Henrietta lacks Health and Bioscience High School (HeLa High)
February 2012
Project Overview
Evergreen Public Schools is building a health and bioscience high school at the southwest corner of NE 92nd Avenue and NE 9th Street near Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center. This magnet high school will give students hands-on experience for a 21st century career in biosciences and healthcare.
9105 NE 9th Street
Vancouver, WA 98664
Total estimated construction costs
$23.7 million
Project funding sources
$17.4 million will come from federal stimulus-backed construction bonds, with the rest provided by state funding and the proceeds from previous land sales. Evergreen Public Schools will fund operations and maintenance.
Estimated number of students
The academy will accommodate 500 students.
Curriculum focus
A biosciences and healthcare curriculum that includes extensive partnerships with Peacehealth Southwest Medical Center and others to provide opportunities for hands-on learning.
Building size
Three-story structure with 60,000 square feet for classrooms, offices, and other uses. An additional 20,000 square feet may be added later if needed.
Parking and transportation
Students will be transported to the school from their home high schools by shuttle bus, reducing the need for onsite parking to approximately 70-80 spaces.
Timeframe
Construction began in summer 2011 and will be completed by the summer of 2013.
Project need and benefits
- The Henrietta Lacks Health and Bioscience High School is intended to prepare local students for high-demand, family-wage jobs in the fastest growing industry in the United States.
- The healthcare industry provided 14.3 million jobs in 2007 and is projected to general 3.2 million new jobs between 2008 and 2018 (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics).
- People 65 and older, who represented 12.8 percent of the US population in 2008, will represent 19 percent of the population by 2030.
- HeLa High School will train healthcare personnel to meet the needs of local residents.
For more information
Samara Gilroy-Hicks | (360) 604-4035 | samara.gilroyhicks@evergreenps.org | www.helahigh.com