Students attend school on a technology-rich campus at SJND, where they bring their own tablets or laptops and attend class in Smart Classrooms, environments that allow faculty and students to use a host of incredible tools. All classrooms are equipped with LCD projectors, and there are several Smart Boards in classrooms. The campus Study Center is equipped with laptops, surround sound and a wireless microphone for lectures, podcasting and audio projection. The entire campus has wireless access, and the Science Department is equipped with laptops, college-level science equipment and facilities for independent research.

In fall 2012, SJND successfully introduced the Bring Your Own Computer program to campus. Each student is required every day to bring a computer – laptop, netbook or tablet – with them to school. Rather than specify one device, the school is encouraging students to bring the computer they have, providing it meets the minimum specifications.

The idea of the BYOC program, which mirrors what students will encounter in college, is to make it accessible and convenient for all. SJND has identified a computer that will meet the program’s needs for an estimated $400.

The program comes after two years of research by administrators on how to best create a fully digital campus. The BYOC program will be key to the learning process here at SJND because:

• Computers provide students with multiple ways of learning and prompt students to apply higher-order thinking skills to “big-picture” strategic issues.
• Students with computers spend more time engaged in collaborative work and more readily engage in problem solving and critical thinking.
• Students will use a computer as a tool to organize due dates, assignments and other engagements.
• A digital campus will give students greater skills, comfort and confidence in using technology.

A future benefit to SJND families is the decreased dependency on textbooks. E-textbooks will gradually be integrated into the curriculum, so that students will have all of their materials in one place.