What are Charter Schools doing this Fall?
Smart Solutions was been busy this summer and fall with network infrastructure projects in a number of charter schools in Michigan, New York, and Ohio. Here’s a partial list:
Advanced Technology Academy, Dearborn, MI
– new network infrastructure at its main building and new fieldhouse, encompassing network drops, Cisco core and edge switches, Cisco wireless networking, and Polycom videoconferencing.
Richard Allen Schools, Dayton, OH –
technology refit of several downtown locations, comprising of new network drops and wireless networking.
Randolph Academy, Hopevale Campus (Buffalo, NY) – replacement and upgrade of network wiring.
A Plus Arts Academy, Columbus, OH –
new network infrastructure consisting of network drops, HP network servers and HP switches, and an Allworx VOIP system.
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Advanced Technology Academy’s Cutting Edge Videoconferencing Plans
Advanced Technology Academy (ATA) in Dearborn, Michigan, in conjunction with Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS),
has developed plans to act as “hub” for a distance learning initiative engaging a wide range of K-12, higher education, and industry stakeholders. The initiative is slated to kick off in the Fall of 2011. Smart Solutions has been selected to provide Polycom videoconferencing
products and services, funded through E-rate.
Currently, ATA provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for students in grades K-12 at its Dearborn location. Using a curriculum developed by Ford PAS, content is divided into separate educational units or modules, each covering a different STEM topic. STEM modules are taught to students during the school year, and emphasize hands-on activities to engage students.
Beginning this fall, STEM modules will not only be taught live, but they will be offered via a combination of live videoconferences and recorded sessions, both shared over the Internet. FORD PAS schools around the country, as well as public and charter schools in the greater Detroit area,
will participate.
Advanced Technology Academy is employing a variety of videoconferencing and streaming video technologies to implement the distance learning initiative. There will be two “permanent” Polycom videoconferencing systems as well as six mobile Polycom systems, all housed in the new technology wing at the school. It is anticipated
that all systems will be in use every day to record lessons and demonstrations and for live videoconferencing. Polycom video components for recording, archiving, and streaming video content will be utilized for accessing content either from within ATA or from outside.
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14 Cristo Rey High Schools use E-rate to build their Networks
Cristo Rey Network is a group of high schools located throughout the country in major metropolitan areas. It provides a unique and innovative “work-study” experience for at risk, underprivileged youth. The Cristo Rey approach has been extremely successful -- nationwide, it has a graduation rate of 88% (2009) and a college acceptance rate of 100% (2010).
A major contributor to the success of Cristo Rey Network has been technology – and Erate has been fundamental in providing Cristo Rey schools with technology.
The following schools required major infrastructure projects ranging from $50,000 to over $400,000, funded by E-rate, and installed by Smart Solutions.
*Cristo Rey Jesuit High School - Baltimore, MD
*Cristo Rey Jesuit High School – Chicago, Illinois
*St Martin de Porres High School – Cleveland, OH
*Arrupe Jesuit High School - Denver, Colorado
*Providence Cristo Rey High School – Indianapolis, IN
*Cristo Rey Kansas City High School – Kansas City, MO
*Notre Dame High School – Lawrence, Mass
*St Peter Claver HS – Omaha, Nebraska
*Cristo Rey New York High School – New York, NY
*De La Salle High School - Portland, Oregon
*Cristo Rey Sacramento High School - Sacramento, California
*San Miguel High School- Tucson, Arizona
*Don Bosco High School – Washington, DC
*St. Martin de Porres High School – Waukegan, Illinois