Yes, we will be welcoming all of our students to school in person on the first day of school. We look forward to safely learning together.

Our priority is to begin the 2021-22 school year with 100% in-person instruction at all of our schools. We will not be offering a distance learning or independent study option at any of our High Tech High schools at this time.

At this time we will not be offering a distance learning or independent study option at any of our schools, for a few reasons:

Students’ overall well-being: The last year and a half have confirmed that students truly thrive and learn best in the classroom, which is why local, state, and national public health guidance is prioritizing safe, in-person instruction. High Tech High is following that guidance to ensure all students have a safe place to go where to connect with teachers and peers and engage in hands-on learning opportunities that promote their academic, social, and emotional well-being and development.

Strong in-person safety measures: We are confident that our schools can safely operate in person ith the responsible, layered safety and prevention measures we will have in place. Our COVID-19 mitigation strategies include encouraging student, family, and staff vaccinations; weekly COVID-19 screening and testing; options to receive rapid PCR tests to rule out close contact exposure; mandatory masking indoors and distancing outdoors; appropriate ventilation, including HVAC systems and outdoor classrooms; and health and safety protocols for all students and staff.

Insufficient resources for distance learning: As a charter school network, we are exempt from the requirement to offer distance learning instruction. Given the small size of our network, staff capacity, and current funding, we do not have the staff and fiscal resources available to provide a distance learning option at this time that meets the current regulatory requirements.

Individual schools within other districts are not providing hybrid or distance learning, either. Parents in other districts who are interested in a distance learning program must contact their district office to enroll in the district-wide online program. Unlike High Tech High, other district offices have the resources and funding to implement distance learning programs that we as a small charter network do not.

We know health and safety is top of mind for our High Tech High families. We have key safety and health guidelines in place to ensure our students, families and staff are safe.

COVID-19 Testing: All students and staff must submit a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen) before the start of school on Monday, August 30th. The test result should be dated between August 16th and August 30th. If your student cannot produce proof of a negative COVID test because they tested positive for COVID within the last 90 days, you can submit the date of their positive test instead.

Testing can be done on your own at one of the available testing sites in our region, or on-site at your students’ school location. Your school will provide on-site antigen testing, so please look out for a message from your school with more information on dates and times. We will provide additional details about on-site testing soon. We encourage families to submit their students’ negative test results and vaccine status for students over the age of 12, here.

Per the governor’s order, all staff must also submit proof of vaccination by October 15 or participate in weekly COVID-19 testing. We will be providing ongoing, on-site testing of staff and students to monitor the spread of COVID-19 within our schools. You will receive additional information on how to submit your student’s test results and register for voluntary testing before the first day of school.

Face Masks: All adults and K-12 students, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, are required to wear masks indoors. Please refer to the CDC guidance for an overview of acceptable masks for in-person learning. The use of face coverings in indoor spaces will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and its variants, on our campuses. We also encourage staff and students to wear a face shield in addition to a mask, but not in place of one. At this time, masks are optional outdoors for everyone in K-12 school settings, but we recommend that unmasked students and maintain social distancing guidelines.

Vaccination: Medical experts have shared that vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself, your family, and our community from serious illness, including the Delta variant. Vaccination is not mandatory for students at this time, but they are available, for free, for everyone 12 years and older. You can also get the latest information, and find out where to get vaccinated, at the CDC website. Per the Governor’s recent order, all K-12 staff will be required to show proof of vaccination by October 15, and staff members who are unvaccinated will participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.

Cleaning & Sanitation: We will encourage all staff and students to regularly wash or sanitize their hands during the school day. Additionally, high-touch surfaces will be regularly cleaned throughout the day.

Ventilation: All High Tech High buildings will follow CDC guidance related to ventilation recommendations, including maximizing ventilation rates, opening windows or using air conditioners to increase air circulation and keeping classroom doors open when possible.

Weather permitting, meals will be served to students outside. At this time, masks are optional outdoors for everyone in K-12 school settings, but we recommend that unmasked students and staff maintain social distancing guidelines.

