Boys’ Latin offers a highly-structured K-12 technology curriculum as part of our college preparatory program. With a student-computer ratio of less than 2:1 and full Internet connectivity in every classroom and both libraries, students and faculty have access to today’s rapidly growing information technology. The primary objective of our K-12 curriculum is to prepare our students for success within the highly technological academic world they enter upon graduation from Boys’ Latin, as well as careers later in life.
The breadth of our hardware and software resources combined with the wealth of information available on the Internet make purchasing personal equipment, such as laptops for use at school, unnecessary for schoolwork.
Lower School Technology
Students participate annually in the “Science and Technology Fair,” where their technology projects, including PowerPoint presentations, Hyperstudio Stacks, Multimedia Books, and Intranet and Internet skills are on display for the Boys’ Latin community.
Students also use the networked computers in their homeroom and academic classrooms throughout the day to perform research and assignments like the inter-curricular Big 6 Project (see examples in the Lower School section).
Students in Grades K-5 focus on:
- Keyboarding
- Graphing
- Creative Writing
- Word Processing
- Research
- Information Authentication and Evaluation Skills
- Internet Searches
- Electronic Presentations
- Computer Art & Graphics
- Networking & File Sharing Basics
- Curriculum-specific Skill & Drill Programs
Middle School Technology
Students participate in half semester classes, which build on the skills developed in the LS Technology Program. The 6th and 7th Grades take computer on a rotation basis. The 8th Grade takes a specific computer research course in preparation for the independent work they will encounter in the Upper School.
Middle School students focus on:
- Keyboarding
- Graphing
- Word Processing
- Spreadsheets
- Writing Workshops
- Networking and File Sharing Basics
- Multi-tasking with MS Windows, Word, Encarta & Bookshelf
- Internet Productivity
- Information Authentication and Evaluation Skills
- Ethical Computer Usage
- Research
- Introductory Multimedia Production (audio & video)
- Desktop Publishing
- Electronic presentations
- Interactive Math Tutorials
- Multimedia Foreign Language Skills
- Introductory Web Authoring
- Graphic Design and Digital Image Editing
- Computer aided Architectural Design Projects
Upper School Technology
Upper School students use the computer network extensively, in and out of regularly scheduled computer technology classes. The students use the network for research, writing, SAT Prep, college selection and evaluation, on-line college applications, and class work and homework across the curriculum.
Upper School students focus on:
- Keyboarding
- Proficiency with MS Office Pro (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)
- Web site Authentication and evaluation Skills
- Ethical Computer Usage
- Web Authoring and HTML Programming
- Advanced Multimedia Production (audio & video)
- C++ Programming
- Advanced Desktop Publishing
- Computer Art & Graphics
- Music Video Productions
- Virtual Reality Videos
- Multimedia Web Authoring Projects
- Database management
- Multimedia Foreign Language Software.
For those families considering purchasing a home computer system to support student studies, the following system specifications are recommended:
- Microsoft Windows XP
- Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003
- Pentium 4 or Athalon XP
- 512 Mbytes of Ram
- 32 Meg USB memory key
- Cable or DSL Internet connection