The Detroit Public Schools on Tuesday announced the creation of a “digital learning community” with technology supplied by Apple. The community is described as “a small high school that uses a technology rich environment to engage students and accelerate learning.”
The small high school, known as Detroit Digital Learning Community High, will be open to a cross-section of students within the District, particularly those thought to be at risk, according to the Detroit Public Schools. It will enroll some 250 ninth graders this school year and expand to a 9-12 high school over the next three years.
The school will use wireless-enabled iBook G4s, iPods and software programs like iLife ‘05.
District officials hope to be able to use this digital learning environment to improve test scores. They also believe it could be a critical weapon in the District’s battle to increase the graduation rate and to steer more students toward higher education institutions.
There was no word on the amount of money the schools would pay Apple in the deal.