River Valley School District launches STEAM Academy

River Valley School District, formerly the Blairsville-Saltsburg School District, unveiled its new STEAM Academy on the district’s Saltsburg campus with a grand opening on Wednesday, September 28. Dr. Michael J. Reed, president of the Pennsylvania College of Technology, was the evening’s keynote speaker, along with Mr. William McSwain, the former U.S. attorney general for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Clifford Wise, founder of CYBX Security.

The STEAM Academy opened its doors for the 2022-23 school year with three new programs for area students: Electrical Occupations, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitative Therapy, and Cybersecurity. The STEAM Academy is also home to a state-of-the-art esports lab that hosts classes for students and competitions for the River Valley esports team.

Formerly the Saltsburg Middle-High School, the building has been reimagined into a hub for workforce development and technology-centered education. Open to any student in grades 10-12 throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, the STEAM Academy creates pathways for students to enter the workforce in high-demand careers or continue their education at the postsecondary level.

“We are proud to offer opportunities in STEAM education to students in Western Pennsylvania. River Valley School District has a cutting-edge technology program that meets students where they are today and prepares them for where they want to be in the future,” said Philip Martell, superintendent of schools.

Through their coursework, students at the STEAM Academy will earn industry certifications, credentials, and college credit. River Valley instructors partnered with industry leaders to develop the curriculum for the new programs, providing opportunities for students to advance their education at the high school level.

“The STEAM Academy is a fantastic opportunity for students to pursue career-driven education in areas related to their interests. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) education is critical for today’s students and is proven to set them on a path to thrive in work and life,” said Tracy Richards, River Valley STEAM Academy director.