* All classrooms are connected to the school district’s private fiber optic ring. Students can access high-speed Internet from every classroom.

* Because of increased demand, AASD’s Internet pipeline has increas-ed to 40 mbps. A connection to Internet 2 Lab has been added.

* Parents can check student progress through ProgressBook. Real-time grades, homework updates, school announcements and the ability to communicate quickly with teachers via e-mail are important features of the system.

* Thanks to Pennsylvania Classrooms for the Future grants in 2007 and 2008, Altoona Area High School core curriculum classrooms are now outfitted with interactive white boards, digital projectors and wireless laptop computers.

* Because of these grants, extensive professional development for AAHS staff promotes true integration of educational technology.

* Mobile computer carts are used in all schools to help integrate technology into the curriculum.

* Elementary students, kindergar-ten through grade 6, use technology as a tool for project-based learning.

* McAuliffe Heights at Irving was the district’s first digital school. Each student there has an Apple iBook, a wireless laptop computer.

* A one-to-one laptop initiative has been expanded into grades 3-6 at Wright Elementary.

* Elementary classrooms have been outfitted with interactive whiteboards, mounted projectors and student response systems.

* The AAHS world language/multi-media lab features a state-of-the-art digital design.

* Student-operated Mountain Lion Television has the same digital technology used by the major TV networks. Students write and produce a morning news show that is telecast throughout AAHS as well as “The Lion’s Den,” a lively news program telecast to the community.

* The Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation, launched in 2002 by the AASD in cooperation with Pennsylvania school districts, has successfully completed its seventh year. Enrolled students can access the curriculum 24 hours daily.