HTH will follow the CDC’s guidance for students who show signs of infectious illness consistent with COVID-19 while at school. Staff will excuse students from the classroom and alert their designated COVID-19 safety plan administrator. The safety plan administrator will ensure that the student is properly supervised while contacting a parent, guardian or caregiver to make arrangements for the student to either go home or seek emergency medical attention. Areas occupied by the student will be cleaned, disinfected and ventilated.

At High Tech High, we will follow the COVID-19 K-12 Decision Tree (Árboles de Decisión Para COVID-19 Grados K-12) regarding isolation and quarantine procedures for a confirmed case of COVID-19. The last update to the COVID-19 Decision Tree was made on October 7, 2021.

We will encourage all staff and students to regularly wash or sanitize their hands during the school day. Additionally, high-touch surfaces will be regularly cleaned throughout the day. Each school has a decontamination unit to do a deep clean of the classrooms in the event of an outbreak.

No, students will not be kept in separate cohorts.

Yes. Like all HTH staff, athletic coaches will have to be either vaccinated or participate in weekly testing, per the Governor's order.

We have been working closely with the local public health department, and they recommended that we put this safety measure in place.

The negative test result should be dated between August 16 and August 30.

Students can either take an antigen or PCR test.

If your student tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 90 days and it has been at least 10 days since their positive test or the onset of symptoms, you do not need to submit a negative test. You can attest that your student tested positive and that it has been at least 10 days since then.

All students were tested before the start of the school year in August. Currently, students are tested after potential or certain exposure to COVID-19.

No, but we will track students' vaccination status.

Yes, masks are required indoors in school settings for all adults and students, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Elementary school students are required to wear masks outdoors, except when seated during snack and lunch breaks. Middle and high school students are strongly encouraged to wear a mask outdoors.

Masks are one of the most effective and simplest safety mitigation layers to prevent in-school transmission of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is primarily transmitted via airborne particles. Masks limit the spread of the virus in the air from infected persons and protect others exposed to these particles.

Please refer to the CDC guidance for an overview of acceptable masks for in-person learning. A face shield may be worn in addition to a mask, but not in place of one.

Yes, our teachers and staff will monitor to ensure students are wearing their masks properly and there will be signage throughout our schools with reminders of how to properly wear face masks. Additionally, to the extent possible, we will ensure that students have the ability to take a mask break outdoors with supervision. Students that do not comply with the mask mandate will be sent home.

Yes, per guidance from the California Department of Health, any student who requires a medical exemption from mask-wearing will need to obtain a note from a physician, nurse practitioner, or other licensed medical professional practicing under the license of a physician.

Students who receive a medical exemption from mask-wearing will need to wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge, as long as their condition permits it.

Vaccination is not mandatory for students at this time, but per the Governor’s recent order, all K-12 staff are required to show proof of vaccination. Staff members who are unvaccinated will participate in weekly COVID-19 testing.

As the new school year is starting, we want to make sure everyone in our schools are aware of the availability of the COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccines are available, for free, for everyone 12 years and older. Medical experts have shared that they are the single best way to protect yourself, your family, and our community from serious illness, including the Delta variant. You can also get the latest information, and find out where to get vaccinated, at the CDC website.

All High Tech High buildings will follow CDC guidance related to ventilation recommendations, including maximizing ventilation rates, opening windows or using air conditioners to increase air circulation and keeping classroom doors open when possible. Our air conditioning systems were also updated to MERV-13 in the Spring, and they continue to be serviced and maintained.

Yes, we will have tents, tables and chairs in outdoor locations to allow for outdoor instruction and learning at the teacher's discretion.

Yes, extracurricular activities will be available for students this school year. Additional information will be available from your individual school.

Yes, students and school staff are allowed to go outside during recess. Elementary school students are required to wear masks outdoors, except when seated during snack and lunch breaks. Middle and high school students are strongly encouraged to wear a mask outdoors.

We are limiting all parents and family members inside our schools at this time. Unless you have a pre-existing appointment, families will be told to wait outside as much as possible. Everyone will be required to wear masks indoors, no matter the length of time you are in the school.

Vendors will be required to be masked at all times they are on campus. Vendors may be subject to testing guidelines depending on their proximity to students (less than 6 feet for more than 15 minutes).