Capital Campaign Update

Financials - Milestones - Stakeholder Overview - FAQs

Winter 2009-2010 Campaign Update
A major project goal was met last spring with the approval of naming rights to James and Sherry Raisbeck for their $4 million lead gift – the new school will be named Raisbeck Aviation High School.    

Public Funding: The State Legislature approved the use of $900,000 of design funds for the project as a result of the March 2009 interlocal agreement between the Highline School District and Seattle Public Schools.  In early December, Governor Gregoire included $3 million for AHS construction funding in her proposed 2010 Supplemental Capital Budget.  This amount must be approved by the legislature in the 2010 session.   Work continues on securing additional state and federal dollars for construction.   In 2009, the first contribution from the Federal government was confirmed for laboratory equipment. 

Private Funding:  An additional $1.1M was raised this summer.  The campaign has confirmed great volunteer leadership representing aerospace, engineering, STEM, public education, foundations, and businesses. 

FINANCIALS FOR $43.5M CAMPAIGN
Expense

Income
Pledges to date - $18,238,000 or 41.9% toward goal

PROJECT MILESTONES

• State of Washington

Governor Gregoire demonstrated on-going support protecting the $900,000 from her revised supplemental budget cuts.  This approval to fund design costs is considered a major step towards the State approving construction funding in the 2009/2010 sessions pending further progress towards raising the private funds.  (The State also approved an initial $275,000 for planning and pre-design costs in 2007.   This is not listed in the capital funding plan). 

• Private – Individual and Foundations

The Apex Foundation has provided generous support for fundraising costs of this ($43.5M) capital campaign.  Because of this, 100% of all contributions will go directly to building Raisbeck Aviation High School. (This is not listed in the capital funding plan). 

Status-to-date on the Raisbeck Aviation High School Capital Campaign leadership committees representing aerospace, engineering, STEM, public education, foundations, and business: Confirmed: Honorary Chair - James Raisbeck.  Campaign Co-Chairs - Peter Anderson, Reba Gilman, Peter Morton. Key Volunteers - Bill Ayer, Carolyn Corvi, Robert Cremin, Kelley Dobbs, Linda Lanham, Erik Lindbergh, Steve Mullin, Steve Pool, Mark Reis, Captain John Sluys, Sam Smith, Craig Stewart, and John Welch in addition to representatives from The Paul G. Allen Foundation, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (Steve Barkanic), and Microsoft (Jane Broom). 

• Port of Seattle

The Port of Seattle approved an initial Memorandum of Agreement to the Highline School District that provided $15M towards Aviation High School & other airport impacted school construction.  In November of 2007, the District and the Port of Seattle revised that Agreement to dedicate the entire $15M towards Aviation High School.  Over the past four years, resources from this agreement have been utilized to renovate and lease interim space and provide start-up technology.  The Highline School District pledges to dedicate $10M from this agreement towards the construction of the new school at The Museum of Flight.  

• Highline School District

The Highline School District has confirmed an additional $2M towards the cost of this project and will be the first source for any contingencies.

• Federal Appropriations

We have received our first amount of Federal funding for the project - $238,000 from the 2009 Appropriation process to help build labs at the new school.  Congressmen Adam Smith was the lead advocate for these funds with the assistance of Congressmen Jim McDermott (the new school will be located in his district).  We have just completed the submission of 2010 appropriation requests and are working on identifying other types of Department of Education funds that are targeted for innovative high schools.

• Partnership with The Museum of Flight

The school has been invited to reside on a portion of the West Campus of The Museum of Flight, providing an extended learning lab for the study of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). This represents an unprecedented opportunity for The Museum of Flight and Aviation High School to serve as a national model of excellence for STEM.

• Role of the Highline Schools Foundation

The Highline Schools Foundation will be the fiscal agent for the Raisbeck Aviation High School Capital Campaign.  This will benefit Highline School District and Aviation High School.       

What is Aviation High School?

• The only public, college preparatory, aviation-themed high school in the Northwest.
• A school that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and that is supported by a strong foundation in the Humanities.
• A learning community that believes it is possible for all students to be simultaneously prepared for higher education and work in a knowledge-based global economy.

