iPad Program
Beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year, Saint Patrick High School became the first high school in the Archdiocese of Chicago to use iPads as an educational tool during the school day. The initiative began with the Class of 2016, and will expand to the whole school with the 2013-2014 year.
We have chosen the iPad as the technological platform due to its many advantages. One of the main advantages is its cost effectiveness compared to traditional textbooks. In addition to the economic advantages, the iPad offers tremendous organizational capabilities. A third advantage is the experience your son will gain using this engaging piece of technology to enhance his daily instruction and his learning opportunities in preparation for his college education and workplace skills.
Families will be required to purchase an iPad for their sons. Through Apple, Saint Patrick High School has secured a pricing option of $379.00 for the iPad 2 with 16 GB of memory, a savings of $20.00 from the retail price, in addition to a tax savings. The iPad 3 with 16 GB of memory can be purchased for $499.00 (or $479.00 if we have volume purchasing levels) and the iPad 3 with 32 GB of memory can be purchased for $599.00 (or $579.00 if we have volume purchasing levels). The main difference between the iPad 2 and the iPad 3 is the screen and camera resolutions. An iPad with 16 GB of memory should be sufficient for a student’s needs if he manages his applications and data usage.
In addition to the purchase of the iPad, there will be an additional charge for the apps and textbooks that Saint Patrick High School will secure for our students’ use. That charge is still being determined and will be announced by early summer.