Area Private Schools Offer Technology-Infused Top Notch Facilities
When seeking a school for our children, we all want talented, inspirational teachers, a smart and challenging curriculum and full extracurricular activities. But the ol’ school house — the buildings where are children spend most of their days — matters, too. Here, area private schools share details on their top-notch facilities and programs.
American Heritage School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
The school recently completed a million-dollar Engineering Facility, including two computerized classrooms and a lab equipped with Rapid Prototyping and Computerized Manufacturing stations, which are rarely available in a high school setting.
What makes it top notch?
The facility is used by the Heritage Pre-Engineering Program, which offers a rigorous four-year course in the fields of civil, mechanical, biomedical and digital electronics engineering. The course of study is certified by Project Lead The Way, a nonprofit organization and the nation’s leading provider of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs.
Offered is a rigorous curriculum that allows students to apply what they are learning in math and science class to real-life engineering and technology projects.
Which segment of your school’s population is it geared for?
Students in this program are required to fulfill a demanding internship schedule with professionals in their fields of study. For several years, students have worked to develop projects with engineers from Motorola. Students complete an abundance of practical work, which can result in applications for patents.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
In conjunction with college level course preparation, students are eligible to apply for college credits and transcripts through one of Project Lead The Way’s affiliate colleges and universities.
“It is a very hot field right now where there is a huge job market and universities are clamoring to create or improve upon their biomedical engineering programs,” said Dr. Doug Laurie, vice president of the school. “We provide that here. It is a whole set of coursework that students can take advantage of with an internship at the end of their 12th grade year.”
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
The program involves 20 to 30 students in the ninth through 12th grade. “It’s rigorous. It includes course work in medical terminology, bio tech, anatomy, introduction to engineering, top level physics, chemistry and biology,” Dr. Laurie said.
American Heritage School
12200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation; 954.472.0022; 6200 Linton Blvd., Delray Beach; 561.495.7272; ahschool.com
Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
Archbishop McCarthy embraces a mission of Innovation in Catholic Education; iCatholicEd is our main state-of-the-art facility.
What makes it top notch?
The flex classroom space has retractable glass walls creating varied learning spaces — one large space, five different areas or combinations as needed. The classroom furniture is designed for mobility and to transition easily for different configurations, types of instruction and collaboration. Apple TVs that may be used by students or teachers, a virtual wall comprised of 12 46-inch TVs, and iPads create a 21st century learning environment. The flooring is equipped with charging ports throughout for student use.
Share the details.
The facility is an 8,000-square-foot space built atop an existing structure and was built over the summer and ready for the start of this school year.
Which segment of your school’s population is it geared for?
iCatholicEd is open morning and afternoon for the general student population as a place to gather, read, study and collaborate. During class time, the room is used for blended virtual theology classes for juniors and seniors.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
The dynamic space is ideal for either groups or individual time. Teachers are present as guides and facilitators, and online collaboration tools such as discussion boards, podcasts, lesson posts and blogs are some of the ways students engage with the material.
The flexibility afforded by technology allows students to go off campus for community ministry service projects during the school day. The space creates the opportunity for students to research, plan, implement and share multimedia reflections on their projects. After school, the space serves many of our clubs and activities.
Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School
5451 S. Flamingo Road, Southwest Ranches; 954.434.8820; mccarthyhs.com
North Broward Preparatory School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
Our fast-paced, globally connected world demands graduates with the ability to create, innovate and design solutions to complex issues. At North Broward Preparatory School, we have added a new avenue to explore this type of work for our students, the NBPS Fab Lab. The notion of “digital fabrication,” or “bits to atoms” engineering design, has changed rapidly over the past two years. Today, it is not uncommon to see digital fabrication parts from artificial bone replacements to runway dresses. These developments are incredibly exciting and we can see the implications for our science, math and fine arts departments.
What makes it top notch?
