As part the Academy Support for Programs in Search of Excellence Academy (ASPIRE) initiative, NAF hosted Design Studios in four locations around the country — New York City, Apex, NC, Waco, TX and Boston, MA. These working sessions focused on key strategies and design principles in place at each of the host sites; topics included: personalization, partnerships, ELL teaching strategies, academy development and integrated instruction. Organized around inquiry, workshop and observation activities, each two day session brought together students, teachers and administrators to explore key issues and promising practices related to effective small-learning-community development and exemplary academies. The materials available here share many of the key ideas and experiences presented by the host schools to Design Studio participants.
A video introduction from Patti Smith, NAF’s director of Network Services, presenting the goals of the Design Studio workshop model. Watch and listen to learn about the experience of a Design Studio as an inquiry process and tool for supporting effective workgroup activities.
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A highlight video documenting the NYC Design Studio. Watch this short film for a view of the presentations, modeling, collaboration, and reflection that took place at the Bronx School of Law & Finance and Manhattan Bridges High School in October 2007.
Coming soon
Supporting materials for the Design Studio workshop model
Creating a Learning Culture
Bronx School of Law & Finance
The Bronx School of Law & Finance graduated its first class in the spring of 2007. One of 50 new small high schools opened in NYC since 2001, the program is a model academy with 100 students per grade and a maximum capacity of 400. The Bronx School of Law & Finance is organized around three core design principles: personalization, academic integration, and high expectations for all students.
First Graduating Class: Student Reflections
An end-of-year digital storytelling project for a group of 17 seniors commenting on their experiences at the Bronx School of Law & Finance.
A video introduction from Evan Schwartz and Jessica Goring, the Principal and AP at Bronx School of Law & Finance.
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Academy Development: a case study video documenting some of the Bronx School of Law & Finance’s key best practices, including Advisory, Curricular Integration, Internships, and Personalization.
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Design Studio Support Materials. Download some of the Bronx School of Law & Finance’s design documents and program development materials.
Teaching Strategies for ELL
Manhattan Bridges High School
One of a few small New York City high schools that offer a transitional bilingual program for Spanish-language speakers, Manhattan Bridges serves a growing population of students who have been in the United States for less than three years. Since opening in 2003, Bridges has partnered with the National Academy Foundation in its efforts to provide the core tenets of the NAF AOIT model: personalization, integration of an engaging technology curriculum, and strong community partnerships to support learning for a unique group of students.
Identity Projects and School Clubs: A Digital Storytelling Project for ELLs
View examples of the students work from the digital storytelling project Download Leslie Pulé's teacher reflection, sample exercise, and project rubric
A video introduction from Mirza Sánchez-Medina and Louie Pacelli, the Principal and AP for Teaching and Learning at Manhattan Bridges High School.
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Visual Literacy & ELL: an interview with Instructor Leslie Pulé documenting his use of digital storytelling in the teaching of ELLs.
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Design Studio support from the Manhattan Bridges High School.
Coming soonInterdisciplinary Instruction
Apex High School
Apex High School began its Academy of Information Technology (AOIT) in the fall of 2001. May of 2005 saw the successful graduation of 58 students from that first class. Over 90% of these students have continued their education at post-secondary institutions.
The Academy of Information Technology provides students with a rigorous academic curriculum, while exposing them to the varied career paths and opportunities available in the information technology industry. Students engage in a rigorous, project-based learning curriculum focused on providing transferable skills and exposure to the ever-growing IT field.
Apex AOIT: Student Reflections
A digital storytelling project with six AOIT students commenting on their Academy experiences, from their teachers, to their classroom work with integrated projects, to their internships.
A video introduction from Julie Oster, the Director of the Academy of Information Technology.
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Integrated Learning: A Case Study documenting some of the Bronx School of Law & Finance’s key best practices, including Advisory, Curricular Integration, Internships, and Personalization.
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Design Studio Support Materials. Download some of Apex High School's design documents and program development materials.
Partnerships
Brook Farm Academy
The Brook Farm Business and Service Career Academy (BSCA) opened in Fall 2005 at the West Roxbury Education Complex. The school was created by an enthusiastic design team of students, parents, teachers and community partners.
BSCA integrates a business and service career theme into a college preparatory curriculum of Humanities, Spanish, Mathematics and Science. Students participate in business and service career signature course offerings such as marketing, economics, business technology, computer technology, and social psychology. BSCA collaborates with community partners to support creation of curriculum, professional development, and student support activities that are relevant, engaging and rewarding. Through strong community partnerships, students have internship opportunities in business and community service.
Apex AOIT: Student Reflections
A digital storytelling project with six AOIT students commenting on their Academy experiences, from their teachers, to their classroom work with integrated projects, to their internships.
A video introduction from Ed Donnelly, the Headmaster at Brook Farm Academy, Kat Dawson, Asst. Headmaster and Kelly Cameron, Dir. College and Career Partnerships.
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Partnerships: A Case Study documenting how Brook Farm Academy works with business partners and other supporting organizations to deliver high-quality internships and supplemental services for its students.
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Design Studio Support Materials. Download some of Brook Farm Academy’s design documents and program development materials.
Personalization
AJ Moore Academy
A.J. Moore is a magnet high school designed to prepare students for success in postsecondary education and in the work place. Students are prepared to excel academically, physically, and socially. All Waco Independent School District high school students are eligible to attend as entering 9th graders. As a magnet school, there are no attendance zones or extra costs, but students must apply for admission.
Through a career focus, the school strives to have a rigorous curriculum that meets state standards and helps students apply skills and knowledge to the real world. Its wall-to-wall career academies are the strength of the curriculum, and students take pride in their achievements. Partnerships are strong and include business partnerships, agreements with area colleges, and parent involvement. The school has done an excellent job in technology integration. Through several initiatives it has achieved a very low student-to-computer ratio. Technology is integrated throughout teaching and in the administration of the school. Waco is not a wealthy district and A.J. Moore is not a wealthy school, yet it has achieved a school culture and level of achievement that is remarkable.
A video introduction from Debra Bishop, AJ Moore Academy.
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Personalization: A Case Study on Design Strategies that support a strong school learning community by raising trust, commitment and performance for students and teachers alike.
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Design Studio Support Materials. Download some of AJ Moore’s design documents and program development materials.