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Maritime High School
615 S 200th Street Des Moines, WA 98198

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Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Maritime High School
615 S 200th St Des Moines, WA 98198

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11th Grade Pathways

Pathway 1: Vessel Operations, Design, and Maintenance

Our partnership with Seattle Maritime Academy (SMA) could be your ticket to high-paying employment. Students will have the opportunity to enroll with the Seattle Maritime Academy in SMA’s Marine Engineering Technology Program, where they will receive college credits and maritime licensing credentials. These qualifications will allow students to step directly into the workforce or pursue further post-secondary pathways in diesel mechanics, engine repair, electrical systems and vessel operations at maritime colleges.

Enrollment through Running Start will cover basic tuition, and the Northwest Maritime Center will cover additional fees. Washington State Ferries is providing the funds for credentialing. We anticipate completing a formal agreement with Seattle Maritime Academy by June 15. This opportunity will be available for up to 18 students.

During their junior year, students will learn from the Seattle Maritime Academy two days a week and the Maritime High School campus three days a week. When students graduate from this two-year sequence of coursework, they will be on track to earn their Qualified Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) license following a paid summer internship. The starting salary for QMEDs at Washington State Ferries is between $70-80k annually. 

Pathway 2: Marine Resources and Research  

In this pathway, we’ll dive deep into the physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects of the marine environment. The program combines practical skills such as seamanship, navigation, marine safety, marine biology and oceanography. You’ll engage in hands-on fisheries management and aquaculture studies, develop and fabricate underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), and learn about the local ocean and marine ecosystems to develop a foundation for college studies and employment in the industry. 

This program will eventually allow students access to college-level courses like Marine Biology and Fisheries Management through the University of Washington and the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. Topics include oceanography, ecology, physiology, behavior, conservation, fisheries, exploration and activism.

Hands-on learning experiences will be provided through the Marine Science Tech Knowledge Lab at Seahurst Beach in partnership with Puget Sound Skills Center (PSSC). Students will participate in the morning session at PSSC five days a week and return to MHS in the afternoons. 

School to Job Pipeline

The maritime industry is rapidly growing and provides many employment opportunities. The maritime industry requires skilled and credentialed individuals to fill job vacancies, and a more skilled workforce is needed to meet job demands. By providing Maritime High School students with opportunities to acquire both college credit and maritime industry credentials, we can help empower our students to gain skills and competencies to immediately fill workforce shortages.

If you have any questions and concerns please contact the Maritime HS office at (206)631-7400 or email us at maritime@highlineschools.org.