CROOMS ACADEMY OF CROOMS ACADEMY OF INSTRUCTIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL

TECHNOLOGYTECHNOLOGY (AOIT ) (AOIT )

A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STORY AND MODEL SUCCESS STORY AND MODEL

FOR THE NATIONFOR THE NATION

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CROOMS AOIT provides cutting edge innovation in teaching and learning in a technology-enriched academic environment, engaging students in a curriculum that prepares them for both admittance to college and the technology labor market.

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CROOMS AOIT BACKGROUNDCROOMS AOIT BACKGROUND

Crooms AOIT, located in Sanford, Florida, evolved from a segregated community school in a low income areato an A+ school, rated “Best 100 Schools in the Nation”by U. S. News and World Report and Newsweek’s “ List of Top 1,000 Schools in the United States”.Crooms, in 2011, named Number 1 in the Nation for Classroom Connectivity.

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HISTORY OF CROOMS AOITHISTORY OF CROOMS AOIT

Founded in 1926 by Professor Crooms as the only black Founded in 1926 by Professor Crooms as the only black high school in Sanford, Floridahigh school in Sanford, Florida

Seminole County desegregated in 1970 and the community Seminole County desegregated in 1970 and the community high school was losthigh school was lost

Crooms became a school for academically-struggling Crooms became a school for academically-struggling students, those with behavioral problems and pregnant students, those with behavioral problems and pregnant teenagersteenagers

School burned to the ground in 1973School burned to the ground in 1973 In year 2000, Justice Department would lift desegregation In year 2000, Justice Department would lift desegregation

order in 2003 if Crooms were to be rebuilt as an order in 2003 if Crooms were to be rebuilt as an information technology academyinformation technology academy

Crooms was named a “magnet “ school for information Crooms was named a “magnet “ school for information technologytechnology

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CROOMS AOIT REPORT CARDCROOMS AOIT REPORT CARD

A+ School for fourth year in a rowA+ School for fourth year in a row Highest FCAT science scores in the districtHighest FCAT science scores in the district Greater than 95% graduation rate for three years- Greater than 95% graduation rate for three years-

100% in 2010100% in 2010 30% of students earn college credit through dual 30% of students earn college credit through dual

enrollmentenrollment 57% students pass Advanced Placement tests57% students pass Advanced Placement tests Engineering team wins Lockheed Martin engineering Engineering team wins Lockheed Martin engineering

competitioncompetition Received State of Florida STEM Award in 2010Received State of Florida STEM Award in 2010 Student body approximately 50% minorityStudent body approximately 50% minority

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What Made Crooms a Success?What Made Crooms a Success?

Founders had a vision and “stayed the course” with a defined missionFounders had a vision and “stayed the course” with a defined mission Designation as “Magnet School” fosters student demand and Designation as “Magnet School” fosters student demand and

technology focustechnology focus High quality, motivated teachers and administratorsHigh quality, motivated teachers and administrators Positioned in a rich technology environment of modeling, simulation Positioned in a rich technology environment of modeling, simulation

and information technology with local job opportunitiesand information technology with local job opportunities Post-secondary academic degree programs available in modeling, Post-secondary academic degree programs available in modeling,

simulation and instructional technology simulation and instructional technology Spawned an active Business Advisory Council that influences Spawned an active Business Advisory Council that influences

curriculum and provides monetary, internship and other support curriculum and provides monetary, internship and other support Requires parent cooperation and involvementRequires parent cooperation and involvement Incoming students issued laptop computersIncoming students issued laptop computers Student assignments, grades, progress reports, homework all on-lineStudent assignments, grades, progress reports, homework all on-line

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SUMMARYSUMMARY

Professor Crooms established a high school in a minority neighborhoodProfessor Crooms established a high school in a minority neighborhood Desegregation essentially eliminated community school-building served other Desegregation essentially eliminated community school-building served other

purposespurposes Crooms building burned to the ground in 1973Crooms building burned to the ground in 1973 New high school constructed with a bold, innovative high technology missionNew high school constructed with a bold, innovative high technology mission Central Florida became the National Center for Simulation with military Central Florida became the National Center for Simulation with military

acquisition agencies located in Orlando with over $5B business/yearacquisition agencies located in Orlando with over $5B business/year UCF and the Institute for Simulation and Training offer advanced degrees and UCF and the Institute for Simulation and Training offer advanced degrees and

conduct research in modeling and simulationconduct research in modeling and simulation Large industry base supports simulation and provides advice and support to Large industry base supports simulation and provides advice and support to

CroomsCrooms Students issued laptop computers as freshmen. Parents receive training and are Students issued laptop computers as freshmen. Parents receive training and are

totally involved, especially through the internettotally involved, especially through the internet Teachers have superior credentials, administrators and students are highly Teachers have superior credentials, administrators and students are highly

motivated for success.motivated for success. Graduation rate for 2010 was 100%Graduation rate for 2010 was 100% Crooms named in top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Crooms named in top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World

Report and Newsweek’s top schoolsReport and Newsweek’s top schools

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Connie Collins

PrincipalDr. Connie Collins has been principal of Crooms Academy of Information Technology since 2000 which marked the development of the planning and implementation of the technology magnet program. Dr. Collins previously worked as an assistant principal at Seminole High School and Teague Middle, and taught social studies in Orange County

Public Schools for 10 years. She has worked as an educator since 1984. Dr. Collins received her Bachelors Degree from University of West Florida, Pensacola and both Masters and Doctoral Degrees from University of Central Florida, Orlando. She was

selected as the Florida nominee for the NASSP National Principal of the Year.