An Apple Distinguished Program

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The Digital Arts Technology Academy named Apple Distinguished Program

Cathedral City, California — October, 26, 2015 — The Digital Arts Technology Academy (DATA) at Cathedral City High School, Palm Springs Unified School District is pleased to announce that it has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program for 2015–2017 ​for its use of iMac, MacBook, and iOS in a unique Career Technical Education program that challenges students with a range of art, media, and design opportunities.

The Apple Distinguished Program designation is reserved for programs that meet criteria for innovation, leadership, and educational excellence, and demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments.

Relying heavily on the powerful Mac platform, DATA students produce digital arts projects involving digital photography, graphics, animation, filmmaking, and audio production with a variety of tools that include Final Cut Pro X, iBooks Author, and GarageBand. 

Curriculum is online 24/7 and blends community connections with creativity to heighten learning. DATA students have a higher attendance and graduation rate among their peers and are prepared for college and career pursuits through a rigorous set of project-based experiences. 

“We are honored that DATA is being recognized for their innovative use of Apple technology to provide students an enriched learning experience,” says CCHS Principal Guillermo Chavez. “The selection of DATA as an Apple Distinguished Program highlights our success as an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment.”

With the integration of Apple technology, the cutting-edge studio classrooms inspire students to engage with their community through event photography and videography. Numerous media, multi-age collaborations and podcasts are published globally to iTunes. Students develop award-winning content that earns recognition far beyond the Coachella Valley. The first high school iPhone news app, CCNews, and iBooks projects like “Trashcans & Unicorns” illustrate DATA’s distinction as an educational leader where innovation is infused with technology.

DATA students perfect their CTE skills further in unique ways. They participate in SkillsUSA, a national career technical student organization, where they build technical/leadership skills and professionalism through yearlong competitions. They also participate in Student2student mentoring in which they teach technology skills at local middle schools. Academy students also lead visiting eighth graders in a full day of digital arts workshops during an experimental recruitment activity known as “Create Day.” Here, students are exposed to podcasting, photography, filmmaking, game design, and graphic design.

DATA is a California Partnership Lighthouse Academy with an emphasis in design, arts, and media. Students travel together as a cohort in core academic subjects and CTE electives, receive guidance from community mentors and designated counselor, intern with local industry partners, and produce professional quality content. Learn more at www.DigitalArtsTechAcademy.us