This report outlines key areas of progress on Maritime High School supported by the Interlocal
Agreement between the Port of Seattle and Maritime High School. Additional details and information
are available upon request.
Demographics of students outreached and in program
Currently Enrolled Student - 121
TO: Port of Seattle
FROM: Jamila Gordon, Principal of Maritime High School & Bernard Koontz, Executive Director of Teaching, Learning and Leadership
DATE: December 15, 2023
SUBJECT: Annual Report of the Interlocal Agreement between Highline Public Schools and the Port of Seattle regarding Maritime
MEMO
Student Outreached – 1191 (8
th
grade class)
Specific outreach has included holding a counselor breakfast to provide information about MHS; a
Career Expo where families could learn about MHS and local maritime careers; once monthly
prospective family nights; and visits to middle school classes across Highline.
Beyond Highline 8
th
graders, additional recruitment activity has included school visits and providing
counselors a slide deck with details about MHS that they can present to classes. Northwest Maritime
Center plays a prominent role in supporting out of district recruitment, including creating various
recruitment tools and organizing events to share information.
Lessons learned and student testimonials
In its third year, the school is learning the extent to which high-quality meaningful field experiences
are sustainable. In projecting for a larger 9
th
grade class in fall 2024 with 4 groups of students,
increasing from 2, plans are in place to prioritize the most meaningful experiences, and strengthen
classroom-based experiences to be standards-aligned, rooted in maritime content, and remain highly
engaging.
For the 11
th
and 12
th
grade program, the school has shifted its plans from a program which would be
largely based in internships. Instead, the school is developing relationships with education partners
that will provide maritime specific education that will support direct entry to maritime careers and keep
a pathway open to a 4-year university experience. The relationship with Seattle Maritime Academy is
an example of this. Planning is underway to match the intentionality and outcomes for programming
based in marine science and maritime construction. Students will still continue to have multiple
opportunities to engage with industry and community partners, including some internship
experiences.
Student voice is critical to ongoing planning, providing impact, and informing the school’s leadership.
A recent example is our students have given input on school culture by helping to choose the school’s
acronym for PBIS (positive behavior intervention and supports), which is WAVES (Welcoming,
Accountable, Visionary, Equitable, Supportive). Students are also analyzing components of the
school handbook.
Any other tangible benefits of the program
As the school engaged with industry partners, assumptions are challenged and questions are opened
that lead maritime sector employers to better understand how to work with tomorrow’s workforce in a
manner that strives to be increasingly equitable and welcoming for all. This is particularly true as the
school engages individuals in opportunities to meet with students in mentoring students, and in large
group presentations.
Instructional plans demonstrating Maritime focus of curriculum
Please see Attachment A and Attachment B which are examples of instructional plans for 9
th
and 10
th
grade. Attachment C describes the program in place for 11
th
and 12
th
graders at Seattle Maritime
Academy. Attachment D describes the pathway for 11
th
graders focused on Marine Science; further
programming for 12
th
grade and for maritime construction is in development.
