Founded by a coalition of civic leaders and educators in San Diego, California, High Tech High (HTH) is an innovative public charter school network focused on transforming K-12 education through equity, project-based learning, and authentic student work. What started as one school has now grown into a vibrant charter school network of sixteen schools serving over 6,350 students across four campuses. The organization also has a Teacher Credentialing Program and the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, which serves as a professional development and advanced learning platform for educators across the US and abroad.

The design principles of High Tech High are Equity, Personalization, Authentic Work, and Collaborative Design. By being diverse and integrated, the schools of High Tech High use a lottery system to select students based on their zip code to ensure community representation in the school. By keeping class sizes small, each student is provided a mentor to ensure a positive learning environment and a strong teacher-student relationship. Students can engage in meaningful learning activities collaboratively to produce work that connects to the real world outside the school environment. By focusing on academic rigor, real-world learning, and collaborative teaching, High Tech High continues to innovate and redefine public charter education.

Educator Development and Project-Based Learning at High Tech High

Graduate School of Education

High Tech High Graduate School of Education (HTH GSE) is a place where educators who are dedicated to rethinking teaching and learning come together. It is a hub for a global network of change leaders who are committed to rethinking traditional models of teaching and learning and working towards a more equitable and student-centered approach to teaching and learning.

One of the flagship events of HTH GSE is the Deeper Learning Conference, which is an annual gathering of educators who are committed to the pursuit of equity and the engagement of all students in deeper learning experiences.

HTH offers residencies and institutes that attract thousands of educators from all over the United States and the world each year. These are hands-on workshops that focus on project-based learning and deeper learning strategies.

Furthermore, HTH Unboxed offers learning outside of traditional walls through articles, podcasts, online learning opportunities, and other tools that can assist educators in strengthening project-based learning and equity work in the classroom.

Teacher Center

The High Tech High Teacher Center is completely embedded in a dynamic and rich K-12 school network, which provides a rich learning environment for teacher preparation. The Teacher Center, which works with teachers in its sixteen schools and the wider San Diego County region, is committed to enhancing the quality of public education by preparing a wide range of reflective and diverse teachers with a foundation in High Tech High’s core design principles.

The credentialing program offered by HTH School offers opportunities for teachers and administrators from TK-12 schools within California to gain a Preliminary and Clear California Teaching Credential, as well as administrative services credentials. It emphasizes personalization, equity and inclusion, and the development of a deeper understanding that helps the teacher create a personalized learning environment for his/her students.

The Teacher Center's district intern program emphasizes teaching for equity, making connections between theory and practice, innovative teaching models, and amplifying student voices. It helps teachers become agents of change by integrating collaboration and learning into all aspects of teacher preparation.

PBL at HTH

For educators, families, and educational leaders, there are different opportunities to engage with and experience HTH’s unique Project-Based Learning model. Educators can engage with HTH’s unique educational model by participating in curated visits to HTH’s campuses. By participating in the curated visits, educators can experience a day-long visit to HTH’s campuses, which include an overview of HTH’s educational philosophy, student-led tours and panels, observations of HTH’s classrooms, and interactions with HTH’s educators and educational leaders.

Families who wish to enroll their children can participate in information sessions that can help prospective students and families better understand HTH and its community.

For educators who wish to grow professionally, HTH offers opportunities to participate in the HTH Graduate School of Education, which offers professional development opportunities to build and implement high-quality Project-Based Learning. One can participate in workshops, events, and team learning experiences.

PBL Design Camps provide opportunities to further build and strengthen project design capabilities with the use of culturally responsive and equity-focused practices. The camps, which can be taken online as well as in person, offer opportunities to earn Continuing Education Units, as well as build highly effective and transformative learning experiences.

Diana Cornejo-Sanchez | CEO

Diana Cornejo-Sanchez is an accomplished educational leader committed to equity, teacher development, and project-based learning. A first-generation bilingual college graduate, she began her career as a high school Humanities teacher with San Diego Unified and later became a founding teacher at High Tech High Media Arts, mentoring educators for over a decade. She has led systemic change initiatives with urban school districts and served as a charter school director, guiding the transition to project-based learning. Diana holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, specializing in instructional coaching and teacher retention.

"High Tech High transforms education through equity, project-based learning, and teacher development, preparing students and educators for meaningful, real-world success."