In 2018, Futuro Verde began requiring our IB diploma students to have a personal laptop for use in classes daily. The implementation of the laptop requirement has been a success and our first generation of IB students now research regularly using their personal laptop and the school subscription to EBSCO research databases. Students also use their laptops to access the applications available to us as a Google For Education school, like Classroom, among others. In Classroom, students have a digital connection to all of their in person subject matter and teachers regularly use Classroom for projects, announcements, homework assignments and as a communication tool. Finally, the need to have a laptop for word processing projects throughout the school day, and from any location, across our school campus make having a personal laptop a huge convenience for our students.
Starting in 2019, Futuro Verde will require that all 9th through 12th grade students have a personal laptop, extending our current requirement down from only the 11th and 12th grade diploma program grades and into our full High School. Students in 7th and 8th grade are encouraged to own a laptop, but not yet required to do so.
For parents with students going into 9th through 11th grade in 2019 and for any new families into 12th grade, we remind you of the suggested laptop specifications already shared with our current 11th grade families when they purchased their child’s laptop. As you make this investment for your child, please follow the below recommendations. Thank you for assuring your child has the tools necessary to be a successful High School student at Futuro Verde!
Laptop minimum requirements:
- i3 processor
- 4GB RAM
- Mac or PC, 2013 or newer
- Windows 7, 8 or 10 or Ubuntu o MacOSX 10 or higher
- WIFI capabilities
- A Chromebook, though acceptable, is not recommended due to its software limitations
- A tablet with an external keyboard, though acceptable, is not recommended
- A smart phone is NOT an acceptable substitution for the laptop requirement
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the student laptop requirement, please don’t hesitate to contact me for an individual appointment time to discuss your concerns. Thank you, again, for your support and commitment to your child’s learning!
