“It’s like coming full circle” says Lentor Nash, a High Tech High alumnus, as he walks the halls of his alma mater 20 years after graduating from high school. Lentor returned to campus on this day to recruit 11th-grade students for internships. It is part of Internship Launch Day at the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High. A day where more than 25 community members from Scripps Research, the City of San Diego, Tesla, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego courts, and parent volunteers talk with our 11th grade students about careers, internships, and their hopes for their future. Some of the organizations also interviewed students on site for internships. 

All HTH students are required to do a one month internship in their junior year where they work 30 hours a week on site to learn workplace skills and gain valuable experience in a job-related field. 

Lentor, Class of 2003, returned to HTH to recruit interns for the City of San Diego. He works in the City Attorney’s office as an administrator. 

“This place was so important to me in my formative years. It really shaped me to become who I am today,” he says. “I learned how to look sharp and act professional.”  

Lexus Jackson, HTH Class of 2012, was reflective on her return to HTH to recruit interns for the City of San Diego. She works in the Parks And Recreation Department. “It’s emotional for me to come back here,” she says. “There was a lot of drama the years that I was here.” 

Lexus goes on to say, “so many people here helped me see a bright future and now I want to give back. I am looking to recruit students who are like me and give them a chance.” 

Both Lentor and Lexus seek out HTH Dean of Students Marcus Bell who greets them with a smile. “So great to see you both,” Marcus exclaims. Ninth grade Humanities teacher Juli Ruff runs by and then stops in her tracks, “Lexus? No way, so awesome to see you.”

High Tech High Director of Admissions Veronica Grajeda noted there are approximately 10,000 alumni now. “It’s incredible,” she added.

High Tech High opened in September 2000 with one high school with approximately 450 students. Today, there are 16 schools in the High Tech High charter school network at four locations in San Diego County. They consist of six high schools, five middle schools, and five elementary schools.  

Lentor continues to walk the hallway and sees the art he created and the tables he built as part of the first class of students at High Tech High. “There was literally nothing here when we started,” he says, “I built those tables.” 

Both Lexus and Lentor said they decided to attend High Tech High years ago because their families were looking for a better and different form of education. How do they feel High Tech High served them?

Lentor said, “it really shaped me in high school and set me up for success in life.”

Lexus added, laughing, “when I went to class, it made a difference. It all worked out for me.”