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Science and Math Institute
Science and Math Institute, nominated by A Revolution in Education, Transcend and an anonymous organization, is a high school in Tacoma, Washington that describes itself as a public district school serving learners from a primarily urban area.
Location Tacoma, Washington
Governance Public district school
Grades High
Students 600
Locale Urban
Co-Director Zach Varnell
Demographics
Percentage of students*
1%
English Learners
36%
Free/Reduced Lunch
14%
Students with Disabilities
African American or Black 6%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1%
Asian 9%
Hawaiian or Pacific Islander —
Hispanic or Latino 15%
White 57%
2+ Races 12%
Why Science and Math Institute was nominated
It's one of the most innovative schools I've seen. It's located in the Tacoma Zoo, runs its own fish hatchery with the Native peoples of Port Defiance, and runs its own daycare center. Place-based; full inclusion; experiential education; innovative district context; workforce experience. Place-based science and math (STEM) school situated in the largest city park in Washington along the Puget Sound, the Tacoma Zoo, and a UW-affiliated Marine Science Center, where students make use of all these resources to engage in real-world, place-based learning. The school's mission is to partner with students, families, and the community to provide a rigorous, interdisciplinary, and student-centered learning environment that fosters a passion for science, math, and the arts. SAMI's curriculum is designed to integrate students' learning around their passions, allowing them to understand the relevance of their work in every discipline. The school is located at Point Defiance Park, where students have the opportunity to ...
Student experience design
SAMI is a science and math-focused, placed-based school located at Point Defiance Park, Zoo, and Aquarium. The curriculum is centered around pathways in the life and physical sciences and is rooted in mentorship, career-connected learning, and project-based learning.
Core Practices
| Core Practices | Length of Use |
|---|---|
|
Career Prep And Work-based Learning |
5+ years
|
|
Competency Framework |
1-2 years
|
|
All Courses Designed For Inclusion |
5+ years
|
|
Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics |
3-4 years
|
|
Place-based Learning |
5+ years
|
All Practices
Student Advisories
AI For Teacher Productivity
Anti-racist Practices
Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning
Assessments For Career Readiness
Co-leadership
Community And Business Partnerships
Family And Community Support Services
Competency/mastery-based Education
Disaggregated Data On Student Participation
Early College High School
Extended Learning Opportunities
Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles
Grading Policies Focus On Mastery
Students Earn Industry Credentials
Interdisciplinary
Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies
Individual Learner Profiles
Individual Learning Paths
Multi-age Classrooms
No Tracked Classes
Multiple Opportunities To Demonstrate Mastery
Project-based Learning
Peer To Peer Support
High Quality Instructional Materials
Restorative Practices
SEL Curriculum
Student-led Conferences
Students Develop Projects
Universal Design For Learning
key reasons for innovating
Demonstrate what’s possible for other schools
Models Implemented
Grades PK-12
APB Model
Date Updated: 4/1/2025
*Canopy profile data is self-reported or sourced from NCES data, then verified by school leaders.