INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
SPONSORED CONTENT
Digital Technology and Hands on Learning Blend Seamlessly at the
Providence Heights Alpha School
T
oday’s children are immersed in a variety of new
technologies and have fully integrated digital, media and
e-tools into their experience. They are imagining new ways
to engage, create, and interact with the world. Simultaneously,
research is examining the impact of overuse on cognitive and
social development, particularly in the young learner, and urges
parents to limit digital access.
So where does this leave the educator? The team at the
Providence Heights Alpha School answered this question as
they have answered many over the years: with a commitment
to mindful balance and a constant eye on a child-focused
education. We recognize that the implementation of new
technologies into our classrooms is both necessary and exciting,
opening new avenues to engage and teach students.
We’ve added a Computer and Technology class to the
curriculum where students learn the working tools they need:
PowerPoint, Excel, Word, website design, processing. We
equipped all classrooms with whiteboards to engage children in
collaborative experiences. Laptops are made available and iPads
are used to support educational units as an enrichment device.
A digital technology room is available for cross-curricular
lessons and is often used to compose music, host a code-break
room, or create stop-motion animation. Students visit the STEM
innovations lab for topical investigations into a variety of units
such as Lego robotics, coding and design.
But the true value
here is in the balance.
These digital innovations
have been weaved into
the daily experience but
not at the cost of the
traditional tools. We have
an impressive library
with over 7,000 books
to delight children and
engage them in a tactile
experience with reading.
They still take handwriting
classes and receive grades
32 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE | North Allegheny
for penmanship. In science, they are taught to think and speak
like scientists, to take scientific notes, and get hands-on with
experiments. Science isn’t just taught here; it happens, and their
delight often spills over into competitions such as PJAS.
The math teachers use a variety of methods to build mastery,
fluency and confidence, and then apply the concepts to the real
world.
Students take swim classes, perform in the musical, create
breathtaking art, and play instruments—all for the sheer joy of it.
Our students are invited into an experiential, rigorous
education designed to both challenge and develop a lifelong
love of learning and a confidence in their own voice. We engage
the whole child and help students find their joy while preparing
them to enter high school with a strong foundation in academic
knowledge, skills, maturity and responsibility.
We have been teaching children for over 90 years. Those
decades of experience leave us well-versed in how to guide our
students to new heights of excellence with tools both old and
new.
This Industry Insight was written by Claire Hartman, both the Admissions Director for
the Alpha School and one of its parents. Born and raised in the UK, Claire moved to the
US to attend college. She and her family have lived all over the world and attended some
outstanding schools but have never found a place quite as unique as Alpha. Her son is
entering 8th grade this year and her daughter is going off to High School. Contact
Claire for a private tour at 412.847.8001.
Open House Oct 21st 9-11am
Providence Heights
ALPHA SCHOOL
PreK-8th Grade
412.366.4455
www.alphaschool.org
9000 Babcock Blvd, Allison Park, PA 15101
Founded and Sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence
Where Tradition Meets New Heights of Excellence