Technology

Technology is an integral part of a well-rounded Moorestown Friends School education. MFS students are skillful, creative, responsible, and strategic technology users who are prepared to make effective contributions to the rapidly changing world around them.

Technology Curriculum

Technology is especially impactful when it is thoughtfully integrated into the curriculum because it engages the imaginations of 21st century learners, making for exciting, relevant learning environments. Our goal is to graduate students who are not only technologically literate, but who also understand how they might begin to leverage technology for the greater good and to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. To this end, MFS adheres to the International Society of Technology Educators’ (ISTE) standards for educators and students.  

All three divisions and all departments incorporate STEM and project-based learning opportunities, including instruction in CAD programs, 3D printing, and multimedia creation. The technology and library departments work together closely to offer the latest research tools and techniques.  

Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are challenged by a dynamic, hands-on computational thinking and coding class that includes opportunities for collaborative problem solving, debugging, and algorithmic thinking. Formal computer lab classes also begin in kindergarten and remain a requirement through eighth grade. Additionally, each fifth grader receives an iPad for the school year and uses it to access math apps, classroom texts, email, and Google Apps.

Middle School computer science classes are unique in that they support students at a crucial juncture where they still need instruction using school tech tools but are also hungry for new challenges. Computer classes in grades 6-8 offer HTML, CSS, web design, UX design, and Java while integrating use of Google apps and myMFS, our course portal, where students in grades 3-12 access class resources, assignments, and calendars. Recent tech activities include wearable electronics, 3D printing, and robotics.

Upper School students have the opportunity to take major courses in computer science, including AP Computer Science, AP Computer Science Principles, Computer Science Principles Honors, Robotics, and Communication and Media Technologies. Recent minor course offerings include Advanced Topics in Computer Science, Disruptive Technologies, Intro to Video Production, and Adobe Photoshop. Journalism and Yearbook are examples of additional minor courses that rely heavily on technology and creation of digital media. Coursework prepares students for advanced study in college in a variety of fields, including artificial intelligence, computer programming, and communications.   

Skills taught include: research, website development, CAD skills and 3D printing, desktop publishing, graphic design, digital media, word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database design, internet safety, and computer ethics. Whenever possible, computer activities take advantage of opportunities to build on material presented in other courses, from language arts to health education. 

Facilities

Moorestown Friends School boasts a technology infrastructure tailored to enhance the learning experience at every level. Beginning with our youngest learners, we provide classroom carts equipped with devices for grades up to fourth grade, ensuring access to digital resources from an early age. Moving into Middle School, each student is furnished with a 1:1 Chromebook, fostering seamless integration of technology into their academic journey. In the Upper School, students have the flexibility to bring their own devices or opt for a school-provided Chromebook, accommodating diverse learning preferences.

While Chromebooks form the backbone of our technology ecosystem, MFS also offers a variety of computing options, including PCs, Macs, and iPads, ensuring versatility and compatibility across different platforms. For students interested in multimedia production, we provide video production equipment and a dedicated editing studio, empowering advanced learners to explore creative avenues.

Interactive TV/whiteboards adorn every classroom, facilitating dynamic and interactive learning experiences. Our campus-wide Wi-Fi network ensures uninterrupted connectivity, enabling Upper School students to seamlessly integrate their personal devices into their academic pursuits. The MFS Library serves as a hub for research and collaboration, equipped with a computer processing center and access to online catalogs and subscription databases, accessible both on-campus and remotely.

Our internet is powered by a dedicated Fiber Optic line delivering blazing-fast speeds of 2 Gigs up and 2 Gigs down, our technology infrastructure at MFS is designed to support and inspire the next generation of learners in their educational journey.