The Microsoft IT Academy program is an exciting new program that started at Capital in September 2007. It is a complete technology training solution for faculty and students that includes a coordinated curriculum, courseware and online collaboration tools to help them achieve certification in Microsoft technologies. Currently Capital City Academy is an accredited centre for the Microsoft Office Specialist qualifications. The program framework provides a consistent instruction and certification process aimed at accelerating a student's entry into the workforce or advancement of their current career. It is also a lifelong personalised learning solution that delivers low cost and accessible ICT training for students, teachers, lifelong learners, and also other individuals within the community.

Being part of the Microsoft Academy means that our students gain experience in the latest technologies and have a wide range of career options. We as an institution get the instant recognition and credibility of the Microsoft brand along with a comprehensive curriculum and online collaboration tools that support students and faculty. Communities and businesses benefit by having access to a pool of highly trained individuals and an employable workforce.

Membership in the program provides special savings and resources for a comprehensive learning solution that positions us, along with our Sports and Arts specialisms, to being an innovative IT in education leader in our community.

Curriculum

Microsoft Office Specialist is the official Microsoft Office certification for desktop productivity. Certification is available in the programs listed below. Expert level certifications are offered for Word and Excel. Exams are available for Office 2003.

Students at CCA who are enrolled on the Microsoft Academy program use "live" or real applications to provide the most authentic evaluation of their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Students use personalized learning tools to complete each module which lasts from 2 to 3 months. When they complete each module they sit a mock test using Certiport's performance-based testing software "CertiPrep". This uses specialised examination software while simultaneously running the actual Office programs. Gaining 80% on these tests ensures that students are ready for their live "online test", which gives them a certificate from Microsoft for that module. Students prepare for their certification exams by using officially licensed Microsoft Office training, courseware, assessments, and practice tests.

What do our students gain at the end of the course?

KS3 and KS4 Students

High achieving students in ICT are given the option to follow the Microsoft Office Specialist program in Year 9. In 2007-2008, 28 Year 9 students are following the Microsoft Office Specialist curriculum as a pilot group in a view to offer this opportunity to all high achieving Year 9 students at CCA in the future.

In KS4, Year 10 and Year 11 students have the option to choose Microsoft Academy as one of their optional subjects. In 2007-2008 we have 21 Year 10 students and 3 Year 11 students following the Microsoft Office Specialist curriculum.

To achieve a LEVEL 2 - GCSE grade A*-C, students at CCA complete the following curriculum:

• Microsoft Word (Core) - mandatory module
• And two of the following optional modules
• Microsoft Excel (Core)
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access

Sixth Form (Year 12 and Year 13)

Our sixth form students who choose to do Microsoft Academy follow the same curriculum as above to achieve a LEVEL 2 qualification in Year 12. Students who successfully complete a Level 2 are given the opportunity to achieve a LEVEL 3 - A levels by completing the Microsoft Word (Expert) and Microsoft Excel (Expert) modules in Year 13.

Management and Teaching

The Microsoft Academy Program is managed and taught by a pool of highly trained and experienced faculties. All Microsoft Academy centres are required to have a Microsoft Certified Master Instructor to administer the course and Microsoft Certified Instructors for every module taught at the centre.