Auburn High School

Narratives

Project Narrative

The existing school had become a conglomerate of different additions; it was poorly lit, undersized and lacked many of the amenities required by a modern high school. The school department needed a new building, which reflected the changes taking place within its academic program and educational philosophy. The dark double loaded corridors were to be replaced with naturally illuminated walkways open to a three-story atrium. Multiple computer labs accessible to all students would replace computers presently distributed sparsely throughout the old school. As part of the academic transformation taking place the new school was envisioned as a building to support and enhanced the student population as well as the community at large. Therefore the design of the new High School was developed with three key objectives in mind: to take full advantage of natural light, expand the educational opportunities for students by providing a technologically rich learning environment and maximize key spaces throughout the building for community use.

Studies have proven exposure to natural light greatly contributes to academic success, with this notion the floor plans for this monumental institution were conceived. Classrooms and Administrative offices feature large windows with expansive views across the site while external sunshades control heat gain and solar glare. In coming daylight is monitored by photocell controllers and lights in the building are activated as needed. The design of the new High School also incorporates expansive clearstory glazing above centralized three-story atrium. This feature allows natural daylight to flood the center of the building.

Providing for interdisciplinary learning through technology integration is the central focus of the schools academic philosophy. Many classrooms are equipped with interactive white boards and this technology is being gradually worked into the educational program. In addition to several computer labs through out the building the project includes seven laptop carts. These wireless carts remain charged and can be checked out by any teacher and brought into any space in the building. Thus the school has the capability of making any room a computer lab. This flexibility is critical to meeting the challenges facing students today. The school’s curriculum gives students the opportunity to develop “PowerPoint” or video presentations as an alternate to the traditional essay. Correspondingly, the new building is equipped with a fully functioning TV studio and editing bays accessible to all students.

The new school is completely accessible to the public via a centrally located elevator. The gymnasium, weight room, fitness room and auditorium are all used as community spaces with their own parking and entrance for after school activities. Multiple synthetic fields on the site maximize flexibly and allow wide spread community use. College level adult education courses are now held at the new High School. The promise of a community building has truly been fulfilled. Not only is the new High School located in the center of town — it has become the central focus of town life. Voting, town meetings, athletic and social events all take place in this prestigious new building.

Providing for Interdisciplinary Learning Through Technology Integration

In a letter to her husband John, Abigail Adams wrote the following: “Learning is not attained by chance; it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” These words aptly describe the matrix upon which the environment for teaching and learning at Auburn High School is based.

Quality curriculum does not develop by chance — it must be carefully designed with the end in mind, presented through engaging and meaningful instruction, and measured directly with significant real-life assessments.

In order to succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy, students must do more than just master their subjects. They must also use creativity, problem-solving skills, and communication to see beyond the simple task of learning information to applying that information to real life. Mastering the ability to use appropriate technologies to locate, process, and analyze information efficiently and effectively in their school, work and life environments is critical in this process.

At Auburn High School students no longer learn information in isolation. They are not “told” the information; they are “shown” the information. For example, in the study of civil rights, students directly experience the power of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I have a dream” speech through video clips viewed on the smart board. The power of the spoken word infused with the passion and intensity of the speaker totally transcends the simple act of reading the text.

In presenting, personalizing, and individualizing assignments in a curriculum area, students can choose to develop a PowerPoint presentation, a traditional essay, a pictorial essay or a video to demonstrate their mastery of the subject matter. World language students have the ability to apply the target language by listening and responding to actual news broadcasts. Virtual tours of important places, as well as museums, provide fine arts students with experiences they would never have without the benefit of technology.

Developing such a learning environment has increased accountability for our teachers. “Attended to with diligence” requires them to engage in more professional development, learn new skills, and re-think how to ensure that their students have a supportive and exciting learning environments. A problem still to be conquered is how to develop better formative and summative classroom assessments that integrate technology and effectively measure the essential twenty-first century skills in all curricular areas.

“Sought for with ardor” describes the manner in which teachers advocate for more smart boards and higher-end technology. Increasing access to the use of technology in every class for every student is still a challenge. We need to still increase our knowledge about what technology is, how it works, what purposes it can serve, and how it can be used effectively to achieve the specific mission and goals of Auburn High School.