The Fab Lab @ NBPS is a digital workshop equipped with a laser cutter, a vinyl cutter, a 3D printer, a vacuum former and a variety of tools and computer programs all aimed at allowing students to engage in cutting-edge scientific investigation, engineering projects or high concept art creations. In a new course, IB Design Technology, students will explore complex physics problems and develop solutions to these problems using Fab Lab technology. Students will design, tinker, prototype and build, but more importantly, learn to create and innovate at a very sophisticated level.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
The ability to conceive of a design solution, move from pencil to computer rendering, and then bring that rendering to life through Fab Lab technology, empowers students with creative confidence, develops empathy, and builds resilience. These technologies play an integral part in North Broward’s commitment to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) curriculum in this 21st century.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
Design Technology is being offered as part of North Broward Prep’s International Baccalaureate program. Similar Fab Labs are currently being employed around the world in places like MIT and Stanford. Students are using these technologies to design everything from solutions to complex physics problems to designing novel furniture.
North Broward Preparatory School
7600 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek; 954.247.0011; nbps.org
Pine Crest School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
Pine Crest School’s newest state-of-the-art facility is its LEED-certified Upper School Academic Center on the Fort Lauderdale campus.
What makes it top notch?
The design of Pine Crest’s Upper School Academic Center feeds off of a traditional strong institution model while providing a modern, ergonomic learning and development environment. The layout and furniture encourage multisensory teaching and learning and opportunities for interactive, 21st century learning environments.
Curriculum for 21st century learning calls for the development of students’ critical thinking, communication, creativity and collaboration skills. In Pine Crest’s Upper School facility, even areas outside of the classroom — such as the student union, outdoor nooks and hallways — are set up to provide learning areas for students to congregate and discuss their work.
Additional highlights include:
• The new PCTV studio is designed to give students a hands-on experience and real-world skills. Like a professional studio, PCTV is equipped with 12 Apple computers, editing equipment, an anchor desk, a green screen, specialized light and sound systems, and more.
• The Robert and Eugenie Friedman Institute for Civic Involvement (ICI) central hall is the anchor of the Academic Center and the home of Pine Crest’s center for service learning. The ICI includes a mid-size theater-style lecture hall and two collegiate-style Case Method seminar rooms — one tiered and one without varying levels. Case Method rooms mimic a courtroom and many very common classroom configurations in colleges and universities.
Share the details.
Pine Crest broke ground on its new $23 million Upper School Academic Center in May 2010, and it opened in August 2011. The building has three stories, including of an atrium, three adjoining buildings, and a central courtyard.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
Large classrooms provide options for teachers in designing and presenting engaging and creative lessons, and lead seamlessly to an adjacent learning space. Seminar tables and flexible furniture facilitate a dynamic and interactive learning environment for students.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
In August 2013, the Institute for Civic involvement hosted a symposium to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Details about the event, including links to videos, are available at http://www.pinecrest.edu/podium/default.aspx?t=161433&rc=0.
Pine Crest School
1501 N.E. 62nd St., Fort Lauderdale; 954.492.4100; 2700 St. Andrews Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-852-2800; pinecrest.edu
The Sagemont School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
In August 2014, The Sagemont School will open its final phase of the school, a Visual and Performing Arts Center to include a 150-seat black box theater, two large art rooms, and two acoustically enhanced soundproof music rooms
What makes it top notch?
The Sagemont School in Weston has always had an outstanding fine arts program. Students will now be able to take their talents to a higher level with a new Visual and Performing Arts Center located on the Upper School Campus. Construction for the 10,000 square foot building has begun.
Share the details.
A black box theater is an open and flexible performance space. It’s a large square room with black walls and a flat black floor. The black box will have moveable seating and adjustable lighting, which allow for flexibility in the staging of a concert, play, assembly, etc.
Which segment of your school’s population is it geared for?
Sagemont’s Upper School Campus has approximately 50 percent of its students involved in drama, music or art. The theater department has won numerous awards including the Cappie’s Best Play in Broward County for “Dracula.” Now with their own fine arts building, these students will be able to improve their craft even more.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
Doris Quintero, Assistant Principal at the Sagemont Upper School Campus, said, “Having a theater on campus opens avenues for curriculum development in this area. Students will be able to develop higher skill levels in technical design and processes in the areas of sets and props construction, lighting and sound. This technical aspect of theater allows the students who are interested in performing arts, but are not performers, to actively participate with a greater depth in the area they enjoy.”