What are the goals of this public high school?           

• To be the premier public high school of choice for students who wish to pursue their passion for science, space, and technology.
• To prepare students for college, career, and citizenship through a personalized, rigorous, and relevant learning experience – facilitated in the context of aviation and aerospace.

Why do we need Aviation High School?

• To narrow the achievement gap in math and science.
• To increase high school and college graduation rates.
• To provide the intellectual and technical capital to fulfill workforce needs in science, math, and engineering-related fields.
• To enhance economic competitiveness in Washington State.

Who attends Aviation High School?

• Students throughout the Puget Sound region apply to this public school.
• To date, 65% are local students with others commuting from 20 school districts – some as far away as Tacoma, Everett, Bainbridge, and Bremerton.
• Many aspire to become scientists, engineers, astronauts, pilots, aviation technicians, and CEOs in aviation/aerospace fields.
• Many come because of the focus on math, science, and technology.
• Some are drawn by the unique approach to teaching and learning.
• A freshman class was added in 2008, the largest class yet at 125, bringing the total number of students enrolled in the school to near capacity of 400 students.
• Most importantly, students want to come – they are truly motivated to learn!

Why does Aviation High School need a new building?

•  Since its inception in 2004 Aviation High School has operated out of two temporary facilities.   These short-term solutions limit the school’s ability to provide relevant learning experiences for students.
• The Boeing Field area is surrounded by more than 200 aviation-related businesses and the world-renowned Museum of Flight.  It is the ideal location to partner with aviation and aerospace leaders and ensure relevance in the instructional program.
• The school has been invited to reside on a portion of property acquired by The Museum of Flight, providing an extended learning lab for the study of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) as well as history.  This represents an unprecedented opportunity for The Museum of Flight and Aviation High School to serve as a national model of excellence for STEM.
• Aviation High School needs a permanent home that is easily accessible by public transportation, that inspires young people, and that provides a pipeline of future employees to fill the critical gaps within the workforce.

What are the Academic Accomplishments?

• WASL results for the class of 2010 are most positive, with students meeting or exceeding the standard, as follows:  98% in Reading and Writing, 80% in Math, and 79% in Science.
• In 2008, Aviation High School graduated its first class with 71 seniors:
• 94% met college readiness standards as defined by the Higher Education Coordinating Board;
• Among the highlights of these graduates, students are attending: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Harvey Mudd University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, The United States Air Force Academy, Rocky Mountain College, University of Washington, and Washington State University;
• The class as a whole earned approximately $1,000,000 in scholarships, including several that are full tuition.
• During the 2008-2009 school year, AHS scored third highest in the state in math and in science.  This is particularly significant since 21.3% of AHS students were on free and reduced lunch while the other top-scoring high schools served 2.3% and 1.1% respectively.
• In their first year of academic competition in 2005-2006, Aviation High School 9th and 10th grade students placed 2nd in the National Science Decathlon, competing against 11th and 12th graders.  They brought home a total of 26 medals.
• The F.I.R.S.T Robotics Team has consistently earned top awards in regional and state competitions over the past three years, and they have made it to the World Championships every year.  They have been recognized for technical excellence, gracious professionalism, and knowledge of business and entrepreneurial leadership practices.
• Five Advanced Placement courses are offered, and students consistently score at or above state and national averages.

How is Aviation High School funded and supported?

• As a public school, Aviation High School receives basic education funding from the State.
• The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided $600,000 in start-up funding.
• The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation awarded the school a three-year grant to develop and implement an internship and mentoring program.
• 150+ mentors from the aviation community serve as mentors and advisors to students and staff.
• Parents contribute approximately 20 hours of volunteer time each year.

How can I get involved?

• Add your name of support to this project.  “Together we can demonstrate that the sky is NOT the limit!”
• Be an advocate and member of our team by helping to tell the story.

What are the benefits?

• For individuals – Hands-on involvement and personal satisfaction that you are creating a legacy in public education.
• For businesses – Qualified STEM students who can help us compete in the global marketplace where the U.S. once dominated.