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Avanti High School

Avanti High School, nominated by an anonymous organization, is a high school in Olympia, Washington, that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily urban area.

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Location Olympia, Washington

Governance Public District School

Grades High

Students 175

Locale Urban

Principal Michael Velasquez

Demographics

Percentage of students*

—

English Learners

34%

Free/Reduced Lunch

20%

Students with Disabilities

African American or Black 1%

American Indian/Alaska Native 1%

Asian 2%

Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —

Hispanic or Latino 14%

White 74%

2+ Races —

Why Avanti High School was nominated

The school's mission is to help create growth, both academically and emotionally. This is important for their goal of creating citizens of an equitable, democratic society. The school is focused on arts education and arts integration, and also includes a focus on personalization, and "habits of mind and heart". The school also mentions social justice as an important theme across the school. Personalization happens through personal relationships with teachers and other students, self-reflection, student choice, demonstrations of mastery (rather than grades), and the role of the teacher (as a coach rather than a "sage on the stage"). "Habits of mind and heart" are "critical thinking, mindfulness, compassion, reflection, connection, responsibility, communication, quality, resiliency, joy, integrity, inspiration, and creativity." Students are regularly asked to reflect on these qualities, even within class assignments. , Avanti High School stands out because it is actively redefining what school can look like: centered on equity, grounded in culturally responsive practices, and driven by mastery as a pathway to deeper understanding and student ownership. As a Washington MBLC Cohort 1 school, Avanti is not simply adjusting practices, it is reimagining the fundamental purpose and structure of schooling to ensure that every student experiences belonging, agency, and meaningful learning. Avanti’s commitment to deepening its schoolwide equity stance is evident in how it designs learning environments where students’ identities, experiences, and cultural backgrounds are recognized as assets. Their focus on improving schoolwide systems shows a deliberate effort to build structures that are both flexible and supportive, especially important in an alternative school context. By shifting from traditional time-based models to mastery-based pathways, Avanti helps students to progress through learning in ways that honor their pace, strengths, and aspirations.

Student experience design

Avanti High School Vision: Our philosophy provides for a creative, authentic, mastery based educational system that equips all students with intellectual skills and promotes emotional intelligence. Students are empowered, informed citizens who contribute actively toward a democratic and equitable society. Avanti honors diversity and builds on the strength of its community, deliberately and explicitly, challenging all forms of inequity. Mission: Avanti is a small innovative public high school that provides a personalized learning environment. We build lifelong connections to learning, creativity, resourcefulness, and social justice. Avanti’s mission is to promote compassion, critical thinking, and creative self-expression, while emphasizing high standards for all students within an interdisciplinary structure. Core Themes: Creativity and innovation Arts integration Mastery-based learning Collaboration over competition Depth in curriculum over coverage Relationship-based environment, importance placed on community Learning to use one’s mind well Personalization Student as worker; teacher as coach Demonstrations of mastery A tone of decency and trust Developing habits of mind and heart Commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI Awareness)

Core Practices

Core Practices Length of Use

Advancement On Mastery
5+ years

Anti-racist Practices
5+ years

Assessments For Deeper Learning
5+ years

Competency/mastery-based Education
5+ years

Project-based Learning
5+ years

All Practices

Student Advisories

Apprenticeships

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Career Readiness

Assessments For Social-emotional Skills

Blended Learning

Career Advising & Support

Career Exploration

Co-leadership

College Advising & Support

Community And Workforce Partnerships

Family And Community Support Services

Cooperative Education

Culturally Responsive Practices

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Extended Learning Time

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Educators Have Industry Experience

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways

Internships

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

1:1 Mentoring

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Industry Networking

No Tracked Classes

Peer To Peer Support

Performance Based Assessment

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

SEL Integration School-wide

Service Learning

Student-led Conferences

Students Access Their Own Data

Student-led Goal Setting

Self-paced Learning

Students Develop Projects

Trauma-informed Practices

Tutoring

Youth Employment Programs

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating

Address systemic inequities

Improve academic achievement

Improve school culture

Date Updated: 4/1/2026

*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.