HTHNC: What are the standards?

High Tech High North County (HTHNC) goes beyond meeting the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) admissions standards. Our curriculum and graduation requirements are intentionally designed to surpass them. While California’s A–G requirements establish a foundation for college readiness, HTHNC provides students with a deeper, more comprehensive academic experience that prepares them to thrive in higher education and beyond.

HTHNC students not only meet but consistently exceed the A–G requirements in critical areas such as Math, Science, and Social Sciences. For example, while the UC and CSU systems require a minimum of three years of math, HTHNC encourages students to pursue advanced coursework that prepares them for college-level study in calculus and beyond. In Science, our students engage in hands-on, project-based learning across disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, and environemental science often completing more years of science than required. In the Social Sciences, HTHNC fosters critical thinking and civic engagement through in-depth study of history, government, and economics, ensuring students are prepared to thoughtfully engage with complex societal issues.

Beyond academics, HTHNC places a strong emphasis on real-world learning through its mandatory internship program. This requirement distinguishes HTHNC from traditional high schools by ensuring every student gains meaningful industry and workplace experience prior to graduation. These internships equip students with practical skills, professional connections, and greater clarity around career pathways thus providing a distinct advantage in both college admissions and future employment.

Our rigorous expectations and innovative educational model ensure that HTHNC graduates are not just college-ready, but college-competitive, particularly for UC and CSU campuses, which rank among the nation’s most prestigious public universities. HTHNC students graduate with more than a transcript; they leave with the confidence, skills, and experiences needed to succeed in a dynamic, rapidly changing world.