Tacoma Students Explore Local Issues and Opportunities Through Realize Tacoma Program

Last week, students from Annie Wright Schools and Tacoma Public Schools came together for Realize Tacoma, a no-cost, week-long residential program designed to connect students with their city through immersive, community-based learning.

A joint venture between Tacoma Public Schools, Chief Leschi, and AWS, Realize Tacoma is open to students entering Grades 10–12. The program has two central goals:

Over the course of the week, students took part in 40 field trips to sites ranging from animal shelters and farms to non-profits, businesses, and governmental organizations. At each stop, they explored different facets of Tacoma life, gaining insight into the complex issues and inspiring solutions shaping their city.

The program is consistently a highlight for students, many of whom engage with people, places, and perspectives they’ve never encountered before.

“I got to spend time with people who weren’t from my school while also learning so much about our community,” said Alice G., a rising Grade 11 student at AWS. “[Through this experience] I gained a lot of hope and perspective on our community. Everyone does care a lot, and there’s a lot of love in our community that you just need to go find.”

For others, the experience opened their eyes to the region’s housing issues.

“The first thing that came to my mind was visiting the Windemere Real Estate,” said Noah K., a rising Grade 11 student from Stadium High School. “They discussed and clarified a lot about redlining and discrimination in housing and how we should be involved in the fight against it.”

Programs like Realize Tacoma show the power of community engagement in education. Thank you to the many local organizations and individuals who opened their doors to these students, helping them learn, reflect, and imagine a better future for Tacoma.