ATTEND MARITIME HIGH SCHOOL

615 S 200th St, Des Moines, WA | 206-631-7400 | Maritime High School Website

The Maritime High School Grand Opening Celebration is November 9.
Click here for details and to RSVP

Student-Centered | Equity-Driven | Maritime-Focused

The application window for the 2024-25 school year is now open. Learn more and apply on the Maritime High School website.

Learn More & Apply

For speaking engagements, please contact Angela Hewitson at angela@nwmaritime.org.

What is Maritime High School?

Maritime High School (MHS) is an innovative public school based in Des Moines, WA, that uses hands-on, project-based learning and STEM education to inspire student interest in maritime careers, marine science, and the environment. Classroom time is supplemented with frequent fieldwork experiences and boat-based learning. By graduation, students have the skills to launch directly into a maritime career or continue studying at college.

MHS is designed for students who have an interest in anything connected to the sea, and it is open to students across the region! Inclusive programs, policies, and practices ensure that quality education and maritime career opportunities are accessible to all, while focused efforts are made to recruit and empower students who are under-represented in maritime and ocean science careers.

Why Students Love Maritime High School

Learn more about admissions

The Student Learning Experience

The schedule at Maritime High School is designed for deep learning experiences. Students participate in regular fieldwork experiences and engage in projects with industry and community partners. Time is also spent on campus in a classroom setting, and there may also be days that students learn from home.

In the 9th and 10th grades, most learning takes place as a cohort as students explore the vast opportunities in the maritime and environmental sectors. In the 11th and 12th grades, students focus on specialty areas, such as marine construction, vessel operations, or marine research and resources, and they work towards earning an industry certification for entry into a job or internship. At the same time, they will also engage in rigorous college preparatory content through the program to strengthen their readiness for learning in college.

Why Maritime?

Over 800 maritime businesses in King County alone provide 19,500 jobs that pay on average $82,800 per year, substantially better on average than other state industries. The maritime industry projects a significant shortage of mariners as the sector continues to grow an average of 6.4% a year.

Maritime careers include:
• Working onboard boats
• Cargo handling & logistics
• Fishing & seafood processing
• Fabricating & repairing vessels
• Military & Federal positions
• Marine science & research
• and many more!

Visit the Maritime High School Website

"I didn't know Maritime High School would be this hands-on!"
—Inaugural Student of Maritime High School

Through project-based learning, Maritime High School students learn life skills that will help them achieve their dreams.

COLLABORATION

CREATIVITY

CRITICAL THINKING

COURAGE

RESILIENCE

TECHNICAL SKILLS

“Our aim is not to just meet students where they are, but where they dream of being.”
—Tremain Holloway, Inaugural Principal

Meet the Maritime High School partner organizations

Maritime High School is a collaborative project of Highline Public Schools, Northwest Maritime Center, Port of Seattle, and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, with many community and industry partners engaged to support the students.

Highline Public Schools
Highline Public Schools serves more than 18,000 students grades K-12, and encompasses the communities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center in Washington state. Highline is committed to equity in education, high expectations for all, and partnering with families and the community to ensure all children graduate ready for the future they choose.

Northwest Maritime Center
The mission of the NWMC is to engage and educate people of all generations in traditional and contemporary maritime life, in a spirit of adventure and discovery. We do it in service to our community and maritime industry, but mostly because regardless of the subject, the sea is the most powerful teacher we know.

Duwamish River Community Coalition
DRCC elevates the voice of those impacted by the Duwamish River pollution and other environmental injustices to advocate for a clean, healthy, and equitable environment for people and wildlife. They promote placekeeping and prioritize community capacity and empowerment.

Port of Seattle
Founded in 1911 by a vote of the people as a special purpose government, the Port of Seattle's mission is to promote economic opportunities and quality of life in the region by advancing trade, travel, commerce and job creation in an equitable, accountable and environmentally responsible manner.

This is our moment to create positive regional change through powerful maritime experiences.

If you're excited about the Maritime High School and interested in supporting the school, contact Angela Hewitson at angela@nwmaritime.org.

SUPPORT MARITIME HIGH SCHOOL