Technology Funding

CDM’s previous Principal, Fal Asrani, brought new passion to our campus in the fall of 2005.  She has a deep love for education and providing maximum opportunity to all CDM students.  One of Fal’s initiatives was bringing CDM teaching into the 21^st century.  The transition included updating the academic mindsets of faculty and students alike, raising expectations, and creating a learning environment that was first-class.

The faculty, students and parents partnered to create a technology upgrade that would bring CDM into the 21^st century.  Fal led the development of a 5 year strategic plan, which at its crux included a technology overhaul for the campus.  The CDM Foundation led an additional fundraising initiative in 2005-06 that was successful in funding over $500,000 in hardware and software technology upgrades on campus.  Included in the initiative were two computer labs (PC and Mac), an entirely Wi-Fi campus, Internet cafes, language labs, enhanced classroom technology and the teacher training to make all of the technology upgrades work.  This new platform is nothing new to students, but it was a significant step forward for high school academics, and one that will benefit CDM students for years to come.

This initiative has been a resounding success.  CDM now has cutting edge hardware and software, and short-term investments will focus on training and minor hardware/software investments to maximize this $600,000 investment.

Intellectual & Staff Funding

The most overlooked area in high school funding is staff resources.  Most parents and students accept what is provided in faculty and administration.  Most of those parents and students also expect CDM to provide them the greatest college matriculation opportunities, after all CDM has a very successful matriculation story.

Students enter CDM from local highly successful public and private schools, many award winning, and expect that CDM will automatically matriculate them to exceptional colleges.  CDM does have a successful matriculation story, but it does not come without a price.

CDM has approximately 6 counselors, of which 2 are paid for by the Foundation.  Without the funding from The Foundation, the counseling ratios would be over 500:1, versus 325:1 currently.  In addition to these two counseling positions, the Foundation pays for counselor support and a school nurse.  In aggregate, the Foundation reduces the ratio significantly, allowing counselors to focus on their primary task.  This support allows counselors to focus on college letters of recommendation for seniors in the fall while supporting the needs of underclassmen changing schedules and balancing needs.  Increased presence of a school nurse provides an additional safety network while serving the psychological needs of young students.

Additional Programs

We have invested over $7,500,000 since 1996 in our children’s needs and created a better CDM.  In addition to the above, we have funded: Music program (2 assistants to teach other instruments), grading assistants, technology lab assistants, community service program, staff development, dance floor, all-weather track, science lab upgrades, roof repairs, parking lot repairs, theater repairs, supplemental textbooks, classroom white-boards, school librarian and many others areas.

Simply said, your money is at work creating a better CDM.  Please support the Foundation and your child’s education.  CDM is a phenomenal learning environment, but we need the support of all to sustain our success.

Thank you,

The CDM Foundation