ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Allentown School District has unveiled more plans for its new Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology, including expansion of the theme-based high school to include middle schoolers.
“This is big work,” ASD Executive Director of Instructional Leadership Jennifer Bryant said at last week's school board meeting.
“These will be big rocks to move as we’re transitioning this high school.”
Bridgeview Academy will replace the district’s Building 21 High School, at 265 Lehigh St., starting in the coming school year.
As the district’s latest theme-based school, Bridgeview Academy will focus on preparing students for artificial intelligence, computer science and health care careers.
“We are looking to make sure we have a future-focused learning environment."Jennifer Bryant, ASD’s executive director of instructional leadership
There will be two learning tracks. Students will study health care or will focus on computer science and AI together.
Bridgeview Academy will transition to its new learning themes in phases, introducing computer science courses first in fall.
The new school was inspired by other schools throughout the country, such as Seckinger High School in Buford, Georgia, which has a three-year AI pathway, Bryant said.
“We are looking to make sure we have a future-focused learning environment,” Bryant said of the new ASD school.
New courses
The district has created a two-year transition plan for Bridgeview Academy that includes updating its curriculums.
That includes revising a freshman foundations course meant to help ninth-graders transition to high school. It will include an additional section on the foundations of AI.
“That way we’ll really be able to open kids’ eyes to like, what is AI?” Bryant said.
“You don’t just have to be some computer scientist who wants to become some type of programmer, but all individuals are going to experience the impact of AI.”
There also will be a new digital citizenship course to help students learn how to responsibly use the internet.
Bryant said that course was inspired by the district’s participation in the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program.
Starting in fall, Bridgeview Academy will be among five ASD schools participating in the VILS program, which equips students and staff with iPads and 24/7 internet access for both at home and in the classroom.
Two-year transition
Bridgeview Academy’s two-year transition will be monitored by a district design committee and an external evaluator.
In year one of the transition, ASD will prioritize professional development for staff and curriculum development for AI, math and science courses.
The district also will focus on strategic modifications to the school building, including the creation of science labs, a video production and podcasting studio, an esports competition room and a makerspace.
In year two of the transition, the district will implement sequential elective pathways and expand experiential learning and internships with industry partners so students can earn credentials.
ASD also will establish an ongoing evaluation process for the school and expand its enrollment to the middle grades, starting with sixth-graders.
As for next steps, the district will hire a physics teacher, instructional coach and two computer science teachers.
ASD also will work on facilities upgrades at the school building.
Additionally, school directors approved $412,496.49 worth of equipment to outfit the new spaces in the school.
Those purchases include iMac computers, digital projectors, furniture, podcasting pods, science curriculum kits and esports technology, among other supplies.
