HIGH TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL

High Tech Middle is a Title I public charter middle school that is part of the San Diego Unified school district, located in San Diego, CA with about 322 students offering grade levels from 6th Grade to 8th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 15 teachers, High Tech Middle has a student/teacher ratio of about 21:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

High Tech Middle (HTM), located in the historic Liberty Station area of San Diego, is a project-based learning school that operates as part of the broader High Tech High network. Serving grades 6–8, the school is founded on four core design principles: equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaborative design. Unlike traditional middle schools, HTM minimizes standardized testing and lectures, instead emphasizing deep student inquiry, interdisciplinary projects, and the creation of high-quality products that are presented to a public audience.

The school environment at High Tech Middle is purposefully designed to foster a tight-knit community where teachers serve as both educators and mentors. Classes are typically heterogeneous and inclusive, designed to mirror the diversity of the surrounding San Diego area. By integrating core subjects—such as humanities and STEM—into real-world challenges, HTM aims to prepare students not only for high school but for long-term success by developing critical thinking, communication skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in a professional-style setting.

For more information, contact High Tech Middle at (619) 814-5060 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.