incredibly hardworking, and nice. My child was initially nervous going to a school where he did not know anyone, but its not been an issue at all. He's thriving and proud of his work, can't ask for more than that! Only negative is traffic in/out of Point Loma.

Posted: November 4, 2013

Now that my child has graduated HTM and moved on to a public school, I see a big difference in the education/curriculum. I'm torn because HTM offered some great things as a superb atmosphere, strict rules about bullying, free movement while learning instead of sitting behind a desk in class, and the kids seem very happy. However, the curriculum lacks the ability to prepare the kids for college. There are no English classes therefore the kids writing skills suffer greatly; there is no biology, and no Physical Ed classes. I will say that Judo Math is an excellent program they recently added. All schools should have Judo Math! The projects are somewhat elementary and no college uses project-based learning. While POL's help with public speaking skills, the projects in the POL aren't significant or challenging enough for the kids. The materials for the projects are paper, cardboard, etc, nothing high-tech. While I loved how happy and safe my child was, having no books, no development of writing skills and no AP courses just doesn't adequately prepare kids or college. I wish I could combine this school with another school and create the perfect school. Tough to choose.

Posted: August 1, 2013

High Tech Middle has been a supportive, creative and academically challenging environment. The students are not only taught academics but also life skills to help transition them from a school environment into the real world. The teachers are caring and supportive and the students often stay in touch with them even after they have moved on to college.