In cooperation with high-tech industry and community agencies, the Napa Valley Unified School District embarked on an innovative high school program to prepare students for high-tech careers or college. In partnership with technology leaders such as Silicon Graphics, Hewlett-Packard and Apple Computers, the architects and school district created a high school that serves as a nationally recognized model for the use of technology in education.

Using examples from the technology industry, each student has a custom designed work station with its own high performance networked computer. The exposed data network wiring and distribution equipment celebrates the school’s technological infrastructure rather than hiding it. The glass walls distributed throughout the remodeled building’s open plan promotes a sense of community while maintaining acoustical privacy.

The campus is a U. S. Department of Education Demonstration site, a California Department of Education Tech Prep Development Site, was part of The Congressional Hearings on Education Reform and was a model for the California Digital High School legislation. Napa Tech has been featured by national media including CNN and NBC, and has been visited by educators from across the country. The campus serves as the model for replication grants from the Gates Foundation.