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
Sagemont’s middle school and high school already offer many electives in music, art and drama. Knowing that the Visual and Performing Arts Center would soon become a reality, Principal Gayle Iacono added courses such as AP Music Theory and Rock Band. Once the facility is complete, the afterschool clubs in these areas of interest will have an opportunity to expand.
Although the building will be located on the Upper School Campus, the students at the elementary level will utilize the black box theater for their annual musical as well.
The Sagemont School
Upper School Campus: 2585 Glades Circle, Weston; Lower School Campus: 1570 Sagemont Way, Weston; 954.389.2454; campsagemont.com
St. Mark’s Episcopal School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
The school’s state of the art facility consists of a traditional Preschool House, a Lower School Campus and a Middle School Building with a Robotic and Engineering Lab, a Learning Resource Room, Technology Lab. Media Center and Dining Hall. Three playgrounds, outdoor courts, an athletic field and track compliment the latest addition of a state of the art gymnasium complex that includes a music facility with private soundproof rooms for individual music lessons, multipurpose rooms, offices, locker rooms and a stage for the annual musicals.
What makes it top notch?
The students learn how to model 3D objects such as hydraulic arms with Inventor, a powerful software program used by professional drafters and engineers whose output files can be sent to a 3D printer. Students also learn to optimize the design of a skimmer, which has an air scoop that helps the skimmer propel across the floor. Additionally, students learn how to write code using Robot C language to instruct their robots to execute several tasks.
Share the details.
St. Mark’s Episcopal School is an independent private school and an outreach of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. The ten acres campus is equipped with all the latest interactive technology and is situated along the charming Middle River.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
The students first worked on a project that uses an object running on a conveyor belt to activate a switch, which in turn activates a fan. Currently, they are writing code to program the movements of a clawbot mounted on wheels and gears and that can move an arm and claw to pick and release objects. Each of the robots designed by the students working in groups of four is different and has special features created by the students.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
The Robotics and Engineering Program uses the Project Lead the Way curriculum, which is now present in all 50 states of the country. In this class, students make connections between topics in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in ways that allow them to apply concepts to real-world situations.
St. Mark’s Episcopal School
1750 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.563.1241; saintmarks.com
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
Recently, St. Thomas Aquinas launched its Innovation Initiative, introducing a state-of-the-art Innovation Center. The adoption of 21st century educational technology platforms and innovative thought is the most recent shift in technology education for students, faculty and staff of St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The Innovation Center is the primary focus, at this time, of the Innovation Initiative.
What makes it top notch?
The Innovation Center is a million-dollar venture. The project, from plans to completion, took approximately nine months. The center officially opened to the students and public last November.
Share the details.
The facility spans 8,000 square feet, and brings to life collaborative learning, research, and distance learning. These various methods of learning are accomplished through the introduction of teleconferencing, virtual field trips, interactive displays, and digital curriculum initiatives.
Which segment of your school’s population is it geared for?
The Innovation Center provides a motivating environment for teachers, students and administrative leaders to adopt educational technology that will impact learning in the 21st century. The Innovation Center hosts five classrooms/technology labs, designed for collaborative learning and research across the curriculum. Teachers and students are afforded the opportunity to engage in the innovative and collaborative experience as the curriculum warrants.
How does it benefit those students?
The facility offers students state of the art technology and equipment that will assist teachers in providing the ideal learning environment for today’s tech savvy learner.
What advantages does it give students?
With the introduction of the Innovation Center and the Innovation Initiative at St. Thomas Aquinas, student responsibility for learning is enriched. Students will benefit from an atmosphere where futuristic thinking and learning engagement is prioritized. Information is presented in the most technological environment and accelerates student learning opportunities.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
The official opening of the facility and its virtual ribbon cutting ceremony incorporated CG elements, created in Autodesk Maya and integrated with high resolution, stills and video.
As a result of this Innovation Initiative, beginning with the Innovation Center opening, St. Thomas has aligned with Cisco Technologies and United Data Technologies. These relationships seek to insure that St. Thomas continues the trek in providing the most competitive learning environments for its students.
