Microsoft selects Downey High as a ‘showcase school’
DOWNEY – Downey High School (DHS) was selected by Microsoft as a 2014-15 Microsoft Showcase School for its “excellence in transforming its learning environment to deliver more personalized education to students, using mobile and cloud technology to better prepare students for success in the workplace.” Downey High School joins an exclusive community of over 150 premier schools from around the world, recognized to celebrate their pioneering efforts and innovation in rethinking teaching, learning and assessment in order to drive deep 21st century competencies.
Downey High School has moved ahead with aggressive expansion of its Career Technical Education (CTE) engineering programs, including automotive technician, 3-D product design, a Project Lead the Way engineering class, a robotics lab and a technology engineering class.
On Sept. 24, a new building was opened that houses 27 new technology-equipped classrooms; better preparing students for college and careers, particularly in the fields of science, technology and engineering.
“Being selected as a Microsoft Showcase School is an amazing honor and recognition of the passion our teachers and staff have for creating the best learning environments possible,” said Tom Houts, principal at Downey High. “We look forward to sharing our experiences with other schools in our community and the world to continue finding innovative ways to equip our students with the proper tools needed for success inside and outside of the classroom.”
As a Showcase School, Downey High will work closely with Microsoft to lead innovation in education and communicate a vision for education enabled by technology through the hosting and mentoring of other schools in the community on transformational educational practices.
“Microsoft Showcase Schools are inspiring examples of how schools are using mobile-first, cloud-first technology to increase students’ productivity and develop the skills needed in the workplace,” said Anthony Salcito, vice president, Worldwide Education, Microsoft Corp. “With an innovative use of technology, these schools are transforming learning environments and delivering more personalized education to students, allowing them to do more and achieve more.”
As well as being recognized on a global scale for their innovative approach to educating tomorrow’s workforce, Showcase Schools also receive the following benefits from Microsoft as part of the program:
•Collaboration with an international group of thought leaders
•Complimentary Microsoft IT Academy membership
•Special pricing on SteelCase Education learning classroom furniture
•Eligibility to have at least two High School Student Ambassadors (secondary/high schools only)
•Expert Educators on staff to help drive innovation and to support staff, peers and students
•Access to professional development for Educators within their school
•Invitations to Regional Global Forums and BETT (London or Singapore)
•Monthly community webinars and Yammer group discussion, exclusive to Showcase Schools
•Email signature and welcome kit
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Published: Nov. 13, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 31