Gibson Ek High School

What Gibson Ek High School does

Gibson Ek High School is a public choice high school operated by Issaquah School District 411 in Issaquah, Washington, serving approximately 200 students in grades 9-12. It operates on a project-based, competency-based learning model in which students demonstrate mastery of 20 core competencies aligned to Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards through self-directed projects, internships, and capstone work rather than through traditional letter grades and credit accumulation. The school uses Stanford University's Design Thinking process as its core pedagogical framework and is a member of the Big Picture Learning international network and the Mastery Transcript Consortium.

The school's core offerings include the Learning Through Internship (LTI) program, in which students work two days per week at 100+ regional partner organizations including NOAA, Seattle Rep, the City of Issaquah, and the Washington Black Legacy Institute; eight innovation spaces (3D printing, robotics, woodworking, music recording, science labs); Design and Inquiry Labs; and a two-year senior Capstone. Students track competency evidence in online portfolios and graduate with a Mastery Transcript that universities use to evaluate competency-based applicants. Supporting tools include Google Workspace, Canvas, ImBlaze, and IXL.

Gibson Ek is funded entirely through local, state, and federal tax revenues as a public school; no tuition is charged to district-resident students. Admissions are lottery-based, open to any 8th or 9th grade resident of the Issaquah School District, with applications opening in January and closing in March. The school adds approximately 20 new community partners annually, has grown enrollment from 182 students in 2022-23 to 205 in 2024-25, and operates with about 11 staff including Principal Tonja Reischl.

Name

Gibson Ek High School

Legal name

Gibson Ek High School

Website

https://gibsonek.isd411.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Gibson Ek High School is a public choice high school in the Issaquah School District serving ~200 students in grades 9-12 via project-based, competency-based learning, Stanford Design Thinking, and a two-day-per-week internship program with 100+ regional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Issaquah

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public School Funding (Tax-Supported): As a public school within Issaquah School District 411, Gibson Ek is funded through local, state, and federal tax revenues. No tuition is charged to district-resident students.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Gibson Ek High School is a public choice high school in the Issaquah School District (Washington) serving grades 9–12 through a project-based, competency-based learning model. The school delivers personalized education using the Stanford Design Thinking framework, integrates real-world Learning Through Internship (LTI) placements, and issues Mastery Transcripts in lieu of traditional GPAs. It operates as a tuition-free public secondary school within the district.

Product overview

Gibson Ek High School is a nationally recognized choice high school offering an innovative, project-based educational model. Rather than traditional classes and letter grades, students learn through self-directed projects framed by Stanford's Design Thinking Process. The core offerings include a Competency-Based Learning Model (20 core competencies), Learning Through Internship Program (2 days/week with professional mentors), Design Labs and Inquiry Labs, a Capstone Project for seniors, and access to WANIC career programs and Running Start college courses. Students track learning via a Student Dashboard and Learning Portfolios, graduating with a Mastery Transcript through the Mastery Transcript Consortium.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Competency-Based Learning Model
• Learning Through Internship (LTI) Program
• Design Thinking Curriculum
• Mastery Transcript