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
2801 S.W. 12th St., Fort Lauderdale; 954.581.0700; aquinas-sta.org
Tree of Life Preschool
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
Our infant room has the latest in high-tech with the MamaRoo bouncer with LCD display screen and is programmed with real movements such as ocean, car, kangaroo, tree swing and rocking. It also has a library of built-in nature sounds or you can use the MP3 hook up to play babies’ favorite music. We also have built-in changing tables on our counter tops with security belts for the safety of our infants.
For the three and four year olds, we have iPads and laptops, science labs with the latest in microscopes, fossils, light tables and tools to explore and learn about earth, nature and animals.
The preschool has four outdoor playgrounds plus a replica of the Miami Heat’s American Airlines Arena outdoor court.
Indoors, we have an activity area with a life-like tree with a tunnel; the idea was to create wonderland of fun where the kids love to come and learn.
What makes it top notch?
The school took two of the top early childhood curriculums and combined them to create one unique high learning curriculum. We also offer a full bilingual curriculum for those who request it. We also as a faith based school teach kids the importance of loving their peers, being respectful, being kind, not bullying and knowing that God loves them. We offer 100 percent organic lunches in a beautiful kids cafeteria.
The school features custom woodwork throughout, a glass etched art piece featured at the entrance of the school, a water filtration system, anti-bacterial flooring, water bottle fountain for parents, latest in high-tech camera surveillance and bullet proof entry doors throughout the school.
Share the details.
The school opened its doors three months ago. The 13,000-square-foot was built in the 1990s, but it has been gutted and remodeled the last two years at an approximate cost of $1.1 million.
How does it benefit those students? Students have the ability to be more creative and have more options to try new things and learn in new ways.
What advantages does it give students?
It enhances their ability to learn, it makes them feel at ease and at home in a friendly environment.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
Children use sign language, speak Spanish, take homework home and bring it back done.
Tree of Life Preschool
1250 S.W. 160th Ave., Weston; 954.440.0174; treeoflifeacademy.com
University School | Nova Southeastern University
What is your school’s main state of the art facility?
University School of Nova Southeastern University’s Lower School (educating students in prekindergarten through grade five).
What makes it top notch?
University School’s Lower School reflects design input from students, teachers and administrators. The result is a warm, inviting, and safe environment where state-of-the-art teaching takes center stage.
Visitors to the building are admitted through secured doors and are personally greeted by a receptionist and then signed in using a state of the art security system. The doors to each grade-level wing can only be opened by ID badge, so that we are aware of visitors and volunteers coming and going from our Lower School building.
The look, feel and flow of University School’s innovative classrooms facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and personalized learning while supporting executive functioning skills.
Smartboards and document cameras in all grade levels make lessons interactive and engaging. iPads are available in every classroom and are used to enhance learning skills and student creativity. Students also are given opportunities to work on digital photography and video production projects using state-of-the-art software and enjoy use of a state-of-the-art newsroom with professional soundboard, camera, and green screen equipment.
What year was the building built?
The 65,000 square foot building was finished and occupied for the first time in August 2009 at a cost of $27 million.
Which segment of your school’s population is it geared for?
Students in grades prekindergarten (age four by Sept. 1) through grade five.
How does it benefit those students? What advantages does it give students?
Facilitation of 21st century skills; supports creative thinking and personalized learning; — technology access allows students to think and learn on a global scale.
Our location on the Nova Southeastern University campus allows students and teachers to broaden their learning by working with NSU faculty and acts as venue for student practicums which keeps us on the cutting edge of a variety of disciplines (psychology, education, occupational therapy, speech/language). Our connection with Nova Southeastern University allows teachers to continue their education and therefore, more than 75 percent of our teachers hold masters and doctoral degrees.
Name a project or outcome that showcases this facility.
• Students as young as kindergarten recently participated in a videoconference with scientists at NASA and representatives from Smithsonian
• Problem based learning program facilitates 21st century skills
University School | Nova Southeastern University
3375 S.W. 75th Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954.262.7300; uschool.nova.edu