1 to 1 Laptop Program

where are they Artemis Magazine February 2011 headed?

class of 2010 college matriculation

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1 to 1 laptop program

Archer teaches girls the way they learn best and designs curriculum and instruction based on current research on teaching and learning. Our 1 to 1 Laptop Program represents a 21st century paradigm for classroom instruction. In fall 2009, Archer rolled out the first phase of the Program, which put an Apple MacBook in the hands of every teacher. During the 2009-2010 school year, faculty members were trained on how to thoughtfully integrate technology into the classroom and were introduced to the vast technical innovations that would directly impact student learning.

Studies continue to show that in schools with 1 to 1 laptop programs, students are more engaged and responsible for their own education, are more collaborative with their peers and teachers, are better able to apply digital skills, and are best equipped to connect with others in our changing global society.

This year, students in grades 6 and 9 received new, personal-use MacBooks as part of the second phase of the initiative. Each year, Archer will continue to build on the success of the program as more and more grade levels receive computers.

“At Archer we embrace how differently each girl learns and thus align our curriculum to engage and motivate all students using

- Director of Technology Pam Horrocks cutting-edge digital tools.” Because of the immediate impact and successful implementation of the program, Archer was awarded a $100,000 grant from The Ahmanson Foundation in support of our 1 to 1 Laptop Program. After visiting Archer’s campus, including several classrooms and meeting with Ms. English, the Foundation reported that they were very impressed with Archer’s application of technology in the classroom. Archer is honored to have established a partnership with this prestigious foundation, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life and cultural legacy of the Los Angeles community.

As the digital world continues to change, so should our classroom instruction. It is our belief that through the purposeful and natural integration of digital tools, Archer teachers are able to develop more innovative and individualized learning opportunities for all students.

The possibilities this technology presents are limitless. Students can:

•Create newscasts using iMovie. •Use digital thermal probes in science labs. •Tell personal stories using PhotoBooth. •Connect with students in France using ePals. •Collaborate about The Odyssey using a Wiki. •Utilize software to create 3D geometric images in math.

featured student work tara niami

Tara Niami ’11 was honored by The Alliance for Young Artists and Writers for her photograph titled “Standing in the Skeleton of Another Reality.” Tara submitted her work to the national Scholastic Competition, which reviewed more than 30,000 entries. Tara was first recognized with a Los Angeles Region Gold Key, the highest level of achievement on the regional level. As a Gold Key recipient, her work was then sent to the national jury as one of 1,000 entries reviewed for a national award. Tara is the proud recipient of a Gold Medal, indicating that the jury found her work among the most outstanding in the nation. Her piece was on exhibition at New York’s Carnegie Hall this past summer.

faculty spotlight Reed Farley

Now in his second year at Archer, teacher Reed Farley continues to be an influential presence both in the classroom and on the stage. In addition to his work with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls in theatre classes, Mr. Farley has produced and directed both Middle School plays, an adaptation of Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as well as last year’s Middle School musical,

Once on this Island. As if that weren’t enough, he also choreographed last year’s Upper School musical, Guys & Dolls, and is currently choreographing both the Upper School musical Grease and the upcoming Middle School musical Pippin. He is also the faculty advisor for Archer’s Institute of Film & Video Literacy, a new program designed to focus on the fundamentals of digital film production while taking a critical look at the role of women in film.

Mr. Farley’s creativity and enthusiasm for the arts complement his deep-seated passion for teaching and dedication to innovative classroom methodologies. The Archer faculty’s work with Research for Better Teaching (RBT) has provided Mr. Farley with an opportunity to view his craft in a new light: “RBT has brought focus to my lessons, in the sense that every activity within a given lesson is focused on a specific skill. Students are constantly aware of why they are being asked to participate in any given lesson. An essential aspect of RBT is ensuring that each student in the classroom is constantly engaged and contributing to specific activities and discussions. I am happily reminded of this student engagement every time the students summarize each other’s ideas, thoughts, and opinions, and provide meaningful and constructive feedback to their peers.”

“I believe that the classroom is a collaborative, creative and sacred space that requires careful teacher planning and constant assessment. A classroom community should encourage creativity, individuality and self-expression, dealing with content that is academically and artistically rigorous ”and appealing to students. The same important interchange that Mr. Farley observes among his students is a hallmark of the Archer community, and is without a doubt one of the most rewarding aspects of his job. As he states, “The joy of working at Archer is the constant opportunity to collaborate with the amazing staff and students.”

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then and now # of students: 32 # of students: 450 $194,000 awarded in Financial Aid $2.6M in Financial Aid awarded annually the courtyard then the courtyard now

13 faculty & staff members in 1995

campus located in the Pacific Palisades 28 girls in the first graduating class 93 faculty & staff members in 2011

campus located in Brentwood 69 girls in the graduating class of 2011