How did it all begin?
When it first opened its doors, Explorer Elementary was a small charter school in the affluent San Diego suburb of La Jolla. The parent cohort was delighted to find a public school where their children could go and where adults with similar attitudes gathered. Many parents donated huge sums of money, spent hours volunteering and were fundamental in establishing a close-knit, supportive community.
Unsurprisingly, the school grew in popularity. Concerns were raised about how the school could grow and how it could provide for its students after they graduated. In collaboration with High Tech High (HTH), a group of innovative San Diego Charter Schools, Explorer were to move in to the first floor of a new building, which the schools worked together to refurbish.
Unsurprisingly, the school grew in popularity. Concerns were raised about how the school could grow and how it could provide for its students after they graduated. In collaboration with High Tech High (HTH), a group of innovative San Diego Charter Schools, Explorer were to move in to the first floor of a new building, which the schools worked together to refurbish.
The relationship to High Tech High
Although Explorer moved into a building owned by HTH, it remained a separate entity: an organization run by HTH but with its own board and own staffing structures. Explorer Students could matriculate to any HTH school and the physical proximity of the schools allowed for intra-school collaborations.
In my class, collaboration with HTH has included working with 11th graders, sixth graders and a mixed age middle school advisory group. These collaborations open up the future to my fourth graders: showing them what their next steps might be. For both collaborating classes, collaborations raise student confidence, engagement and the quality of student discussions.
In summer 2013, the Explorer board voted for a full merger with HTH.
In my class, collaboration with HTH has included working with 11th graders, sixth graders and a mixed age middle school advisory group. These collaborations open up the future to my fourth graders: showing them what their next steps might be. For both collaborating classes, collaborations raise student confidence, engagement and the quality of student discussions.
In summer 2013, the Explorer board voted for a full merger with HTH.