Applying to Delta

Delta begins the recruitment process each year in December.  We usually send teams out to visit each of the RSD, KSD, and PSD middle schools in December, January, or early February.  School visits this year are tentative based on current restrictions and health guidelines.  If we do not visit in-person we will plan to set up virtual visits and/or Q&A sessions.

As well, we have two informational sessions for families held at Delta (again, pending current restrictions).  The sessions will be held on 2/1 and 2/3 at 6:30 pm.  If not able to be held in person we will host virtual sessions for families.  

Delta is a small, STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) high school serving students living within the boundaries of the Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland school districts.  Check out our "About Our School" page for more info!

Well, yes and no!  We are a STEM-focused school and, as such, attempt to focus on STEM connections throughout our course of study.  We also have very strong programs in English, Spanish, and History.  In fact, we annually participate in National History Day competitions and send students to regional, state, and national competitions.  Two years ago, Delta won the top award for Washington State in the NHD high school competition and one of our teachers (congrats, Mr. Blacketer!) won the WA State NHD teacher of the year. Pretty awesome, right? 

Good questions!
(1) Students must live within the boundaries of one of our three partner districts to apply to Delta High School.
(2) If you live in one of our districts but are homeschooled or attend a private or virtual school you may apply to Delta!  If you are accepted we will request that you enroll in your boundary school district and then we will transfer your records to our system.  You will technically be enrolled at your local high school but will complete your high school program at Delta.  Your HS diploma will be from your home high school, but your transcripts will show that you completed your high school through the Delta STEM program.

Delta is a four-year STEM program and it is our expectation that students enter Delta with the intention of completing the four years at our school.  There are limited seats and if you leave we are not able to pass your seat to another student.
However, by accepting a seat at Delta we only require that students commit to one year at a time.  The transition to high school is challenging regardless of where you attend and by committing to one full year we believe this will give you the best chance at a successful HS transition.  At the end of each year students are asked to sign a one year commitment contract for the following year. 

Schedules for the two schools (Tri-Tech and Delta) do not work in conjunction with one another, so the two schools cannot be attended at the same time.  However, many Delta students do choose to take part in Tri-Tech summer courses and those credits are transferrable to Delta.

The answer to this question has always been "no" in the past.  However, Delta offers a significant number of College in the High School (CiHS) courses (through Central Washington University) each year to students in grades 10, 11, and 12.  Please see our College in the High School page for more detailed information.
We have started a pilot program, however, with a select group of qualifying juniors (based on math placement and successful completion of CiHS courses in 10th grade) that attend Delta for 80% of their program (4 classes) and Columbia Basin College (CBC) for the remainder (1 class). There are very specific required courses at both Delta and CBC which will allow these students to graduate from Delta and also earn an AA degree from CBC at the same time.  This is only a pilot program and we also cannot guarantee it will be available every year, as much depends on the availability of qualified Delta teachers to teach CiHS courses and also that students meet minimum testing requirements to be able to enroll in all the necessary CiHS courses (requirements are set by CWU).

Only students currently in 8th grade during the 2021-2022 school year may apply for admission to Delta for the 2022-2023 school year.

If you are a current 9th grade student and would like to be considered for entry into 10th grade, please contact the principal (mike.johnson@thedeltahighschool.com) and let him know of your interest.  We can consider adding a few students to start in 10th grade, but only if we have space available and if we are able to build you a schedule that works based on the coursework you took in 9th grade.

Good question!

Delta students are still technically students at their home (boundary) high school! As such, they can get an ASB, attend dances and other events, and participate in after-school activities like Band and Sports.  We have a large number of our students that participate in activities at their home high school each year.

However, this is a big commitment.  Delta lets out at the end of the day about 30 minutes after most of our other area high schools.  Busses transport you back to your schools, if needed, but you will be arriving at practices fairly late.  Coaches at all of our area schools understand this and have been very supportive of Delta students.  To have the best opportunity to get to practices on time we recommend students drive themselves, parents pick up their student and transport to the home high school, or younger students can find an older (driving age) student to help.