The Fletcher School Named Apple Distinguished School
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Fletcher School named Apple Distinguished School
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - November 18, 2015-The Fletcher School is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015-2017 for its innovative use of Apple technology since implementing a one-to-one technology initiative in the fall of 2013.
The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.
In order to assist the School's unique student population to perform well and demonstrate their learning potential, updating and improving the use of technology was deemed critical to help students become concise communicators, discerning researchers, and persuasive leaders in the 21st century. The implementation of a three year technology plan began with intensive training for faculty and staff and the installation of appropriate technology infrastructure. Faculty professional development was key in preparing for a one-to-one implementation and ongoing opportunities for professional growth and learning have been integral in the program's success. The thoughtful rollout of one-to-one devices included Digital Citizenship courses for students and Digital Boot Camps for parents.
"Individualized learning is highly valued at Fletcher," says Margaret Sigmon, Head of School. "Teaching students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, and auditory processing disorder requires diagnostic, prescriptive teaching. The technology plan was designed to enhance our existing principles of structured, multisensory, individualized lessons while supporting new, cutting-edge strategies of instruction. It has been exciting to see our students create, collaborate, and produce their best work with the support of these tools."
At Fletcher, teachers examine every student's psychological and educational evaluation in order to address very specific learning needs. These evaluations clearly define student strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. The one-to-one initiative allows teachers to create authentic lessons enabling students to experience the objectives taught via visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods. Teachers are constantly collaborating and adapting multisensory lessons and learning plans in support of individual student learning styles.
Founded in 1982, The Fletcher School is an independent, kindergarten-12th grade, college preparatory school serving approximately 260 students from across the Charlotte region. The bright, talented, and often gifted students learn in small, structured classes with a 6:1 student-to-teacher ratio. Instruction is sequential, cumulative, and repetitious in order for students to achieve mastery and to mainstream into elementary, secondary, and post-secondary academic environments. The Rankin Institute, created in 2003 and operated through The Fletcher School, is a community resource providing education and resources to teachers, professionals, and parents beyond those directly involved with the academic programs at Fletcher.
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