Technical high school becomes high tech school

Cisco Systems Networking Academy empowers students for the Internet Economy

Last year when the Ontario government reduced funding for adult education programs, Toronto's George Harvey Collegiate lost over 700 students, more than half of the school population. Like many traditional technical schools, the loss of adult learners combined with the disinterest in technical programs among high school students caused an enrollment crisis. George Harvey was slated for possible closure.

It was up to principal Libert Castillo to find a way to turn things around for his school. Castillo, along with the help of local superintendents and the school board came up with a school renewal plan. Part of the plan was to actively pursue partnerships with industry and business. Specifically, they needed to find a partnership that would help change George Harvey from a technical school to a high tech school.

The Cisco Systems Networking Academy Program has helped accomplish this goal. The Networking Academy Program is a four-semester program designed to teach high school students how to design, build and maintain computer networks. According to Castillo, the program has become a major component of the school renewal program.

"We couldn't have found the program at a better time," said Castillo. "We wanted to find a program to fill a need in our community and to develop the skills and knowledge to prepare students for jobs right out of high school."

The Networking Academy Program was launched in the fall of 1998 at George Harvey; the reaction to the program couldn't have been better.

Staff reaction has been extremely positive. Two teachers from the technology department immediately volunteered for training on their own time. And according to Castillo, the rest of the staff saw the program as a benefit to the school and an opportunity to start attracting some highly motivated learners.

Bob Nixon, one of the teachers of the program, was very impressed with the technology aspect of the program. "As an educator, I constantly deal with issues of keeping up with technology and not having enough computers to go around," said Nixon. "But this program, in terms of content and technology; it's the best!"

In commenting on the partnership with Cisco, he said, "Cisco is phenomenal to work with because they really listened to feedback and modified the program based on our input and recommendations."

Parent reaction has been very positive as well. Once the students found out about the program, they told their parents. Castillo says parents have been very keen to learn more about it.

"Parents of existing students are thrilled with the program," said Castillo. But, what has him really excited is the reaction of the parents and students in the feeder schools. Traditionally, most grade eight students avoided selecting George Harvey for high school, choosing instead to attend one of the other two nearby high schools that are more academically focused.

"The community realizes George Harvey is changing," said Castillo. Something really positive and unique is going on."

This positive change is showing in numbers as well. There has been an increase of over 30 per cent in grade nine enrolment for fall of 1999 from the previous year. Castillo believes one of the main reasons for this is the Networking Academy Program. In fact, demand for the program is so high George Harvey will be adding a second Cisco lab to be ready for January 2000 so more students can be accommodated.

According to Nixon, in addition to learning a whole host of new skills, the students find the program both challenging and rewarding. He also noted additional skills gained from the program will help them in future educational endeavors. For instance, the nature of the curriculum allows the teacher to lecture to the class like a university or college professor so students have to learn to take notes effectively. Also, all of the tests for the course are online tests very similar to ones students will be writing in college or university. The students have to adapt to a more advanced way of note and test taking.

The program is typically run as a four semester program in grades 11 and 12 but George Harvey staff wanted to provide options to its students so the program is also run as a three semester program by offering courses one and two in grade 11 and courses three and four simultaneously in grade 12. The program is also running as a two semester fast-track program with courses one and two being offered in semester one and courses three and four in semester two. This fast-track option resulted in the first Networking Academy graduates in Canada in June of 1999 several of whom found summer jobs in the networking industry.

Students taking the program at George Harvey also have the opportunity to get some work experience in the field by taking two additional networking co-op credits.

Castillo believes the support George Harvey has received from Cisco Systems has made a tremendous difference to the success of the program. "Cisco has been very supportive of George Harvey from the educational discounts they offer on lab equipment right through to technical support and positive reinforcement for the students efforts," said Castillo. "They have really been a first class operation to work with."

The Cisco Networking Academy in conjunction with several other initiatives has transformed George Harvey Collegiate, a technical high school on the brink of closure into a high tech school that prepares students to compete in the Internet economy.

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