Dunbar High School

South and East Zone

Academy for Technology Excellence
Academy for Digital Excellence
Center for Math and Science

The Academy for Technology Excellence (ATE) & Academy for Digital Excellence program offers 9th-12th grade students’ hands-on experiences taught by IT certified instructors. All ATE & ADE students have the opportunity to acquire over 18 recognized industry standard computer certifications opportunities in areas associated with information technology (IT) and/or digital design. Honors weighted credit and dual enrollment credit are also offered for the ATE courses, paving the way toward post secondary education. Additionally, the programs meet the requirements for the Florida Gold Seal Scholarship. ATE seniors are issued laptops to use for their senior year in the program.

The Academy for Technology Excellence offers CompTIA A+ Essentials & A+ IT Technician, CompTIA Network+, Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) Windows Server 2008 Active Directory Configuration, (MCTS) Network Infrastructure Configuration, (MCTS) Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Enterprise Support Technician, & (MCITP) Enterprise Administrator, Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) for Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Access and Vista (MCAS). The Academy for Digital Excellence offers the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) for digital design featuring certification in web programs like Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, & Flash.

Academic Clubs: National Honor Society, Student
Government, Scholars Club, A-Team Challenge,
Odyssey of the Mind, Knowledge Master, Future
Business Leaders of America, JROTC, Future
Educators of America, Model UN, RHO Kappa,
Renaissance Club, Yearbook, MU Alpha Theta,
Science Olympiads, SADD, College Reach Out
Program (CROP) and Marching Band.

Sports: Fall Sports are Football, Volleyball,
Cross Country, Golf and Swimming. Winter
sports are Basketball, Soccer and Wrestling.
Spring Sports are Baseball, Softball, Track and
Tennis. We also offer a Martial Arts course.

Freshman - Senior Graduates of the ATE Program
The following are the 1st graduating class of the Academy for Technology Excellence program. These students started in the program as Freshman and have taken all four Tiers offered in the Academy for Technology Excellence.

Juan Quijada, 3 year graduate  (exception - got all certifications in 3 years)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Essentials
· CompTIA+ IT Technician
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Word
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist  Outlook
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist  PowerPoint
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Cody Nelson, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist  Outlook
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Danny Bell,  4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Application Specialist VISTA
 
Alan Gokool, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Word
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Justin Johnson, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
 
Adam Estes, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist  Outlook
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
· Microsoft Office Specialist Access
 
Reva Franks, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Essentials
· CompTIA+ IT Technician
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Jacob Osterhout, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Alexander Cintron, 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Kevin De Azevedo, 4 year graduate
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA Network+
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
Brent Hess , 4 year graduate  
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook
 
RYAN GATES – 4 Year Student
· Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
· Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
· Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP)
· Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS)
· Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST)
· Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)
· CompTIA A+ Certified Professional
· CompTIA Network+ Certified Professional
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist  Outlook
· Microsoft Certified Application Specialist for VISTA
· Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint
· Microsoft Office Specialist Word
· Microsoft Office Specialist Excel
· Microsoft Office Specialist Outlook

dhs.leeschools.net/dunbar/Dunbar/ate/ATE_CMS%20Application.pdf

Using authentic learning experiences and a curriculum built on Florida’s Goal Three Standards, Dunbar High School will challenge all students to develop skills and knowledge to continue learning throughout their lives.

Dunbar High School’s Academy for Technology Excellence, Academy for Digital Excellence and Center for Math and Science are on a mission to graduate students with the power to know no limits and have them reach beyond their projected potential. We do this by providing an ADVANCED
curriculum, by building STRENGTH in both body and mind and by nurturing good CHARACTER traits throughout their high school experience.

