Spotlight School: New Tech Academy at Wayne High School

Nestled in the heart of Fort Wayne, IN, New Tech Academy at Wayne High School stands as a beacon of innovative education within the Fort Wayne Community Schools district. This institution is celebrated for its commitment to meaningful and equitable instruction, as well as fostering a supportive and inclusive culture.

A Journey Through Project-Based Learning

At New Tech Academy, the learning journey unfolds through a carefully structured process that ensures students achieve their goals in a dynamic and engaging manner.

Early Stage: The Foundation

Every project begins with a spark of curiosity. In the early stages, students dive into research, exploration, and brainstorming. This phase is all about discovery—students immerse themselves in new concepts, seeking answers and formulating initial ideas. Their findings are shared and reviewed, setting a solid foundation for the project ahead.

Mid Stage: Skill Building and Collaboration

As the project progresses to the mid-stage, the focus shifts to skill-building. Workshops introduce new skills, often with scaffolding to support student learning. This is a period of practice and refinement. Collaboration becomes key, with advanced students stepping into the role of peer coaches, fostering a sense of community and shared learning. Students submit their mid-stage work for feedback or engage in insightful conferences with their teachers, ensuring they stay on the right track.

Late Stage: Bringing Ideas to Life

The late stage is where ideas take flight. Students work on creating their final products or presentations, drawing inspiration from exemplary models. Rubrics provide clear guidelines, helping students understand what makes a strong final product. Practice sessions and peer reviews offer opportunities for constructive feedback, ensuring students refine their work before the final presentation. When the time comes to present, feedback is given based on the rubric by instructors, community partners, or older students who have excelled in similar projects. This feedback highlights strengths and areas for improvement, guiding students toward excellence.

Components of a Project-Based Learning Curriculum

The success of New Tech Academy’s project-based learning curriculum rests on key principles and practices designed to support both students and staff.

Principles:

1. Supportive Environment:
   1. New Tech Academy fosters a culture of professional growth and support for adult learners. The school’s Supportive and Inclusive Culture Rubric outlines the framework for this environment.
2. Connectedness and Belonging:
   1. A cornerstone of the Academy’s philosophy is ensuring that every student feels connected and valued. This sense of belonging is crucial for creating an inclusive educational experience.

Practices:

1. Staff Feedback Cycles:
   1. Continuous improvement is driven by regular staff feedback cycles. These cycles refine practices, promote individual growth, and enhance shared learning among staff members.
2. IMPACT Student Programs:
   1. The Academy leverages IMPACT student programs to bolster a sense of inclusion and value among all students, strengthening the school’s community. 

Student Outcomes:

1. Enhanced Professional Growth:
   1. Through individual and shared learning experiences, adult learners thrive in a supportive environment, setting the stage for ongoing professional development. 
2. Inclusive Student Culture: 
   1. Every student feels valued and included, reinforcing a sense of connectedness and belonging that permeates the school culture. 
3. Improved Academic and Social Engagement: 
   1. The supportive and inclusive environment benefits both students and staff, leading to enhanced academic performance and positive social outcomes. 

New Tech Academy at Wayne High School isn’t just a place of learning; it’s a community where students and educators grow together. Through its innovative project-based learning approach, the Academy ensures that every student is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in an ever-changing world.