Rosehill Elementary School

Rosehill encourages its students to set big goals and explore what makes them curious. The implementation of technology coincided with a movement at Rosehill for teachers to encourage student-driven learning. Each student receives an iPad, each teacher is provided an iPad and a MacBook, and each classroom has Apple TV and a large screen. Collaborative spaces also have monitors and Apple TV; these are where community members come to present and where students use video chats to talk with experts. Often, students delve into a topic of interest, examine a real-world problem they want to try to solve, or come up with an idea to extend a lesson. For example, two third-graders wanted to help prevent skin cancer. They created a well-researched and award-winning PSA about skin cancer prevention. Since full implementation of using digital devices, students have received multiple local, regional, and national recognitions. They've made gains in the classroom, and the school has incorporated new programs, made possible with the technology. Dozens of students arrive early on Friday mornings to attend Coding Club, when students program robots, practice coding a mock website, work with Swift Playgrounds, or play games that help them understand coding concepts. In the 2016-17 school year, the school set a goal to have all teachers take part in the Apple Teacher program, giving them access to a world of ideas from individuals using the same resources.