History & Overview of AEACHS
The dream of an AEA high school stretches back to AEA’s opening in 2002. With just a few dozen students in kindergarten, AEA’s founders foresaw the wisdom of a k-12 educational journey grounded in the International Baccalaureate program.
In 2014 a diverse group of stakeholders—including AEA staff, Board members, parents and community members—established the AEA high school task force to craft a vision and mission for a future high school. This group was expanded and reconstituted in 2019, and in early 2020 the AEA Board of Trustees approved an innovative structure that combined a renewal of the AEACMS charter (grades 6-8), adding grades 9-12 (AEACHS) and combining AEACES (grades k-5) into one unified k-12 charter. This renewal and restructuring was approved by the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) Board of Trustees by a 5-0 vote on December 1, 2020.
On September 28, 2021 the SDUSD Board of Trustees again voted unanimously to approve the allocation of funds for the acquisition and renovation of an AEA high school facility. This historic vote of support for our future school and the recognition that our students deserve to learn in an inspiring state-of-the-art facility represent a historic moment in AEA’s nearly two decades of existence.
On June 28, 2022 the SDUSD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to complete the purchase of a building that will house the future AEA high school. The building is located on the corner of 26th and J street in the Grant Hill neighborhood of San Diego, just east of downtown and adjacent to the AEACMS building which houses the charter’s middle school. Read the press release here.
When will AEACHS open?
We are scheduled to open with our first ninth graders in Fall, 2026. This date may change depending on availability of facilities.
How many students will attend AEACHS in its first year?
We will enroll 200 students in ninth grade in Fall 2026, and add 200 ninth graders per year for three subsequent years after that.
When will AEACHS reach capacity?
The school will reach capacity with 800 students grades 9-12 in the 2029-2030 academic year.
Will my AEA student be guaranteed an opening in AEACHS?
Yes. The school is designed to allow enrollment preference for students graduating from AEACMS, provided that families submit “intent to return” documentation within the stipulated enrollment window.
Will AEACHS have an IB program?
AEACHS will offer the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) as well as the innovative IB Career-related Program (IBCP).
Will students who have not graduated from AEACMS be able to attend AEACHS?
Our intention is to provide AEA students the opportunity for a k-12 IB journey, while at the same time offering students from outside AEA the chance to join our community at any grade provided there is space available. These students would be able to enroll at any time during the school year provided there is space available. If space is not available these students would be added to our enrollment lottery.
Will AEACHS offer foreign languages?
We will offer Spanish and German as foreign languages, with the possibility of adding additional languages in the future.
Will AEACHS offer sports?
Our intent is to offer interscholastic and club sports, taking into consideration the facilities constraints of an urban campus.
Where will AEACHS be located?
We are still negotiating a location for AEACHS, and hope to have an announcement with further details by Summer, 2021.
Countdown to the Opening of AEACHS
Day(s)
:
Hour(s)
:
Minute(s)
:
Second(s)