Maple Valley High School is part of Tahoma School District's plan to provide an education to all students who wish to complete high school. It is an alternative program designed to help students who are at risk of leaving the educational system without earning a diploma.

Maple Valley High School began in September 1987 with 30 students, one teacher, and an instructional assistant. After five months, 15 additional students and a second teacher were added. Today the program as been expanded to include 75-85 students.

Maple Valley High School is housed in three portable buildings on the grounds of the historic "Maple Valley Grade School." It graduated its 100th student within the first five years and now sees between 17 and 30 students earn their diplomas each year.

Maple Valley High School staff believes that positive self-esteem in students provides the foundation for becoming productive citizens who take pride in themselves, their community, and the work around them. Many students come to MVHS as discouraged learners who have given up on completing their education. The staff works to reverse that process by creating a climate of mutual respect, tolerance, and individual responsibility. The staff accepts students for who they are as they come into a new school setting. Past behaviors and experiences with school are not important. Students are invited to let go of attitudes and behaviors that may have kept them from being successful. Maple Valley High School's philosophy is to accept the student where they are today and move ahead.