Quantifiable outcome

• 4-year graduation rate of 93% (Spring 2024), up from 87% (Spring 2023), targeting 95%
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNOAA hosts Gibson Ek students for internships, providing real-world science and environmental learning experiences in the field of oceanography, meteorology, and environmental science.
• Seattle RepcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeattle Repertory Theatre hosts students for internships in theatre arts, production, and arts administration, integrating the arts into project-based learning.
• Washington Black Legacy InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents intern with this organization archiving and digitizing documents, news stories, and photos from Seattle's Black community in the early 20th century for planned exhibits and video interviews.
• Village TheatercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVillage Theater hosts students for arts and theatre-related internships, providing exposure to performance and production arts.
• City of IssaquahcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Issaquah provides internship opportunities and hosts student projects. Students have created city flag design proposals and collaborated on sustainability initiatives with the city's Parks Department.
• Sammamish Animal SanctuaryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides animal care internships for students interested in veterinary science, animal welfare, and related fields.
• Eastside ConsultantsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides business and consulting internships for students exploring entrepreneurship and professional services.
• Friends of the Issaquah Salmon HatcherycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStudents intern with this organization and have contributed botanical art for native plant garden signage around the hatchery, and collaborated on field surveys of native and invasive plant species.
• The Rhapsody ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA youth-focused music nonprofit at King Street Station arts cohort. Two juniors repair and maintain instruments, assist with marketing and events, and develop their own culturally relevant music projects.
• Sound Foundations NWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTwo sophomores intern with this organization building tiny houses in SODO, gaining hands-on experience in construction and building trades.
• Issaquah Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA team of seniors, juniors, and a sophomore form the first Issaquah Chamber of Commerce video team, developing promotional videos for area businesses under the chamber president's guidance.
• Northwest Camera (Film Studio)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA student interested in acting and film interns at this Fremont film studio and equipment rental facility, assisting with local shoots and on-camera work.
• Seattle GriotcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA senior interned with Seattle Griot archiving and digitizing historical documents from Seattle's Black community, contributing to exhibits and video interviews with key community members.
• Trout UnlimitedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Gibson Ek during Design Labs to present real-world environmental challenges related to watershed and salmon habitat restoration.
• Mary's PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Gibson Ek during Design Labs to present real-world social challenges, engaging students in design thinking projects addressing homelessness and family support.
• Mountains to Sound GreenwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Gibson Ek during Design Labs on environmental sustainability projects in the regional greenway area.
• Issaquah History MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners with Gibson Ek during Design Labs on historical research and preservation projects related to the local community.
• Bellevue Botanical GardenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGibson Ek students designed and built an education kiosk for the Bellevue Botanical Garden as a design lab project. Teacher Steven Nelson led the design lab with students.
• Center for Wooden BoatsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides internships in maritime heritage, boat building, and nautical arts for students interested in woodworking and maritime fields.
• King County LibrariesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides library and archival internships for students interested in information science, research, and community literacy programs.
• Odgen Murphy Wallace (Law Firm)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides internships in legal professions for students exploring careers in law and public policy.
• Northwest Film ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides film and media arts internships for students interested in filmmaking, editing, and media production.
• Jack Straw Cultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides audio arts and recording internships for students in music, podcasting, and audio production.
• Sequoia ScientificminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides science and technology internships in environmental instrumentation for students interested in STEM fields.
• KidvantageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides retail and entrepreneurship internships for students exploring business and children's products.
• Made for Success PublishingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides publishing and media internships for students interested in writing, editing, and publishing careers.
• Honda KubotaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides mechanical and technical internships for students interested in automotive, equipment, and mechanical engineering fields.
• Big Picture LearningcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational educational organization that provides the framework, professional development, and network support for Gibson Ek's student-centered, project-based learning model. Gibson Ek is a leading innovator within this network.
• Mastery Transcript ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization providing the portfolio-based narrative transcript platform. Gibson Ek helps pilot this system, which is used by universities worldwide to evaluate competency-based school applicants.
• The Canopy ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNominated by Big Picture Learning and Mastery Transcript Consortium to this national database of 'innovative learning environments'.
• WANIC (Washington Network for Innovative Careers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunded by Eastside school districts, WANIC offers career-focused half-day programs in automotive, aviation, building trades, medical, tech, digital art, firefighting, and culinary arts for juniors and seniors as an alternative to internship.
• Running Start (Bellevue College, CWU, Renton Technical College)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJuniors and seniors can take community or technical college courses at Bellevue College, Central Washington University Extension Campus, or Renton Technical College to earn college credit alongside their Gibson Ek program.
• Issaquah Schools FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe foundation supports Gibson Ek students through the Tools4School program, providing school supplies and backpacks to students in need, and supports school community events.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• High Tech High: San Diego-based network of public charter high schools using project-based, interdisciplinary learning with student-led exhibitions. Closely aligned with Gibson Ek's project-based, competency-evaluated model and small-school advisory structure.
• Summit Public Schools: Bay Area network of public schools using personalized learning plans, project-based curriculum, and mentorship. Comparable in serving as an innovative public school model focused on competency-based outcomes and college readiness.
• Envision Schools: Bay Area public charter school network emphasizing portfolio-based assessment, project-based learning, and internships. Directly comparable to Gibson Ek's competency-based graduation pathway model.
• Crosstown High: Memphis public high school using project-based learning and competency assessment. Closely mirrors Gibson Ek's model with multi-disciplinary projects and real-world problem solving at the center of the curriculum.

Emerging players

• Khan Lab School: Independent school in Mountain View, CA built on mastery-based, mixed-age learning. Comparable in its competency-based, portfolio-driven approach, though operated as a private lab school rather than public choice.

Others

• Big Picture Learning: National network organization whose framework underpins Gibson Ek's model. Other BPL network schools (e.g., The Met High School in Providence, RI) operate similarly structured schools with internship-centered learning.
• Mastery Transcript Consortium: National organization whose portfolio-based narrative transcript system Gibson Ek uses. Comparable member schools (e.g., various Big Picture Learning schools, other competency-based schools) share the same transcript paradigm.
• XQ America Super Schools: National initiative funding innovative high school redesigns. XQ schools share Gibson Ek's emphasis on project-based learning, real-world relevance, and competency assessment over traditional grades.

Regional players

• Linked Learning Schools: Network of high schools integrating rigorous academics with career-themed pathways and real-world work-based learning. Comparable to Gibson Ek's internship-anchored model though broader in scope and geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IssaquahSchools
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCfh4P5-N2FEu4Rg5zU5h_oA
• Facebookfacebook.com/IssaquahSchools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/gibsonek
• Instagraminstagram.com/issaquahschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Gibson Ek High School