A Small School With A Big Vision
Aviation High School breaks the mold and presents a new approach for what a public high school can be. Not only is it the only college preparatory aviation-themed high school in the Northwest, it’s a small school with a clear purpose — namely, to help create the next generation of scientists, engineers, and other aviation and aerospace-focused professionals who can provide leadership in a global marketplace where the U.S. once dominated.

We opened in 2004 with the inaugural class of freshmen and are now at capacity of 400 students in grades 9-12. Students come from all over the Puget Sound region, some as far away as Tacoma, Everett, and Bremerton. Many aspire to become scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, aviation technicians, and CEOs in aviation/aerospace fields. Though we are currently in a temporary location in Des Moines, it is important that the school ultimately be located within the Boeing Field vicinity to fully realize its vision and mission. We are pleased that plans are underway to construct a permanent school by The Museum of Flight near Seattle. Locating our school in the heart of Seattle’s aviation and aerospace community will provide unlimited opportunity for students to learn from aviation and aerospace professionals. Anticipated date of occupancy in the new school is during the 2011-2012 school year.

For our students, learning is about much more than books. It’s about using their head, hands and heart to learn from some of the best minds in aviation and aerospace industries. Students present structural concepts to engineers; they build robots, rockets and wing beams. They collaborate, and sometimes compete, with mentors in the workforce to solve problems and implement solutions to economic, political, social, or cultural challenges.

View plans for our new school.

“This is the kind of school that we should be shining the light on at the federal level. I’m not aware of any other in the country doing what you’re doing here. I’m struck by the innovation.” Charles Rose, General Counsel for the United States Department of Education during 2009 visit to Aviation High School       “By engaging mentors from business and industry, it doesn’t matter the size of the parents’ bank accounts, all kids have opportunities here — and mentors connect the learning to real jobs.” Aviation High School mentor

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