Castlemont Business and Information Technology School
8601 MacArthur Blvd.
Oakland, CA 94605 (Map & Directions)
510-879-3010 x 443
Rick Gaston, Principal
rick.gaston@ousd.k12.ca.us
Overview
The Castlemont Business and Information Technology School (CBITS) combines the best of what Castlemont has offered in the past with the positives of a small school environment – a strong sense of being well-known and belonging to a supportive, respectful learning community. CBITS opened its doors in the fall of 2004 on the campus of the former Castlemont High School. Four small schools now make up the Castlemont Community of Small Schools. The schools share a strong interscholastic sports program and the proud Castlemont tradition.
We welcome all students – including Special Education, English Language Learners, and GATE students - to a rigorous academic program preparing them to attend a four-year university. Students develop skills enabling them to earn professional entry-level positions in business and computer-based workplaces. Coursework often involves students in working collaboratively on real-world problems and projects using computers and other technological tools. School Advisors and other mentors provide personalized support to promote the success of all students. The school values relationships with business partners highly, in order to connect students to learning experiences and mentors in the 21st Century workplace.
Demographics and Culture
The school serves about 430 students in grades 9-12, 53% of whom are Latino, 39% are African-American, 4% Pacific Islander, and 4% Asian. About 38% of our students are English Learners. The cultural and personal background that each person brings to the school community is publicly valued, respected, and celebrated in the regular curriculum and special events.
Curriculum and Instruction
Project-Based Learning (PBL) and extensive incorporation of technology tools are the foundation of the CBITS approach to teaching and learning. Students often work on problems in teams, and celebrate their work in public exhibitions to the school and external community. Teachers work in collaborative small teams to support student success. Students are especially prepared for Advanced Placement and college work through participation in the AVID program. Students in the upper grades choose between Business, Computer Programming, and Computer Graphics elective specialties.
Student Outcomes
In surveys, our students report greater feelings of safety and connection to school than they did in the large high school. Our test scores on the California Standards Tests rose in all areas in our first year compared with Castlemont HS, and our students’ results on the CA High School Exit Exam have improved dramatically. Our attendance has also risen in each of our first two years of existence. See https://mail.cbitschool.org/Schoolwide/Progressdata.nsf for specific data.
A New Technology Replication Site
CBITS is a member of the nationally-recognized New Technology Foundation (NTF) network of small schools. NTF supports the school in using PBL and technology tools throughout the school program. Many of our classrooms have a 1:1 student:computer ratio.
Other partnerships and affiliations
• National Foundation for the Teaching of Entrepeneurship (NFTE)
• Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)
• Bay Area Coalition for Equitable Schools (BayCES)
• Children’s Hospital Health Clinic offers free services to all students
• DUSTY – UC Berkeley 21st Century grant partner offers free after-school tutoring and multimedia programs
• Oakland Technology Exchange (OTX) – free Pentium computers and training for families
We invite you and your organization to partner with our school in supporting our students’ rise to success in the 21st Century.