New Tech Network (NTN) announced that Innovation Academy @ Riverside, for the second year in a row has been selected as a National Demonstration Site in the New Tech Network (NTN). Innovation Academy @ Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth epitomized the best example of the New Tech mission – to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, college and the careers of tomorrow.
“These schools have achieved a very high honor. We consider them exemplary schools within the New Tech Network. They have shown enormous dedication to the key aspects that makes a great New Tech school as is evidenced by the students. Through the schools hard work, students are not only better prepared for life and college, they have achieved a deep love of learning and a fundamental understanding of the deeper learning skills needed to succeed in life after high school,” said NTN President and CEO, Lydia Dobyns.
To receive this prestigious distinction, Innovation Academy @ Riverside achieved once again many notable accomplishments. To receive this honor again, the school had to continue to develop and demonstrate a clear set of student learning outcomes consistent with skills required to succeed in college, career or civic life. These include content mastery tied to state standards as well as work ethic/collaboration, critical thinking and oral and written communication. All courses must demonstrate rigorous and relevant Project-Based Learning (PBL) to amplify deeper learning while engaging students in the classroom. The deep integration and use of technology must be present in all classrooms. Finally, a school culture that establishes students at the center, built on trust, respect and responsibility must be evident throughout the school.
Innovation Academy opened in August 2013 with 100 learners in both 5th and 6th grade and is located within the walls of Riverside Intermediate School in Plymouth, Indiana. There are four facilitators at each Innovation Academy grade level. Jeni Hirschy, principal of Riverside Intermediate School details the steps her school has taken to achieve NTN Demonstration site status:
“In the spring of 2014, I was encouraged to complete an application. Being asked was an honor as we were wrapping up our first school year of implementation. In the fall of 2014, NTN announced that Innovation Academy @ Riverside was selected as a National Demonstration Site in the New Tech Network. We truly couldn’t be more pleased when we received notification that we will continue our recognition as a National Demonstration Site and Exemplary School in the New Tech Network for a second year. We epitomized the best example of the New Tech mission – to help students gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, college and the careers of tomorrow.” “We opened during the 2013-14 school year and were immediately challenged with a new way to re-imagine teaching and learning. We have seen amazing examples of engaged students,” said Hirschy. “Our teachers have made a commitment to attend national conferences and ongoing professional development. They have worked together to create a tremendous learning environment for the students attending the academy.”
Demonstration site schools play a key role in the development and scale of the New Tech Network as well. Innovation Academy @ Riverside will continue to host tours for national, state and local schools and districts to experience a New Tech school firsthand. Visitors will continue to take part in student-led tours to learn about the fundamentals of the school, including project-based learning examples, integrated use of technology and the culture shift that is integral to every New Tech. Last year, Innovation Academy @ Riverside saw hundreds of visitors wishing to experience a New Tech school. In addition to tours, demonstration sites play an important role for critical New Tech training events. These trainings often provide an authentic immersion experience within a New Tech school for teachers and administrators as new districts and communities prepare to open and teach in their own schools. Events like leadership summits, demonstration sites host teacher shadowing and leadership residency, allowing for a first-hand experience within a New Tech school.
All courses must demonstrate rigorous and relevant Project-Based Learning (PBL) to amplify deeper learning while engaging students in the classroom. The deep integration and use of technology must be present in all classrooms. Finally, a school culture that establishes students at the center, built on trust, respect and responsibility must be evident throughout the school.
New Tech Network recently released its 2015 Data Report showing the high rate of college enrollment is evident in New Tech Network schools in diverse communities across the nation. New Tech Network Students:
● Graduate from high school at a rate 9% higher than the national average.
● Enroll in college at a rate 9% higher than the national average.
● Persist in college at a rate of 92%.
