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The Math, Science & Technology Magnet Academy at Theodore Roosevelt High School became the first school in the state to win national recognition for leveraging technology.

It is also the first time that a school with a predominantly Latino student body received the honor from the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA), according to Eastern Group Publications.

The school, one of 16 Partnership for LA Schools within LA Unified, won the Student Voices Award for integrating technology with their Service-Learning Project to explore community and civil rights. In their project, they used mapping technology and data-driven research to look at how public schools, gentrification, affordable housing and other factors were shaping the community. Then, they showed how the community’s needs can be met.

LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines issued a statement saying, “I continue to be awed by our future leaders and their exemplary success in mastering and integrating technology.”

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said, “Congratulations to the Math Science Technology Magnet Academy at Roosevelt High School for winning the Elise Brumback scholarship and integrating technology into each classroom so students will be prepared for college and 21st century careers.”