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High Tech High's College Partnership Network Sets New Standards for Student Success in San Diego

Innovative charter school system leverages strategic university partnerships to achieve remarkable 90.75% four-year college acceptance rate

SAN DIEGO — High Tech High's groundbreaking approach to college preparation is reshaping educational outcomes across San Diego County, with the charter school network's innovative dual enrollment partnerships delivering unprecedented results for students from diverse backgrounds.

The network's Class of 2024 achieved a remarkable milestone, with 90.75% of the 676 graduating students from six high schools securing acceptance into four-year universities. Perhaps more significantly, nearly 83% of Black/LatinX male students achieved this milestone, showcasing the system's commitment to equity and inclusivity.

Strategic University Partnerships Drive Success

At the heart of High Tech High's success lies its robust college partnership network. Through partnerships with the University of San Diego, Palomar College, the San Diego Community College District, and Southwestern College, two-thirds of High Tech High graduates gain firsthand experience in college-level coursework before graduation.

The dual enrollment program offers students transformative opportunities that extend far beyond traditional high school curricula. Students can access humanities options including Psychology, Speech Communication, Foreign Languages, and Political Science, while STEM offerings include advanced courses like Engineering, Chemistry, Calculus, and Theory of Discrete Mathematics.

"This program delivers three key benefits," according to High Tech High's college counseling team. Students develop critical college success skills including time management, independent learning, and academic resilience, while simultaneously earning credits that count toward their college degree, reducing future tuition costs and potentially shortening the time needed to graduate.

Data-Driven Results Speak Volumes

The network's commitment to rigorous, data-driven approaches has yielded impressive outcomes. 95% of seniors meet the demanding "A-G requirements," indicating readiness for college-level coursework, while 82% of 2022 graduates transitioned to college, tied for the highest among all districts in San Diego County.

The financial impact is equally significant. High Tech High International, one of the network's flagship schools, has achieved remarkable success in making college affordable for its students. Approximately half of HTHI's graduating class faces loan amounts under $5,000, figures that underscore the school's dedication to guiding students and families through the often complex world of financial aid.

Student Success Stories Highlight Impact

The program's real-world impact is best illustrated through individual student achievements. High Tech High International alumna Alondra Rivera Vergara, a first-generation college student who initially believed higher education was out of reach, is now a sophomore at Boston University where she received an $80,000 annual scholarship for tuition and housing.

Vergara received acceptance letters from 17 American universities and credits her achievements to the support she received from HTHI college counselors, who helped her see that college really could be within reach.

Another success story features Harvard-bound Lucia Lopez, who was part of the impressive Class of 2024, demonstrating the network's ability to prepare students for the nation's most competitive institutions.

Comprehensive Support System

High Tech High's success stems from its comprehensive college and career access team approach, implemented across all schools starting in 2018. Every HTH high school has a college and career access team, a committee that helps students finish milestones for college acceptance.

The support extends to financial literacy and aid navigation. About 93% of graduating seniors completed the FAFSA application, helping ensure students have financial assistance in meeting their college goals.

Expanding Influence Through CARPE Network

High Tech High's impact extends beyond its own campuses through its leadership in college access initiatives. The school network participated in the CARPE College Access Network, a grant-funded initiative spanning five years that actively supported 30 schools across Southern California, encompassing regions from Los Angeles and San Diego to as far east as Calexico.

The program's mission focused on assisting school teams in leveraging continuous improvement techniques to level the playing field in college access, with the goal of increasing the number of students furthest from opportunity who apply to and enroll in colleges where they are most likely to graduate.

Recognition and National Context

High Tech High's achievements come at a crucial time for education. The network is recognized among San Diego's top schools for college admissions and emphasizes innovative project-based learning. Additionally, two campuses were named California Distinguished Schools: High Tech Middle North County, and Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High.

The network's approach aligns with broader trends in dual enrollment education. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, about 30% of California's high school graduating class of 2024 took at least one dual enrollment course, with the number of students in these courses tripling between spring 2015 and spring 2024.

Looking Forward

As High Tech High continues to refine its model, the network's success offers a blueprint for other educational institutions seeking to improve college outcomes. Under the leadership of Interim CEO Dr. Diana Cornejo-Sanchez, the organization remains committed to its core mission of connecting the classroom to the world through authentic, project-based learning experiences.

The High Tech High model demonstrates that strategic university partnerships, combined with comprehensive student support systems, can dramatically improve college access and success rates, particularly for underrepresented students. As the network continues to expand its influence throughout California and beyond, its innovative approach to college preparation may well represent the future of secondary education in America.

High Tech High operates 16 schools across San Diego County, serving students from elementary through high school levels. The network's 2025-26 application is currently live for families interested in the lottery-based admission process.

Sources

  1. Cornejo-Sanchez, Diana. "Celebrating a Remarkable Year and the Class of 2024!" High Tech High, June 12, 2024. https://www.hightechhigh.org/celebrating-a-remarkable-year-and-the-class-of-2024/

  2. "HTH's Outstanding Record in College Admissions." High Tech High, October 19, 2023. https://www.hightechhigh.org/hths-outstanding-record-in-college-admissions/

  3. "High Tech High College & Career Counseling - College Courses." High Tech High College & Career Counseling, March 14, 2025. https://college.hightechhigh.org/college-courses

  4. "High Tech High charter schools." Wikipedia, May 19, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Tech_High_charter_schools

  5. "High Tech High School in San Diego, CA - US News Best High Schools." U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/districts/high-tech-high-district/high-tech-high-school-3217

  6. "High Tech High International in San Diego, CA - US News Best High Schools." U.S. News & World Report. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools/california/districts/high-tech-high-international-district/high-tech-high-international-3221

  7. Smith, Carolyn. "More high schoolers are taking college classes — but no surprise which students benefit most." CalMatters, April 16, 2025. https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/04/california-dual-enrollment-community-college-growth/

  8. "Connect the Classroom to the World." High Tech High, October 2, 2024. https://www.hightechhigh.org/

  9. "Get to Know the High Tech High Graduate School of Education." High Tech High Graduate School of Education, March 14, 2025. https://hthgse.edu/

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