LAKE SAN MARCOS ---- An official with High Tech High Learning told a small group of business, academic and political leaders Thursday that their support is needed to help bring a nationally recognized charter school program to North County.

High Tech High's Mara Sanders presented the organization's plans to open a public high school and middle school charter program in Escondido to the San Diego North Economic Development Council during a meeting at the Lake San Marcos Resort.

"We need local sponsorships and a few million dollars to make this a reality," said Sanders, a Del Dios resident who was hired this summer to be High Tech High's special projects manager.

She said High Tech High wants to open a 500-student high school program and a 400-student middle school program in the Escondido area and that the North County campus is expected to cost about $16 million to build. The organization wants to decide on a site in the coming months, Sanders said.

The two schools would be on the same campus and serve the entire North County region. All students interested are eligible to attend the public schools, and students would be chosen by a random lottery, which ensures a diverse ethnic, geographic and socioeconomic student body.

Sanders said business leaders helped educators create the San Diego-based High Tech High charter program five years ago because they couldn't find enough qualified workers with high-tech skills.

High Tech High now has six charter schools located at a former naval training center on Point Loma, and the organization wants to build additional schools in Chula Vista and places as far away as Texas, Sanders said.

She said the organization's educational model provides a liberal arts education, but technology is used in all areas to engage students.

It's project-based education, and the school focuses on personalized learning, providing connections to the outside world and a rigorous academic program, she told the board members of the business organization.

All students must take the classes necessary to apply to the University of California system, and all students must complete an internship.

The program has had three graduating classes, and Sanders said every student has been accepted to college, including 75 percent who received admission to four-year programs.

"Those numbers seem unbelievable," said Paul O'Neal, a council member. "This will really help supply a quality work force for the area."

Sanders said 50 percent of High Tech High graduates are the first in their family to gain admission to college.

"Not every high school speaks to every student, and our traditional high schools don't necessarily appeal to the talent of every high school student," said Jan Jackson, who represents Cal State San Marcos. "I have long been a supporter of High Tech High and today renewed my enthusiasm."

To fund the new campus in North County, High Tech High has secured grants from several local and national educational foundations.

She said the organization had looked at the possibility of building the schools at the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park, but that arrangement did not work out and the organization is still searching for a site.

"We hope to reach out to the business community and form great partnerships," Sanders told the board members.

She said the organization needs between $2 million and $4 million in the coming months to help build the schools, and her call for support received a warm reception from board members of the business advocacy group.

"It's a great benefit to North San Diego County that they have plans to expand here," said board Chairman Chris Jennewein. "I think this is an opportunity for businesses to help share the way the youth in North County are educated."