PRESS RELEASE
Date: August 10th, 2020
Contact: Jessica Zanatta, Communications and Admissions Coordinator
562-435-4496, Ext. 1241, jessica.zanatta@
St. Anthony High School Launches New Model for Return to School
Long Beach, CA - This summer, St. Anthony High School, named the “Best Private High School” in the Greater Long Beach area recently, has been quietly planning to safely welcome students back on campus this fall with a blended learning model that enables half the student body to be in class on campus while the other half experiences the same class live-streamed, remotely. This new model, labeled the “Transitional Hybrid Learning Model”, is possible due to St. Anthony’s relatively small size (420 students), experienced tech-savvy teachers, and integrated iPad learning platform.
However, like so many plans developed these days, the launch of this new learning model had to be put on hold, as all public and private high schools are currently prohibited from reopening campuses until the Coronavirus infection rate consistently declines and public health officials deem it safe to return.
The good news though is that all this thoughtful planning and readiness, with implementation of health and safety precautions and advanced technology in place to move forward, paid off.
On Monday, August 17th, St. Anthony High School will welcome its new freshman class to orientation, followed by the full start of school for all students on Wednesday, August 19th, all remotely. But this year there’s a difference in that remote learning.
During the summer months, St. Anthony’s already effective remote learning college preparatory model based on iPad technology was improved to include the ability for teachers to live-stream instruction from their classrooms to students at home. New equipment was purchased and installed in every classroom and training provided, enabling teachers to access St. Anthony’s hefty broadband capacity and onsite teaching resources to better students learning remotely. This real-time instruction enables students to remain connected and helps ensure no student is left behind.
In addition to this change, the school modified its daily schedule to include a rotating block schedule. When school is once again able to open for on-campus classes, students will keep the same rotating block schedule they’re used to, easing the transition. Whether students are learning from home or on campus, learning will be consistent and synchronous as teachers broadcast instruction real-time from their classrooms to students at home.
This schedule will be consistently maintained daily from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to enable patterns and work habits to form. Breaks and lunch time are included, and some “flex days” are built in for club meetings, personal and college counseling services, leadership development and planning. Fridays offer half-day instruction.
Once it is safe to return to campus, students will return in alphabetical cohorts with in-class instruction one day, and remote instruction the next. This will enable the entire student body to learn simultaneously; half remotely and the other half in-person. .
Vice Principal, Dr. Jose De Vera, shared that, “This new model allows us to maximize and continue instructional time, both synchronously and asynchronously, to provide students the opportunity to work at their own pace.”
St. Anthony High School’s creative, flexible plan will provide a solid platform for continuous learning, even though the coming school year has many uncertainties. The school offers a competitive college preparatory curriculum that includes 22 Advanced Placement classes, rigorous, personalized instruction, and letter grades at the end of every semester.
The only Catholic high school in Long Beach, celebrating its 100th Centennial Year throughout the 2020-2021 school year, St. Anthony High School has a long, strong tradition within the Long Beach community. Registration and curricular information is available by visiting the school's website: www.LongBeachSaints.org, or by contacting the high school at 562-435-4496.
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