New Tech Network (NTN) began in the mid-90s in Napa, California. The local schools were meeting education standards, and the community thought of Napa High School as a good school. However, local business leaders remained concerned that meeting basic standards would not be enough to ensure that students were graduating with the skills needed to meet the needs of the new economy.

These business and community leaders decided to make a difference. Working with the local school district, they began researching innovations in education to re-imagine what a truly great school might be like. In 1996, the Napa Valley Unified School District established Napa New Technology High School with the first class of 100 students.

As Napa New Technology High School thrived, local business leaders and education advocates came together to ensure the school’s long-term success and sustainability by establishing the New Tech Foundation. In 2001, New Tech was awarded a $6 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. With this funding, New Tech was charged with launching 14 schools over three years.

From this initial launch, New Tech has continued to grow. In the 2006-07 school year, New Tech opened 23 new sites with clusters in Los Angeles, North Carolina, Texas, and Indiana, supported by an online learning system. In 2009, New Tech became a subsidiary of KnowledgeWorks, allowing New Tech to further expand its reach. In 2010, New Tech had its greatest growth ever, opening 27 new schools.

Today, their name is New Tech Network and they support 120 schools in 18 states and Australia. New Tech schools leverage what research tells us about how people learn to create an exceptional teaching and learning environment. Based on this research and our own experience, NTN creates a rigorous and engaging high school experience that features project-based learning, the seamless use of technology, and a positive and empowering school culture.

From New Tech Network.