Raisbeck Engineering, James and Sherry Raisbeck and their foundation have pledged $4 million to build new facilities and relocate the Seattle Aviation High School, now renamed Raisbeck Aviation High School, to the west wing of Seattle's Museum of Flight. The new location boasts state of the art classrooms, advanced technology labs and the backdrop of Boeing Field and the many Museum historic airplanes to stimulate young minds to achieve their visions in aviation and aerospace. Over 200 aviation businesses are located near the Museum of Flight, on Boeing Field in Seattle.
Raisbeck received a standing ovation from the crowd when his private donation was unveiled. His speech, primarily focused on 'miracles can happen,' spoke to industry leaders, the community and the students in attendance.
Of the support of Aviation High School, Mr. Raisbeck said, “Through the combined efforts of many leaders in education and aviation, Aviation High School has accomplished unprecedented moves forward in the field of technical education. Their new home on the campus of the Museum Of Flight will add to the prestige and feeling of accomplishment each student already enjoys. The technical world needs the graduates of this High School to form the basis for future aviation experts in order for the United States to maintain its lead in advancing the application of advanced and ever more complex technologies. By concentrating on the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Aviation High School is accomplishing what others can only dream about. Sherry is an educator. I am an engineer. We have both worked hard to achieve the means to help here, and we are proud and humbled to do so.”
Aside from the donation, he also announced plans to have student Sebastian Hill, on-track to graduation in the spring of 2009, join Raisbeck Engineering as a summer engineering intern.
“I hope this will set the tone and example of how these 200 aviation businesses will participate in this movement,” he ended.
Washington-native and former astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, CEO of the Museum of Flight, has partnered with Raisbeck Aviation High School to help “grand ideas come together.”
State Superintendant of Public Instruction Randy Dorn agreed that “quality, innovation and efficiency are what education in the 21 century is all about.”
The school's CEO/Principal, Reba Gilman, commented, “Leaders assist to develop future leaders to propel America into a global competitor. The aviation high school's mission is to address a state and national crisis in science, technology, engineering and math, which is also referred to as stem education.” Gilman closed by saying, “Thank you, James and Sherry Raisbeck. Your investment will be worth it.”
Raisbeck Aviation High School provides a high level technical engagement and learning facility, and is now in its fifth year of operation. The school has transitioned with a solid track record. Of the inaugural graduating class of 2008, 94 percent of graduates met or exceeded college level standards, and $1 million in scholarships was awarded to the 72 graduates.
James and Sherry Raisbeck through their Foundation, have over the years, given multi-million dollar grants each to The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institute, Pacific Northwest Ballet, The Seattle Opera, Cornish College of the Arts, Purdue University and United Way. Also active in the education community, Raisbeck has established the Raisbeck Engineering Distinguished Lecture Series at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. In 2007, the Raisbeck's received the Seattle-King County First Citizens Award to honor their philanthropy and community involvement.

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