Lake Washington Technical Academy

Lake Washington Technical Academy offers eligible high school junior and senior students, ages 16 to 20, the opportunity to concurrently train for a career and earn a high school diploma. Lake Washington Technical Academy is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges and is a full-time special purpose high school program located on the campus of Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland, Washington. The program enrolls 300-350 students annually and annually has students from 32 regional school districts.

Students have access to most of the training programs and support services of LWIT. Eligible students are required to be enrolled full-time in a technical training program and general education classes to complete the high school diploma. Students have the opportunity to not only complete their high school diploma but also work towards a certificate or an Associate's degree. Students are responsible for their transportation to and from the high school program, located on the Kirkland campus of Lake Washington Institute of Technology.

Length of the school day depends on the technical program as the college offers morning, afternoon, evening and weekend classes. The average schedule is usually 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday - Friday. A $100.00 book and tool deposit is required at the time of enrollment. Books and tools are checked out to the student quarterly and are to be checked back in at the end of each quarter. All new students are required to pass a College Strategies course their first quarter.

Enrollment is limited and students must meet certain eligibility requirements. Interested students must first attend a High School Options (HOP) information session. Please see steps to enroll below.

What Types of programs are available? 

Most programs are available to high school students, although some highly selective admission programs such as Dental Hygiene and Licensed Practical Nursing have a separate application and admission process and may not be suitable for high school students. Other programs may have a minimum age or other prerequisites. Find out more about the programs of study at LWIT.

Special Education (IEP) Services

If you have an IEP, or 504 plan, we will want you to meet with LWIT Disability Support Services to discuss accommodations that are available in the college environment. It is important to determine if the kinds of services a student would need to support their success would be available to them at LWIT prior to entry. For more information, contact LWIT Disability Support Services by email or their website.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Have at least a 2.0 high school GPA. Students who do not meet this criteria may be considered for the Gateway to College option.

  • Obtain minimum qualifying scores on the COMPASS placement exam

  • Be at least 16 as of midnight August 31 for admission any time during the school year

  • Be no more than 20 as of midnight August 31  

  • Have completed 10th grade

  • Have not completed high school or high school graduation requirements (GED is ok)

  • NOTE: Students who have finished all high school graduation requirements EXCEPT WASL/HSPE, are not eligible

Continued Eligibility after admission

  • Must maintain a 2.0 GPA each quarter

  • Must make satisfactory progress towards high school requirements

  • Must meet attendance requirements

  • Must comply with Student Code of Conduct

How to Enroll

  1. Obtain a copy of your current high school transcript, unofficial is fine. Bring this with you as your entry ticket to the HOP. You will not be admitted to the HOP without your transcript and a parent/guardian.

  2. At the HOP you will be given:

    • An appointment time for taking the COMPASS test at the HOP session (plan to test the week following your HOP session)

    • An essay assignment

  3. Interested student and a parent (or guardian) attends a HOP (High School Options) session. HOP sessions are generally held each week at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays. You must have a reservation in order to attend. Please call our office at (425) 739-8107 to sign up. Please arrive on time (allow extra time to find parking and locate the room) no late admission.

  4. Prepare for your COMPASS placement test in Reading, Writing and Math. Find out more about the COMPASS. Students must have qualifying scores to be admitted to our programs. Please be sure to prepare before you take the test. Students who do not qualify in one area only can retest.

  5. Return to the High School Programs office (West Building, W210) with your completed essay and a photo ID at your designated COMPASS appointment time.

  6. If you have qualifying scores, you will be given a homework assignment and invited back on Friday for an interview. You must bring your completed essay with you to your interview.

Thank you for your interest in our program!

We invite you to review our Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have a question that is not included, please call us at (425) 739-8107.