High Tech Middle Chula Vista (HTMCV) opened its doors in September 2011 as the fourth project-based learning middle school in the High Tech High system. High Tech High is a family of schools in San Diego County, built on the design principles of personalization, adult-world connection, teacher as designer and a common intellectual mission. HTMCV shares a beautiful campus with High Tech Elementary (HTe) and High Tech High Chula Vista (HTHCV), located three miles from the US/Mexico border. For more information about the school, you can visit www.hightechhigh.org. For more information about the first year experience of fifty-five amazing, founding eighth graders of HTMCV, you will find their stories (vignettes and photos) within the pages of this book.