"I think we are really giving kids the basis to move on to high school and be familiar with those concepts in terms of social media, in terms of writing essays online, and collaborating with one another for group projects," Corkum said.

She also said the interactions encouraged in a controlled social media environment can help students beyond the classroom setting as they learn about acceptable behavior in social media interactions.

"We want them to have a safe place. We want them to kind of have their own place. But, we still want to monitor it," she said.

Gartside said even as the new technology goes into place the school remains committed to education by reinforcing the basics through new programs at the school as well.

"If you are not a good writer, technology alone does not help you. So, you want the kids to have that base core of reading, writing and arithmetic," he said.

Gartside added that for all the new initiatives and new ideas, one commitment at the school remains the undisputed focus -- the commitment to share long-established values with students in the tradition of Catholic education.

"As a principal it's not just to be excited that kids are coming back, it's to be in a school that has strong values and that we know everyone is pulling together to put those values in a real technology-rich environment. I love to come to work every day, and on the first day of school it is in a special way," he said.