RICHLAND -- The Washington State STEM Education Foundation has been awarded a $400,000 grant for teacher training and program design at the new Delta High School in Richland.
The two-year grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation was announced Tuesday.
"This is an endorsement for this school and these (kinds of) programs from a nationally plugged-in foundation. That is really huge for us, saying that what we're doing is leading not only the state but the nation in STEM programs for K-12," said Phil Ohl, president of the STEM foundation board.
Most of the money will be used for teacher training at Delta High, the new school focused on the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and math. It opened last fall.
Delta has a unique curriculum in which STEM lessons are integrated into all subjects -- even language arts and history -- and teachers collaborate closely on lessons.
The grant also is to help Delta educators finish designing curriculum. This year Delta has only freshmen, so all details for the upper grades aren't yet final.
Foundation officials said the Delta program was chosen because of its innovative approach.
Through Delta High, "students are going to get a robust educational experience. It'll prepare them for whatever they're going to do next in life," said Anson Fatland, a senior program officer for the foundation.
Paul G. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates. His foundation awards millions of dollars in grants to groups throughout the Pacific Northwest that work in education, the arts and social service.
The foundation gave the Tri-Cities STEM school program $250,000 two years ago to help with the planning process.
Delta High was started by the Richland, Pasco and Kennewick school districts, Battelle, Washington State University Tri-Cities and Columbia Basin College.
The Washington State STEM Education Foundation, which is based in the Tri-Cities, formed last year to raise money for Delta High and to promote STEM education.
It will administer the grant money for Delta High.
This year, 100 freshmen from throughout the Tri-Cities are enrolled at Delta. Next year, they'll move up to 10th grade and a new class of freshmen will join the school.
Applications for that group are being accepted now. The deadline to apply is
March 26.
Delta High is the only school of its kind in the Tri-Cities and the state. Since it opened in fall 2009, it's been visited by state officials and educators from as far away as Mexico and China interested in learning how it works.
Principal Deidre Holmberg said the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant will allow Delta leaders to continue strengthening the program.
"All of our donors have been so generous," she said. "Hopefully we will be able to not only meet their expectations but exceed them."
-- On the net: www.wastemedu.org, www.thedelta highschool.com
-- Sara Schilling: 509-582-1402; sschilling@tricityherald.com
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KENNEWICK — An information night for prospective Delta High School freshmen is 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Kennewick School District Administration Center at 1000 W. Fourth Ave.
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The information night is designed to help eighth-graders and their parents determine if Delta High is the right fit for them. Delta teachers, current students, and parents will be on hand to meet, answer questions, and talk about their experiences.
Richland School District looks to buy Delta property
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The district would use money left over from a bond levy voters approved in 2003 to buy the Richland property, which is assessed at about $1.2 million, Superintendent Jim Busey told the Herald after Tuesday's school board meeting.
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A sterling example is Delta High School. Delta is a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) high school that distinguishes itself as an inclusive high school. Any student residing within the three school districts can enroll -- no tests, no aptitude minimums, no private tuition and no application screening.
After just two years of operation, the 2010 High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) results show that, if taken as a separate high school, Delta would rank among the top 5 percent of all public high schools in our state.
It's time to take a look at charter schools (again)
It's time to take a look at charter schools (again)
Washington voters have rejected charter schools three times but things are different now.
Today, we are one of only eight states that don't allow charter schools. It's not always a good idea to follow the herd, but when everyone else is on a different path, it's prudent to find out why.
In any case, there is an advantage to being one of the last to join the party. Other states already have broken ground, leaving a smooth path for those that follow.
It's time to take a look
at charter schools (again)
It's time to take a look
at charter schools (again)
Washington voters have rejected charter schools three times but things are different now.
Today, we are one of only eight states that don't allow charter schools. It's not always a good idea to follow the herd, but when everyone else is on a different path, it's prudent to find out why.
In any case, there is an advantage to being one of the last to join the party. Other states already have broken ground, leaving a smooth path for those that follow.
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