Microsoft co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates learned a lot from their courses at the academically rigorous Lakeside School in north Seattle.

But it was outside of classes, while fiddling around together with computers, that they gained much of the extensive knowledge that was so useful in their later success.

"They also became very entrepreneurial at a young age," reports Peter Berliner, program director for the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.

In that spirit, the Allen Family Foundation announced last week a $600,000 grant over three years to Aviation High School for implementation of a mentorship/internship program.

The program is designed to provide students with greater exposure to careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.

Aviation High, administered by the Highline School District, is temporarily housed at the Olympic site in Des Moines. Plans are underway for construction of a new school building across from Tukwila's Museum of Flight.

The school, which draws students from throughout the Puget Sound region, focuses on an aviation-related curriculum.

Allen Family Foundation grants to public schools are "very targeted on the development of new models of high schools," Berliner said.

Aviation High, now in its fourth year, is the most established of the new high schools receiving grants from the Allen Foundation, according to Berliner.

"The idea for us is that the best experience for students is not only strong academics but a chance for hands-on learning," he said.

"People learn the most when they are doing something that is real with a responsibility to get the job done and with high expectations."

Last week, the foundation also announced a $1.6 million grant to the Technology Access Foundation to start a new public secondary school known as the TAF Academy in Federal Way in the fall.

The Federal Way school is designed to promote academic achievement for all students, including low-income and minority youth.

And a $250,000 grant to the Pasco School District to complete planning of a science, technology, engineering and mathematics high school was also announced.

In addition, the Allen Foundation disclosed last week a $100,000 donation to the White Center Community and Development Association to develop a fundraising and financing plan for a "Strength of Place Initiative."

The association plans to buy up land for 300 affordable rental-housing units and 20,000 square-feet of commercial space in the White Center area before prices become too high.

"They want to retain small businesses and enable long-time residents to remain living in the area," said Marie Kurose, Allen Foundation senior program director.

Allen Family Foundation grants are highly competitive with the foundation receiving 1,200 inquiries per year while awarding 200 grants.

The foundation reviews and awards the grants twice a year. Eligible non-profits in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana should submit inquiry letters at least six weeks in advance of the foundation's Aug. 15 proposal deadline.

More information is available at www.pgafamilyfoundation.org.

About 70 percent of the grants have been awarded to Washington non-profits, according to foundation vice president Susan Coliton.

Paul Allen has donated more than $900 million through venture philanthropy, personal gifts, his company and the family foundation.

The foundation has an annual budget of $25-30 million to administer grants in four areas: arts and culture, education and youth, health and human services, and science and technology.