171. Awe and Pride at High Tech High, with Poema, Diego and Jillian

Many of you know that the film Most Likely to Succeed changed my life, opening doors into the education reimagined movement I never imagined possible. At the heart of that film was High Tech High in San Diego. Despite its name, High Tech High is not one school or simply a technology academy. It is a network of 16 public charter schools serving roughly 6,300 K–12 students. Founded in 2000, HTH is known for project-based learning grounded in equity, personalization, authentic work, and collaborative design. Students create work for public audiences, participate in exhibitions and presentations of learning, and complete real-world internships. Eleven years after I first discovered High Tech High, I have the privilege of sitting down with three remarkable students. Jillian Quinn Asiong, 16, is an athlete, adventurer, and entrepreneur whose jewelry business helped finance her own trip to South Korea. Diego Harris, 17, has pursued student government, environmental advocacy, community service, and an internship in government communications. Poema Strong, 16, is a basketball player, runner, guitarist, student leader, and outdoor adventurer whose transformative chemistry experience redirected her ambitions toward becoming a surgeon. All three have a lot to say about learning, challenge, relationships, purpose, and what school could be. Preparing for this conversation has been a privilege. And a huge shout-out to Brittney Quinones at High Tech High for helping make it happen. Brittney, you rock. My additional thanks to my editor, the talented Evan Kurohara of SOZEN Audio, and my creative consultant and co-producer, Mel Ching.