​Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology

is a computer science magnet school committed to integrating coding into it's curriculum while developing the characteristics of our namesake within our students as innovators, problem-solvers, and critical thinkers. Our curriculum includes a variety of opportunities that empower students to be leaders who think critically and persevere through challenges. In building a strong commitment toward excellence, students will engage in a curriculum with high standards and expectations. 

LITERACY 

The teachers at Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology are dedicated to developing lifelong readers and writers through a balanced literacy approach, which incorporates both whole language and phonics based instruction in Reading and Writing Workshops utilizing State-of-the-art tools and strategies. As a coding immersion school, students will have opportunities to develop characters and stories using various digital applications and create interactive media to present ideas and topics. Our curriculum allows teachers to use performance assessments and progressions to personalize learning paths with literacy-rich content area instruction. 

MATH

Starting in the 2017-2018 school year, all CMS schools will begin using EnVision Math 2.0, a comprehensive math program that provides focus, consistency, and rigor of the Common Core State Standards. This new program empowers students by helping them identify relationships, ask questions, and try different approaches to solve problems. Students will engage in learning experiences that help deepen their ability to think mathematically. At Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology, our teachers will personalize math instruction with tiered activities, learning centers, and technology to support learning styles and readiness. EnVision Math 2.0 allows teachers to use flexible grouping, connected topics, and lessons to provide students with authentic learning experiences.

SOCIAL STUDIES 

DJV teachers will use a newly adopted Social Studies curriculum from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that was customized and developed by CMS teachers, the only adoption of its kind in the nation. The curriculum integrates literacy into Social Studies content across all levels. It also uses a variety of grade level standards to establish a foundation of historical knowledge, skills, and values with both our local and global communities. Resources used with the curriculum include Social Studies Weekly, a consumable newspaper with an online version allowing students to set up their own accounts. 

SCIENCE

At Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology, students will engage in science using inquiry based learning, hands-on experiences with interactive science kits and Discovery Education. Teachers use science content based literature, aligned to standards to help students learn to read and write. Students will also be challenged with formative assessments to help improve academic vocabulary. 

PERSONALIZED LEARNING 

We are the opposite of a one-size-fits-all approach, because we are all learning together. Using formal and informal data, our classrooms will provide a personalized learning environment for all students K - 5. Personalized learning in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools is focused on student development in four areas: whole child, student ownership, mastery learning and multiple pathways. Designed with flexibility in mind, our classrooms offer multiple areas of workspace that are open, bright and adaptable to the needs of learning and collaboration. Please visit the CMS Personalized Learning Page for additional information on this initiative. 

CODE TO THE FUTURE 

Dorothy J. Vaughan Academy of Technology is the first full computer science focused magnet school in CMS. We are partnering with coaches from Code to the Future, a nationally recognized provider of computer science immersion curriculum to bring this experience to CMS families. Our collaboration with Code to the Future provides comprehensive training for our staff and an all inclusive curriculum. This partnership will prepare students to meet the growing demand for jobs of the future utilizing major projects such as Epic Builds. Students will work with amazing materials including Scratch, Legos, and Minecraft to share projects in various Epic Build Showcases. At DJV, we offer a one-to-one technology ratio so every child has access and opportunities to learn computer programming.