Partner Schools In
Tacoma Public Schools
Tacoma School of the Arts
Science and Math Institute
School of Industrial Design, Engineering, and Art
The application for the Class of 2029 for SOTA, SAMI, and IDEA will open on Monday, October 14, 2024. Information Nights at all three schools are now scheduled and listed on the Info Nights tab. Middle School visits in all of the Tacoma Public Schools’ Middle Schools will begin in mid-October.
Tacoma Public Schools of Choice
SOTA
Visual Arts and Performing Arts
IDEA
Engineering, Computer Science and Design
SAMI
Physical Science, Life Sciences & Math
Mission and Vision
We believe all students have the right to high-quality educational experiences that develop their unique needs and passion.
The Mission of the Partner Schools is to change public education by emphasizing creativity and utilizing a fully inclusive model that educates the whole student through our core values of empathy, community, balance, and thinking.
Why Choose SOTA, SAMI or IDEA?
Hear from co-directors Kainoa Higgins (IDEA), Liz Minks (SAMI) and Renee Froembling (SOTA) about what makes these three schools so unique.
“SOTA (Tacoma School of the Arts) is one of the best examples in the nation of a school that leverages urban assets”
— Tom VanderArk
Advocate for Innovations in Learning, CEO, Getting Smart
Former Executive Director of Education, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
What People Are Saying
At SAMI without community impact, you won’t have anything. We’re part of something bigger than one building, bigger than our school, and we use everything to our advantage.”
— SAMI Student
“IDEA embraces place-based, experiential, and project-based learning that leverages Tacoma’s resources and exposes students to post-graduation opportunities.”
— Chan Zuckerberg, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative
“To see the new 3r’s (rigor, relationships and relevance) in action, you need look only as far as Tacoma’s School of the Arts. I can’t overstate how much I’ve learned by meeting dynamic teachers and administrators”