In particular, members were concerned about the "digital divide" that resulted in low numbers of women and ethnic minority groups entering the fields of math, science, and engineering.

In late 1998 the group voted to start a charter school and engaged Larry Rosenstock, then President of Price Charities in San Diego, as the founding principal.

The founding group was clear about its intent: to create a school where students would be passionate about learning and would acquire the basic skills of work and citizenship.

Rosenstock, a former carpentry teacher, lawyer, and high school principal who had recently directed the U.S. Department of Education's New Urban High School project, brought a vision and a sense of the design principles by which this mission might be accomplished.

Rosenstock located a site, prepared the charter application, hired staff, and oversaw the development of the program, while Jacobs and the business community took the lead in addressing issues of financing and facilities development.