Technology at ASH —

Empowered Learners

Image of classroom with student at interactive board

We take pride in a rich history of educational technology at Academy of the Sacred Heart with a focus on developmentally appropriate tools that empower our students. Starting with our Primary School students, we thoughtfully introduce technology use without losing sight of the need to develop critical social and collaborative skills. The utilization of iPads with touch and stylus capabilities helps us reach established student goals at this age level.

In Lower School, each student has access to his/her own Chromebook computer to utilize during the day. In addition, a collaborative computing space is normally available; however, due to COVID-19, its use is temporarily suspended. Our middle school students are afforded a gentle transition to a true one-to-one setting with the issuing of resilient, school-owned devices for students in Grades 5 and 6. Then, in Grades 7 and 8, students have the greater responsibility of more powerful convertible laptop/tablet computers which families purchase. 

Our Upper School students are in a well-established one-to-one program utilizing our most powerful convertible laptop/tablet computers. These tools impact all 11 department areas and, as with the other learning communities, the goal is not to use the technology in every class period of every day. Instead, educators determine when and where the technology is most beneficially used.

Four unique aspects of our one-to-one program:

  • It focuses on consistency in the classroom with little downtime for students.
  • All student computer questions and repairs are handled by our onsite IT Staff.
  • Faculty commit themselves to a minimum of 45 hours of professional development when first issued a computer, with most faculty members completing many more hours.
  • All devices in Grades 5-12 give students the flexibility to write on the screen with a stylus or type with a keyboard. In curricular areas where equations, formulas, and drawings are essential, a stylus is a better choice over a keyboard.