By Michael Benavides
Staff Writer
PLUMSTED – The Plumsted Township School District Board of Education has hired an architectural firm to design space for the Warrior Engineering Academy that will enroll its first group of students at New Egypt High School in September.
During a recent meeting, board members approved a contract with Tokarski and Millemann Architects, Brick Township, to design an engineering academy space in what was previously the Pathways Lab, Superintendent of Schools Gerald North said.
The cost of the architectural firm’s services will not exceed $19,500, according to the resolution the board passed.
North said the renovations will take place during the summer and result in the creation of an engineering and technology lab.
Within the past year, district administrators have introduced four academies at New Egypt High School: the Warrior Business Academy; the Warrior Engineering Academy; the Warrior Law and Social Justice Academy; and the Warrior Teachers for Tomorrow Academy.
The teaching academy is operating during the 2016-17 school year. The other academies will open in September at the start of the 2017-18 school year.
The academies offer courses to students who are interested in a particular field of study and who may wish to pursue that field in college, North said.
The superintendent previously said, “We are implementing the academies to give our students a level playing field with other districts that have academies in place. The additional courses associated with the academies will increase the rigor offered to our students.
“Furthermore, we want to take advantage of our size and give students true personalized learning opportunities in an environment that will foster risk-taking with multiple supports from adults in the school district, community and local businesses,” North said.
Enrollment criteria for each academy at New Egypt High School has been established and each academy will be open to any student who meets the criteria.
