Saint Viator Named an Apple Distinguished School

Submission by Saint Viator

Saint Viator High School has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2015–2017 for its implementation of its 1:1 iPad program.

A rigorous education has been the hallmark of a Saint Viator education, since its inception more than 50 years ago, but with the school’s innovative curriculum redesign, it leverages technology --- with academics.

“The use of the iPad in education challenges students to learn by doing,” says Principal Eileen Manno, who led the crusade to immerse students and faculty in iPad technology. “It engages them in the learning process in multi-dimensional, dynamic and creative ways.”

The Apple Distinguished School program is reserved for schools that meet criteria for innovation, leadership and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision for exemplary learning environments.

Maggie Miskowicz, coordinator of Saint Viator’s instructional technology, points to a few of Apple’s tools that have revolutionized its classrooms, such as iMovie, which brings to life what they have learned, Keynote that helps them present main points of a novel, and Numbers, where students collect data and create graphs.

Students this year have the opportunity to learn mobile app programming, while also taking advantage of “flipped classroom” lessons, where teachers create videos of individual units that students can watch at home and use classroom time for questions.

“One of the most significant changes in student learning with the implementation of iPad is that learning takes place anywhere, anytime,” says Mrs. Eileen Cairo, science department chair.

When Saint Viator administrators learned of the news, Mrs. Manno turned to faculty members, who were on the front lines of implementing this new technology-driven, curriculum design: “Thank you for embracing change,” she said.

Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, described the distinction as another example of Saint Viator’s commitment to academic excellence and its goal of shaping young men and women to be successful in the classroom, and to be leaders in academics, athletics, faith and service to others.

“Once again, (Mrs. Manno) and her team have succeeded in demonstrating how this educational community is one of the best in the nation,” Fr. Brost said. “This distinction reflects their outstanding leadership.”