New York High School Ditches Traditional Texts, Deploys Digital Library

  • By Kevin Hudson
  • 09/11/13

Archbishop Stepinac High School, a private all-boys school in White Plains, NY, has gone to an all-digital textbook library this school year, after two years and more than $1 million in infrastructure preparations.

"We have really set the stage for cutting edge technology in the region," said Frank Portanova, Stepinac's vice principal, in a release. "Having placed Smart Boards in all of our classrooms and a brand new wireless technology center in the school for students, this was the next logical step. Not only will this cut costs for parents, it will also prepare our students for their post-secondary studies."

The savings are expected to be about $350 to $450 per student, annually, according to a release, as students will pay an annual $150 fee for access to the 40-textbook digital library rather than the $500-$600 that seven traditional textbooks cost each student, each year.

The digital textbook library can be accessed through a Web site or application for various Android and iOS devices to gain access to its College Prep Digital Library and the Honors/AP Digital Library, according to a release.

The school partnered with Pearson for implementation of the digital textbook library.  All 675 of Stepinac's students will use digital textbooks exclusively this year. According to a release, the school had worked with Pearson previously to offer specific digital books to its students but this is the first time all of its textbooks will be online.

"Our digital library application has been a standard for collegiate students around the world. However, this is the first time that a high school is taking full advantage of this program," said Lisa Alfasi, Pearson account general manager, private and parochial schools, in a release. "We are pleased to be able to create a customized program for Stepinac. Many other schools are taking a look at this new program and jumping on this educational technology bandwagon."

About the Author

Kevin Hudson is a freelance journalist based in Portland, Oregon. He can be reached at [email protected].

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