St. Francis Levels Education Playing Field Through Technology

Students at one of Watsonville's private high schools have equal access to technology this fall, a move that may help the already high-achieving student body do even more.

All of the 221 students at received an iPad when they went back to school this week.

"Now each student has access to equal learning tools," said senior Clancy Ryan, a Prunedale resident and captain of the football team. "I just feel it will give us new access to better quality programs."

St. Francis, which opened a decade ago on East Lake Avenue north of the city limits, sends nearly all of its students onto college and they always get their first-choice schools. Seventy-six percent of the student body participate in sports, and many three-sport athletes still bring home top grades.

"Our kids are really focused on college prep," said Michele Bowling, assistant for development at St. Francis. 

New principal and school president Patrick Lee also is excited about the technology upgrade. He said it's a great tool to expand students' learning and also be a greener campus.

Previously, St. Francis students had to buy their own books for class—like college students do—so the iPad program will save families money.

"It's really helpful so far," Ryan said.

And students haven't downloaded too many games yet; Lee joked that he has more fun apps on his iPad than his students.

Other new additions at the Catholic high school for the 2012-13 school year are a dance team and a surf team to their 13 sports programs, as well as a new head football coach and three new teachers.

Lee is stoked to become a Shark. He took the job after spending 27 years—including four as a student—at the same all-boys Catholic high school in Southern California.

"I figured at some point I needed to grow up and graduate," Lee said.

He, his wife and their two sons, ages 8 and 12, moved to Corralitos five weeks ago. Lee's boys will attend Holy Cross in Santa Cruz, where his wife will teach. He said being able to commute the 7.5 miles to St. Francis on his bike is a huge plus.

"This is really different than Long Beach," Lee said.