In Spring 2025, SIATech High Schools surveyed more than 1,000 previous graduates to hear what it is about SIATech high schools that made a difference for them. More than 100 graduates participated in the survey.
The SIATech Alumni Impact Report shares their responses, which demonstrates SIATech’s life changing impact on the at-promise students it serves. Since SIATech serves 16-24 year old students through two innovative high school programs (classroom-based in partnership with Job Corps and an independent study high school model) some results are disaggregated by program.
SIATech High Schools’ framework supports its students during their entire educational journey, from pre-enrollment through the SIATech Way to post-exit alumni supports.
In 2024-2025, more than 2,500 students were served in SIATech’s program in grades 10-12. And, in this school year, 640+ graduates earned their WASC-accredited diplomas and moved on to college and career.
When asked to review their overall experience at SIATech High Schools, SIATech received 4.55 stars out of more than 114 responses. If it is disaggregated to show just independent study, SIATech Independent Study High School graduates gave the school network a near perfect 4.8 stars!
The alumni survey asked SIATech graduates to consider the things that made the biggest impact on their ability to succeed at the high school. The top feature was that it is Self-Paced" as 84% of responders said this was one of their favorite part about SIATech. As Israel M. said: "The best part about SIATech was how you learned at your own pace but got the help you needed when asked.”
In a close second, 82% of responders reported that their teachers were difference makers. There is no doubt that SIATech's model works: by having a mentor teacher for every student, SIATech students know exactly who to turn to when they need a caring adult on their side.
Other favorite items include the safety and peaceful quiet environment of the SIATech classrooms (49%), the curriculum and things they learned while in SIATech courses (37%), and the fact that SIATech students receive career training (35%) while they finish high school.
This video highlights several SIATech graduates who share in their own words their high school experience before SIATech, how the teachers made a difference while they were in SIATech classes, and what they plan to do after graduation.
Thank you to all these wonderful alumni who volunteered to tell us why SIATech is more than just a high school!