Advanced Technologies Academy
Encyclopedia
Advanced Technologies Academy (A-TECH, ATA, ATECH) is a magnet
public high school in Las Vegas, Nevada
with a focus on integrating technology with academics for students in grades 9-12. The magnet school program was founded in 1994 and is part of the Clark County School District
. The first year included only 9th and 10th grade, adding a grade each year. The first graduating class was 1997, and the first graduating class with all four years of attendance was 1998. As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,022 students and 60 classroom teachers, on a FTE
basis, for a student-teacher ratio of 17.2. The magnet school focuses on computer and technology related study fields.
and basketball
have been held between A-TECH and Las Vegas Academy
(another local magnet school with no sports teams) since the school's opening.
The gymnasium building began construction during the 1998-1999 school year, and opened in the year 2000.
Efforts to increase the student population at the school began in the early 2000s. Construction of the school's east wing (including additional classrooms, offices, and a lecture hall) and expansion of the existing cafeteria began in 2002, and was completed in time for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. The expansion increased enrollment from approximately 750 students to just over 1000.
visited A-TECH to spotlight it as an example of how computer technology can enhance education.
After receiving the Blue Ribbon School award, Laura Bush
visited the school in 2004 and had a round table discussion with many members of the staff and student body.
Magnet school
In education in the United States, magnet schools are public schools with specialized courses or curricula. "Magnet" refers to how the schools draw students from across the normal boundaries defined by authorities as school zones that feed into certain schools.There are magnet schools at the...
public high school in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
with a focus on integrating technology with academics for students in grades 9-12. The magnet school program was founded in 1994 and is part of the Clark County School District
Clark County School District
The Clark County School District, , is the 5th largest school district in the United States. It serves all of Clark County, Nevada, including the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Mesquite; plus the census-designated places of Laughlin, Blue Diamond, Logandale,...
. The first year included only 9th and 10th grade, adding a grade each year. The first graduating class was 1997, and the first graduating class with all four years of attendance was 1998. As of the 2005-06 school year, the school had an enrollment of 1,022 students and 60 classroom teachers, on a FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis, for a student-teacher ratio of 17.2. The magnet school focuses on computer and technology related study fields.
Historical events
Unlike traditional high schools, A-TECH has no team sports. Students wishing to play team sports participate at their zoned high school. Games of flag footballFlag football
Flag football is a version of Canadian football or American football that is popular worldwide. The basic rules of the game are similar to those of the mainstream game , but instead of tackling players to the ground, the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier to end...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
have been held between A-TECH and Las Vegas Academy
Las Vegas Academy
The Las Vegas Academy of International Studies, Performing and Visual Arts is a magnet high school located in Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. Students are accepted through an audition process and claim a "major" pertaining to performing arts, visual arts, or foreign languages.- Las Vegas High School...
(another local magnet school with no sports teams) since the school's opening.
The gymnasium building began construction during the 1998-1999 school year, and opened in the year 2000.
Efforts to increase the student population at the school began in the early 2000s. Construction of the school's east wing (including additional classrooms, offices, and a lecture hall) and expansion of the existing cafeteria began in 2002, and was completed in time for the start of the 2003-2004 school year. The expansion increased enrollment from approximately 750 students to just over 1000.
Fields of study
A-TECH currently provides eight areas of study:- Business and Finance (BF): Students are prepared with the principles and operations of business and finance found in today’s technologically advanced global economy. The curriculum includes marketing, entrepreneurship, financial service training, and accounting. Classes are enhanced by multimedia presentations, business simulations, internet research, electronic mail, time management and the preparation of a professional business plan. Students learn how to pay taxes and work with money.
- Law-Related Education (Legal Studies): Students in this program focus on civil and criminal law with practical training in the skills necessary for pursuing a career as an attorney, police officer, paralegal, social worker, and crime scene investigator. Students utilize hardcopy and online resources including the national reporter system. Specialized equipment is provided to aid students in analyzing crime scenes. Students successfully admitted into the Legal Studies program start off in street law, progress to Civil/Criminal Law and Victims' Rights, Criminalistics, and lastly Forensics.
- Computer Graphic DesignComputer graphicsComputer graphics are graphics created using computers and, more generally, the representation and manipulation of image data by a computer with help from specialized software and hardware....
(CG): In this program, students focus on the professional areas of graphic design, computer art, and video. Students develop skills in the areas of drawing, digital and visual communications, design critiquing, portfolio development and presentations. Projects, design competitions and internships allow students to apply their skills at a professional level. - Computer Aided Drafting and Design (CADD): Students in CADD learn industry drafting standards in two and three-dimensional drawing techniques, rendering, and animation necessary in the fields of architecture and engineering. Students test their skills through participation in local and national design contests and in preparing for Autodesk certification.
- Systems Technology Support (STS): In Systems Technology Support, students develop the skills necessary to support microcomputers with various platforms and to administer network systems. Systems Technology Students have to pass an electronics course in order to graduate from the school with a Systems Technology Support diploma from the school and the school district. Students are taught the fundamentals of Local Area Network design and the responsibilities of a system administrator. Students prepare for the Novell CNA, Microsoft MCSA, Cisco CCNA, and A+ certification in the class.
