My location of awesome creativeness is at High Tech Middle (HTM).

HTM is the part of the High Tech High Charter School family where teaching is done via Project-Based Learning. Walking the halls at our school is inspiring and energizing because teaching and learning looks very different then other traditional schools. Demographics High Tech High charter schools are composed of five high schools, four middle schools and one elementary school. High Tech Middle is the original middle school program and was opened in the fall of 2003. Approximately 335 students are enrolled in grades 6-8. There are four classes each in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels. Class sizes top out at 28 students. Students are selected for this school through a zip code based lottery, one that does not consider race, ethnicity or perceived ability in the selection process. This serves to diversify the student population, and to pull in students from all over San Diego County. Ethnicity Number of Students (2012-2013)
142 5 19 3 20 46 97 2 2 336

Hispanic or Latino of any race American Indian of Alaska Native, not Hispanic Asian, not Hispanic Pacifi Islander, not Hispanic Filipino, not Hispanic African American, Not Hispanic White, not Hispanic Two or more Races, not Hispanic Not Reported TOTAL

School Beliefs & Culture

High Tech Middle is part of the High Tech High Village. It is called the village because there are six other High Tech High charter schools located within blocks of each other. Teachers and students have close contact with each other, thus creating a close-knit community where teachers can work together, give support to one another and grow as educators. There are many staff development meetings each week, as well as teacher

development classes and graduate programs available for staff members to develop their ideas and skills in the service of their students. Schools within the High Tech High family aim to educate students through a hands-on, project based approach to exploring real world issues. To accomplish this goal, each classroom and school is designed around the following four design principles: 1) Personalization- Students work closely with multiple adults who actively help support their education. Each student has a voice and choice in their learning, and each individual is valued. 2) Adult Word Connection- Students work closely with professionals, communities, and seek to solve problems that concern the real world, outside of the classroom walls. Projects are designed to give students real life experiences so they begin to understand what is truly expected out of them when they become adults. 3) Common Intellectual Mission- To prepare all of our students for college, and to be successful in the adult world, our schools do not track students based on ability, nor do they make a distinction between college prep or technical classes. All students are required to take the same set of core classes. 4) Teacher as Designer Teachers work together on interdisciplinary teams (Humanities, Math/Science and Exploratory (either Art, Drama, or Spanish depending on the grade level and semester) composed of 56 students. We feel teachers best understand what their students need, and give teachers the responsibility to change what needs to be changed, do what they feel is best for each student and the school, and have the freedom to define a curriculum that they feel lets them serve their students the best. At High Tech Middle we have a staff of fifteen teachers, one Director, and four resource specialists. We have a small staff which helps creates a culture more like a family then just co-workers. Because we work so closely together we know one another well, and we care and respect each together. We value our team, and we support each other. Together, we encourage others thinking, inspire and motivate one another, and strive to create opportunities to integrate our curriculum. Interior and Exterior As for the physical location is it a haunted naval refrigeration structure or is it High Tech Middle? Its both. The building is a curious looking thing, with its cold looking exterior (no pun intended). You cannot see in from the outside as the windows are massively tinted and the general shape is a simple rectangle block of concrete - think shoebox. Eventually, when you find the front door (I say this because you can walk round and round the building and miss the front door every time - there is no grand entrance or obvious doorway. Each door looks the same.) WHAM! Theres artwork everywhere! To the right, to the left, hanging from the ceilings, and (coming soon..) the floors as well. Every wall is covered with student artwork. The artwork illustrates who our students are, the pride they take in their work, and the dedication and passion they have for the learning they experience. What is truly amazing, is that if the school were empty of all our students, you could still get a sense of who they were just by viewing their art. High Tech Middle always welcomes guests to come see what happens in our schools. To encourage viewers to witness all the chaotic beauty of project work time, the doors and most walls are made of transparent glass. Many refer to the rooms as fishbowls or viewing cages. Yes, even you can witness the curious middle school student species in their natural habitat. The Studio The art studio is located at the end of a backwards L shaped hallway, somewhat hidden behind the IT offices. People refer to the studio as the hidden cave - it is a bit difficult to find. It is the epitome of an art room. It is a very large studio with concrete floors and high ceilings with both natural and florescent lighting. When guests enter the room they are always forewarned to not sit or lean against anything: possible paint stains may occur. There are wonderful tables that show the wear and tear of existing in the art room. Each table shows the remnants of wild, creative work and some have scars from saw blades that went a little too deep. Pencil marks and paint splatters and drips are tattooed on the surface of the tables, a permanent reminder of the art they

helped support. And, to talk about the insane wood stools is another story. The students think the stools have a mind of their own. Previous students have uniquely painted each stool as an art project. Over the years, the stools have practically been rocked to death. As the students tell it, the chairs must have a mind of their own, falling over and tossing their occupants upon the floor. Hmmmnot quite how I see it. Surprisingly, for all the paint throwing, spray-painting, woodcutting, and who knows what other art mediums have been practiced and used in this class everything is extremely organized and clean. The cabinets and shelves that line the sides and back of the studio are packed with materials, and every now and then they start to overflow only to be crammed back into their zones. I have to confess that the students and I have challenged each other to see who can fit more into the overly stressed shelves. I always lose. Schedules The art schedule has been molded and created according to student and teacher feedback and opinions. There are four periods of art class to teach. Each period gets one hour per day, plus one extra hour per week to work on more complicated or messier projects. Nothing is ever concrete with schedules for the art room but, usually, class starts with a brief warm up in students sketchbooks, which could be anything from drawing illustrations to responding to thought provoking questions. Each warm-up reflects what will be taught or practiced in that days class. Some days we focus more on techniques and skills, especially when we are exploring and experimenting with new mediums. Other days can be full project workdays - a sight to see. Now close your eyes and imagine 28 students sprinkled around inside and outside of an art studio. There are stations where some students are working with power tools, some are critiquing drafts, and others are painting, carving or drawing. All are creatively solving design problems and exercising their creative spirits. The art studio at High Tech Middle is not for the faint of heart. I put a lot of trust in my students and that means allowing them to use an assortment of tools and materials with a level of freedom that might make some uncomfortable. Art Projects All art projects are created with the ideas of project-based learning in mind. When I develop projects for my students I get their input on what they would like to learn, and what they would like to work with. Students have a voice in my classroom, and they have a choice that affects what they will be doing in their art class. Our school feels that giving students voice and choice helps them to be more motivated, more engaged and dedicated to their learning. Since this is their education, we believe they should have a say in what they do and what they learn. Once a project idea is developed we set about designing a full project, one that is composed of the 6 As of Designing Projects. These six design principles help teachers structure their plans to ensure that projects are meaningful, successful and worthwhile. The 6 As are:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Authenticity Academic Rigor Applied Learning Active Exploration Adult Relationships Assessment

After a project is complete, we have an exhibition of the work so that students have a way to present their findings, their experiences, and to share with the community what they have learned. * * * My school is a place that respects and values the arts. This is one of the reasons why I feel the projects that come out of my class need to help build student confidence in how they see themselves not only as artists

but also as students. They will be required to use the things they learn in my class throughout their academic careers at High Tech High. Everything they learn builds upon what they have learned before, and the skills they learn now will help them in their future projects. Learning to sketch out ideas, building with their hands, and designing three-dimensional objects are indispensible skills for when they are working on more complex projects in the future. I believe that the setting and environment that these students work in are equally indispensible for helping to form the creative mindset that helps students become successful.