Aviation High School will receive more than $600,000 from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to create a mentorship and internship program. This program will connect students with the aerospace and aviation community, aid students in the development of leadership skills, and encourage students to apply what they have learned in class during their internships.

The $610,157 received from the Allen Family Foundation will be matched with funds from King County, state vocational educational funds, the school, the PTSA, and in-kind support for a total of more than $1.1 million.

“This grant and matching funds will ensure that our students at Aviation High School continue on a path that prepares them for college, career, and citizenship,” stated John Welch, Superintendent of Highline Public Schools. “Community mentorships and internships give students a tremendous opportunity to form relationships with industry professionals and to see how their coursework connects with what the workplace will expect of them.”

The Mentorship and Internship Program goal is to have all students understand and experience the link between learning in school and preparation for college and career and to have them apply their classroom learning in real world work settings. Upon completion of an internship, students will use their new or refined knowledge and skills to evaluate their goals for college and career. The internship experiences will be captured in the students’ “13th year and beyond” plan and in their portfolios. Overall, the combined experience of mentoring and interning will play a significant role in influencing student and family decision-making related to college and career.

“Partnerships with aviation-related businesses and industry are a critical part of Aviation High School,” said Principal and CEO Reba Gilman. “This grant gives us an opportunity to create an internship model that allows students to experience scientific systems and operations related to the aviation and aerospace industries.”