- Information TechnologyInformation technologyInformation technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
(IT): Courses in this program provide students with the most diverse technological background of any computer area. Training in microcomputer operating systems, business applications, accounting, programming, system design and management are emphasized. Students are prepared for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification, Master Certification Exam, and A+ Certification. Students learn how to make a website and a webcast. As a requisite of the courses, students are required to learn HTML and Visual Basic. The program area could be molded in conjunction with Systems Technology Support. - Computer ScienceComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
(CS): In Computer Science, students focus on programming in Visual Basic and Java. The programming experience is enhanced by multimedia and website design for business, mathematics, science, and industry. Multimedia training in the techniques of three-dimensional modeling, morphing, animation and development of computer games is provided. Through website classes, students develop skills in designing and maintaining cutting edge professional websites. The computer science teacher was nominated for several awards and inducted in the Teacher's Hall of Fame in 06-07. - Pre-Engineering TechnologyEngineeringEngineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
(ET): Students in Pre-Engineering develop knowledge of engineering principles, technological and engineering problem solving skills and decision making methods. The fields of civil, electrical, mechanical, and robotic engineering are studied through hands-on learning labs, interactive engineering software, and two courses through UNLV.
Awards and recognition
- During the 2003-04 school year, Advanced Technologies Academy was recognized with the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools ProgramThe Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of EducationUnited States Department of EducationThe United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
, the highest award an American school can receive.
- ATECH was named a School of DistinctionIntel Schools of DistinctionThe Intel Schools of Distinction Awards is a national education awards program sponsored by the Intel Corporation that recognizes K-12 schools in the United States that have demonstrated "excellence in implementing innovative, replicable programs supporting positive educational outcomes in the...
-- top Technology Excellence high school—by Intel in 2005.
- Advanced Technologies Academy was recognized with the Exemplary School Award from the Nevada Department of EducationNevada Department of EducationThe Nevada Department of Education is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Nevada.The NDOE headquarters are located in Carson City....
for the graduating classes of 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2010, and received the High Achieving School Award from the Nevada Department of EducationNevada Department of EducationThe Nevada Department of Education is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Nevada.The NDOE headquarters are located in Carson City....
for the graduating classes of 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007
- Magnet Schools of AmericaMagnet Schools of AmericaMagnet Schools of America is a non-profit organization supporting approximately 2000 magnet schools in the United States. Its main office is located in Washington, D.C.-History:...
recognized A-TECH as a School of Distinction in 2008
- U.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World ReportU.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
selected A-TECH as a Silver Medal Winner of America's Best High Schools in 2008
- ATECH was recognized, for the second time, with the Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools ProgramThe Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
Award of Excellence by the United States Department of EducationUnited States Department of EducationThe United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
on September 15, 2011.
Notable visitors
Since its opening in 1994, A-TECH has received several notable visitors. In 1996, Al GoreAl Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
visited A-TECH to spotlight it as an example of how computer technology can enhance education.
After receiving the Blue Ribbon School award, Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...
visited the school in 2004 and had a round table discussion with many members of the staff and student body.
Notable faculty members
Some of the awards given to A-TECH faculty include:- Kellie Guild is the American Literature Honors Teacher and was named to Who's Who among English Teachers for 2006 and Cambridge Who's Who for 2007. She is the Junior League President for the 2006-2007 school year. She was the only one in Clark County who was in the initial group of graders for the National SAT Essay in 2005.
- Richard Knoeppel was inducted into the Clark CountyClark County School DistrictThe Clark County School District, , is the 5th largest school district in the United States. It serves all of Clark County, Nevada, including the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Mesquite; plus the census-designated places of Laughlin, Blue Diamond, Logandale,...
Excellence in Education Hall of Fame in the 2007-2008 school year. - Claire Michels, Computer Graphics Design teacher; designed shoes for Nike and the logo for KFC among other logos for various national companies.
- Computer ScienceComputer scienceComputer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
teacher, John Snyder, who has received the following awards:- Business Week Magazine National Award for Innovating Teaching in 1988
- Named NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
Teacher of the year and Burger KingBurger KingBurger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
State Teacher of the year in 1990 - Milken Educator Award in 1991
- He was named Tandy Technology Scholar in 1991
- Inducted into the Clark CountyClark County School DistrictThe Clark County School District, , is the 5th largest school district in the United States. It serves all of Clark County, Nevada, including the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, and Mesquite; plus the census-designated places of Laughlin, Blue Diamond, Logandale,...
Excellence in Education Hall of Fame in 1992 - He was named a Christa McAuliffeChrista McAuliffeChrista McAuliffe was an American teacher from Concord, New Hampshire, and was one of the seven crew members killed in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster....
Fellow in 1994 and 1998 - Dolly PartonDolly PartonDolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, author, multi-instrumentalist, actress and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music. Dolly Parton has appeared in movies like 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk...
presented him with the Chasing Rainbows Award in 2003 - Inducted in the National Teachers Hall of FameNational Teachers Hall of FameThe National Teachers Hall of Fame is an American non-profit organization honoring exceptional school teachers. It was founded in 1989 by Emporia State University, the ESU Alumni Association, the City of Emporia, USD 253, and the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce...
2007 - He is listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, and Who's Who in the World.
- Valarie Young (World HistoryWorld HistoryWorld History, Global History or Transnational history is a field of historical study that emerged as a distinct academic field in the 1980s. It examines history from a global perspective...
), the recipient of the Milken Educator award.