New Jersey District Becomes Apple Distinguished District

When the countdown clock hit zero in Linden High School's brand new TV studio, student anchors went live with a broadcast that would make professional newsrooms proud.

On December 11, more than 30 educators and technology leaders from across New Jersey gathered to celebrate Linden Public Schools earning a rare distinction. The district officially became an Apple Distinguished District in September after its final school, Soehl Middle School, achieved individual Apple Distinguished School status.

The honor caps a 13-year journey that transformed all 11 schools in this diverse urban district into models of digital innovation. Only a handful of districts nationwide hold this designation, which requires every school to demonstrate excellence in technology-driven learning and creativity.

But the real story wasn't the award itself. It was watching students run the show.

Student directors, anchors, camera operators and audio engineers produced a polished 20-minute livestream connecting four schools simultaneously. High school juniors Jeffrey Wilkins, Alexandra Vazquez and Victoria Vito anchored segments that jumped seamlessly from elementary podcast rooms to middle school news studios, showcasing students at every level creating content and solving problems with professional-grade equipment.

Technology teacher Howard Schultz built the multi-site system that made the broadcast possible. His behind-the-scenes work created a connected network across all campuses, putting creative control entirely in student hands.

The visiting superintendents and Apple Education representatives didn't just watch videos. They toured classrooms where students demonstrated real-world skills they're building every day, then participated in a student-led question and answer session that put young voices at the center of the conversation.

The Ripple Effect

Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins says the recognition sends a powerful message beyond Linden. "It says that a large, diverse, urban district like Linden can lead on a global stage and that our students are fully capable of innovating, creating and achieving at the highest levels," she explained.

Board member Brianna Armstead called the achievement "a testament to the hard work and dedication put into our students each and every day." Mayor Derek Armstead joined school board President Marlene Berghammer and Principal Charles Koonce in the packed studio to witness students demonstrate exactly what that dedication produces.

The broadcast ended with applause, high-fives and bright smiles as students across the district watched their peers shine on screen. They weren't just celebrating an award; they were proving what's possible when schools invest in giving every student the tools to create, innovate and lead.

When given the right technology and trust, students don't just meet expectations—they broadcast a vision of what education can become.