In 1926, Dunbar High School was constructed on what is now High Street. It was named for the poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar. The construction of this school, along with the adjacent Williams Primary, provided K-12 educational opportunities for neighborhood minority children. This Dunbar High School graduated its last class of students in 1962. In 1962, students moved to a new school on Edison Avenue which was named Dunbar Senior High School. Graduates emerged from the halls of this school from 1962 through 1969. In 1969, this school was closed due to a desegregation order, which forced high school aged minority students from the Dunbar community into other high schools throughout Lee County. The school reopened again as Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School, until the new middle school facility was erected. Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School moved to its new location, on Winkler Avenue Extension, just south of Colonial Boulevard. Then in the fall of 2000, Dunbar High School was reopened to high school age students. Initially, opening with 9th graders and then adding a new grade level each year, Dunbar High School continued to draw a high percentage of minority students to its location with a high percentage of free/reduce lunch students. By 2005, Dunbar High School’s minority to majority ratio was incongruent to the demographics of the district. Therefore, something had to be done to help eliminate minority isolation in the district.

Dunbar High School (DHS) needed to develop a unique attractor program that would assist in the prevention of minority group isolation and attract a diverse student population to the school. As technology continues to be an inherent societal need for all, DHS recognized a need to provide high-end technology training. In 2003-2004, a $3.3 million federally funded Magnet School Assistance Program Grant provided DHS with the chance to start the Academy for Technology Excellence (ATE) program. The process for reducing/eliminating isolation of minority subgroups was simple in its design. Our solution, create a program that would focus on a rigorous curriculum, leading to industry certification that would enticed a diverse and motivated student body that would want to come to a school that contains a high % of minority subgroups. The Academy for Technology Excellence (ATE) program was uniquely designed to provide 9th-12th grade students with the training needed to get over 14 most in-demand industry standard IT certifications from industry icons like Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, & Adobe. ATE prepares students for advanced information technology careers. Honors weighted credit and dual enrollment credit are also offered to attract students interested in college. Our District supported the design and insured that all zoned students were aware of the program. The District opened the opportunity up to South and East zoned schools. As long as the student was in the correct zone for school choice, then all that they needed to do was to fill-out an application of interest to be enrolled. The ATE program has truly enabled students to cross the digital divide and focus on essential skills to make them more marketable for their future. ATE empowers all students with hands-on authentic learning experiences, while certify them in information technology (IT) systems. ATE graduates have a competitive edge over other college-bound students and can graduate with the earning potential of $35,000-$50,000/year. Several of our ATE students have received employment right out of high school. Nicole Caron, a graduate at age 18 received employment with AT&T making $30,000/year. Another graduate, Tyrone Morgan, at 18, gained employment with Chico’s Headquarters making $40,000/year. (Both credited this to the ATE program with their success.)

Since the start of the ATE program in 2004, there is a definite demographic shift within the ATE program with regard to the percentage of minority and free/reduced lunch students. The ATE program reflects only 40% of its students on free/reduce lunch with the district average being 54%. A 14% significant difference to the District’s in regard to free/reduce. The district, as a whole minority percentage is at 49%, while the ATE program started at a 23% difference from the district it has shown a distinct trend towards our District’s % enrollment. Currently, at a 14% difference from the district, the ATE program reflects progress towards desegregation and equity goals that it set out to accomplish.

In 2006, the Academy program establish a local business advisory group whose purpose is to build awareness, analyze IT trends, facilitate growth and solicit support for sustainability of the ATE program. ATE has partnered with Microsoft, Entech, 1st Community Bank of SWFL, with various local IT businesses and with local colleges and universities.

In 2006-2007, the Academy for Technology Excellence program received the attention of Microsoft and was selected by Microsoft to be the 1st Microsoft certified high school in the nation. In fact, as we moved into our 3rd year of the program Microsoft took notice of all the certifications our students were achieving and was amazed. They decided to partner with us and named our school the 1st Microsoft Certified High School in the Nation. They declared our students as their "Certifying Heroes". They will be using our program as a pilot program to be mirrored at other high schools throughout the United States and beyond. As a significant part of this partnership, they produced a video of our program found on our website (http://dhs.leeschools.net/). As a result, we are able to continue to offer the lasts IT certifications to high school students.

In June of 2008, the initial grant funds were exhausted and now we are looking for ways to continue to sustain our programs needs. The state of Florida is developing an initiative that requires all technical and career education courses lead to certification.

To date, our program continues to receive numerous awards and hope to continue to offer the latest in IT certifications to our students.