Bringing education online: ABQ charter school students receive free laptops

Hundreds of middle and high school students lined up with their families outside of the Albuquerque School of Excellence gymnasium on Saturday, not for a game or assembly, but to pick up new laptops.

In a first for both Verizon and New Mexico, the company brought its nationwide education initiative Verizon Innovative Learning to the Albuquerque School of Excellence, making it the 34th school in the county to join the program this fall.

Through the initiative, Verizon partners with schools to provide students with necessary technology, like laptops and internet data, so they can use online education programs.

Each student who attended received a free Google Chromebook, charger, protective case, carry bag and two years of free internet data.

In total, Verizon provide 656 devices with data plans to the Albuquerque School of Excellence, according to a press release.

Verizon also partnered with the nonprofit organization Digital Promise to provide teachers and staff with training on how to help students use their new laptops and how to integrate this new technology into their classrooms.

“I’m incredibly proud to bring this program to Albuquerque,” said Matthew Clark, Verizon senior government affairs manager. “I’ve always loved Albuquerque and to be able to hook (students) up with the tools needed to bridge the digital divide is incredible.”

Albuquerque School of Excellence Executive Director Mustafa Ayik said he’s excited for his students to have the opportunity to access education whenever they need to.

“It really gives us confidence and joy that students will be able to utilize these Chromebooks at home and improve their learning and contribute to their success at school,” he said.

Albuquerque City Councilor Renee Grout represents District 9, where the Albuquerque School of Excellence resides. Grout, at the event, said one student told her he’d never had something like this before.

“That really warms my heart,” Grout said. “To see his smile and the learning opportunities he’s going to have is pretty special.”