Mission
Built upon a foundation of academic excellence and a mindset to drive change, Exploration High School graduates are empowered with 21st century skills to solve the problems facing their communities.
Vision
Creating a school of learners who work and ideate together to build a culture and community of empathetic, equitable, and forward-thinking problem solvers.
Our Staff
Dave Heighington
School Director
"We are reimagining high school education together. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of education across the country and have seen what authentic learning looks, sounds, and feels like. Everyone has a place at the table. Whether you're a student, parent, staff, or community member, you belong here. That's what we're building together.”
Liz Ford
Special Education Facilitator
“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”
Clarisa Gonzalez
SPED Paraprofessional
“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”
Mat Hunkins
Mathematics Facilitator
"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."
Alycia Monserrate
Social Studies Facilitator
¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨
Nat Turner
Director of Community Engagement
“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”
Hannah Witzig
Science Facilitator
“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”
Community Partnerships
Exploration High School is made possible in collaboration with these partners
Our Staff
Dave Heighington
School Director
"We are reimagining high school education together. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of education across the country and have seen what authentic learning looks, sounds, and feels like. Everyone has a place at the table. Whether you're a student, parent, staff, or community member, you belong here. That's what we're building together.”
Liz Ford
Special Education Facilitator
“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”
Clarisa Gonzalez
SPED Paraprofessional
“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”
Mat Hunkins
Mathematics Facilitator
"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."
Alycia Monserrate
Social Studies Facilitator
¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨
Nat Turner
Director of Community Engagement
“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”
Hannah Witzig
Science Facilitator
“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”
Our Staff
Dave Heighington
School Director
"We are reimagining high school education together. I've been fortunate to be at the forefront of education across the country and have seen what authentic learning looks, sounds, and feels like. Everyone has a place at the table. Whether you're a student, parent, staff, or community member, you belong here. That's what we're building together.”
Liz Ford
Special Education Facilitator
“The reason I became a teacher is because I want to be the teacher I wish I had as a student, and as a teenager in particular. I truly believe in the power of intention and the energy we give our students. I’ve seen that many students only achieve as much as we as teachers believe and tell them they can do. Even one person who values your success can change the entire trajectory of your life.”
Clarisa Gonzalez
SPED Paraprofessional
“It's so important to recognize just how powerful young people are. They are the ones that are always ready to do the work to make changes within their communities. As an educator that gets the privilege to work alongside them, I want to support and encourage their ideas and make sure they are truly being heard.”
Mat Hunkins
Mathematics Facilitator
"I believe that creating learning around students’ interests, passions, and identities is the most successful way to create a love of learning. I found success running on the philosophy of ‘you need to meet students where they are at."
Alycia Monserrate
Social Studies Facilitator
¨I believe that in order to genuinely rethink the way we do education, we must first center student voices in order to create an environment that is rooted in community, autonomy, and collaboration. As a social studies educator, my goal is that each student is leaving my classroom with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to be a true changemaker in this world and to live a life of choice, whatever that may be.¨
Nat Turner
Director of Community Engagement
“We need to look at authentic (or real) issues that students see playing out in their daily lives. And we need to recognize young people for who they authentically are.”
Jeffery Williams
Dean of Students
“Students need to know every day is a new day, but it's important to learn and grow from yesterday! Don't take things for granted, don't limit yourself, and stay true to what you believe in!”
Hannah Witzig
Science Facilitator
“When students leave my classroom, I want them to think critically about real-world problems that affect their community, collaborate successfully with people from very different backgrounds, and generate thoughtful questions. These skills will serve students best in their future endeavors, no matter what that might be. If these are the things we want our students to be able to do, then this is what we should be measuring. A test score alone does not tell you everything.”
Board Members
Nathan Strenge (Chair)
Co-Founder
Liz Ford
Teacher
Ryan Rodriguez (Treasurer)
Community Member
Stephen Bell-Kemp (Governance)
Co-Founder
Kowanna Powell Anderson
Community Member
Jay Dean
Community Member
Dr. Marisa Rivera Lugo
Community Member
Attend Our Next Board Meeting!
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 @5:30pm at ExHS
If you would like to make a public comment, please email dave.heighington@explorationhighschool.org at least 48 business hours before a meeting.
Minutes from Previous Meetings