FONTANA, CA – Southridge Tech Middle School has been redesignated as a Microsoft Showcase School, reaffirming the school’s commitment to providing its students with access to digital platforms and bridging the technology gap. Southridge Tech was first designated in 2018.

Southridge Tech is one of just three schools in California and 30 schools across the United States to receive the designation in 2023, joining a global network of schools from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Australia.

“We are proud of Southridge Tech’s recognition as a Microsoft Showcase School and the strong support from their devoted MIE experts and instructional leadership teams over the years,” said Dr. Roy Rogers, FUSD Director of Middle School Instruction, who served as the Southridge Tech Principal from 2017 to 2023. “We look forward to their ongoing collaboration with Microsoft and their sustained commitment to excellence achieved through dedication and expansion.”

Southridge Tech’s implementation of Microsoft programs and technologies have raised the bar for student achievement at the school. Online learning has been incorporated successfully into classroom lessons through blended learning, which combines traditional learning and technology, and has supported a wide range of student groups, including English learners, special education and gifted and talented education.

As an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme campus, Southridge Tech has integrated Microsoft 365 products and apps that support students engaging in virtual discussions, collaboration with their peers, and immersion in project-based learning, fostering the exchange of ideas and knowledge among students, and enabling teachers to implement inquiry-based lessons.

As a Microsoft Showcase School, Southridge Tech now hosts an afterschool robotics program, with a focus on mechanical engineering and coding as well as targeting students who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM fields. Southridge Tech has also formed an E-sports team, which will compete in Microsoft Minecraft and Super Smash Brothers tournaments.

Southridge Tech has a host of Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) experts on staff who play crucial roles in driving the school’s tech advancement and programs, offering instructional support, modeling and planning lessons, and providing onsite professional development opportunities school staff and across Fontana Unified.

“Having access to Microsoft products provides numerous benefits for Southridge Tech students. The skills they learn here will give them a leg up when they get to high school,” Southridge Tech Principal Amber Knight said. “As an International Baccalaureate student, immersing themselves in tech will help the students be competitive worldwide.”

As a Microsoft Showcase School, Southridge Tech has access to a network of schools and MIE experts, where they can share insights, best practices and engage in local or global Microsoft events, as well as Microsoft offers and product support, digital transformation guidance and current research.

Sequoia Middle School joined Southridge Tech as Fontana Unified’s second Microsoft Showcase School, earning the designation in 2021.

“Southridge Tech continues to be a community leader by providing equity in education to their students through guaranteed access to technology,” Fontana Unified Superintendent Miki R. Inbody said. “Congratulations to the Southridge Tech administration, faculty, staff and MIE experts for their dedication and diligence in shaping our students into future leaders.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

FUSD_MICROSOFT1: Yuliana Carrillo works on programming during a coding class at Southridge Tech Middle School, which has been named a 2023 Microsoft Showcase School for integrating technology into its curriculum and instruction.

FUSD_MICROSOFT2: Southridge Tech Middle School eighth grader Izack Flores develops his coding skills. Southridge Tech has been named a Microsoft Showcase School for the second time after first earning the recognition in 2018.