The Schools of McKeel Academy empower students using Spectrum Enterprise fiber

“What we do differently at the Schools of McKeel Academy is position ourselves to be able to take advantage of advances in educational technology. Having connectivity to do that is critical to our mission.” 

Craig Black, IT Project Manager, The Schools of McKeel Academy

The Schools of McKeel Academy consist of three institutions in Lakeland, Florida. These provide free education to children in grades pre-K through 12, employing a technology-focused curriculum. Established in 1998 as a high-performing charter school system, the schools have built a reputation for academic excellence.

In 2023, existing connectivity partner Spectrum Enterprise delivered major enhancements at all three schools, including the installation of a fiber circuit that enables ultra-high speed data transmission.

“It’s critical that our classes have access to the internet because that’s where content is being delivered to our students,” says Craig Black, IT Project Manager, The Schools of McKeel Academy. “So it’s good that we can rely on the stability of Spectrum Enterprise connectivity to all our classrooms.”

The installation of the fiber circuits was accomplished in a matter of hours, with no disruption to school activities. Today the schools utilize their increased internet access to enable software-as-a-service (SaaS) educational programming and access to online video and learning platforms.

The additional bandwidth also supports The Schools of McKeel Academy’s WiFi network. Every Academy student, from preschool to the 12^th grade, is equipped with his or her own tablet. This helps students stay connected to their school’s learning platform, whether on campus or at home.

Because Black has been part of the Schools of McKeel Academy for many years, he understands how a commitment to growth via technology has come to mean different things.

“I think what I would say sets us apart with our approach to technology is being nimble,” he explains. “We are always willing to move whenever needs change for our students, our teachers and our community. We are always ready to adapt to the next thing as soon as it makes sense for us. We need a partner who is as ready to be flexible as we are, and able to grow with our needs.”