Small autonomous high school
	Created in 2004, the School of Digital Media and Design allows students to explore multimedia, visual arts, and production fields while learning the traditional core academic subjects. The school’s two primary goals are: 1) to increase the number of college-ready high school graduates, particularly among low-income and minority populations; and 2) to improve students’ postsecondary options, whether they be college, technical training, or the workplace. The program helps students master high-level communication, technological, and critical thinking skills through multimedia and collaborative projects. The School of Digital Media and Design is one of four small high schools that make up the Kearny High Educational Complex.
	A team comprised of English, social studies, science, art, and media technology teachers manage and focus the activities and projects at each grade level. Technology is used across the curriculum. Students are divided into two “institutes” designed to enhance personalized instruction for all students. The Junior Institute consists of 9th and 10th grade students, while the Senior Institute is dedicated to 11th and 12th grade students. Students participate in advisory periods where they meet in small groups with an adult to focus on their educational, social, and career goals. Students use management skills to work on “real-world” projects organized around their personal interests. Electives may include Set Design, Fashion and Costume Design, Advertising and Product Design, Film Production and Editing, Radio, and TV Production and Editing. The 11th-grade project requires students to produce an authentic product for a client. The client establishes the need, the goals, and the production and presentation parameters. The final product must meet accepted professional standards of quality as judged by the client.