Plans are in the works for another charter academy, this one in Millcreek. It will have a unique focus on the biosciences. Harold Kurtz of Synergy Educational Consultants in Holland, PA says a group of local doctors and professors make up the board planning the start the school. The board is led by UPMC Hamot thoracic surgeon Dr. Ahmet Garbuz.
You could call it a medical school for high school kids. They plan to develop The Erie Biosciences Academy inside the vacant former corporate headquarters of Steris on West 23rd Street in Millcreek.
The mission statement of the proposed school is to provide students in grades 6 through 12 with an academically challenging learning environment to prepare them for future careers in the biosciences and health care industry. Organizers believe the curriculum will address a need not currently met in the Erie area. And students will have chances to job shadow and intern with local health care facilities and professionals. "Juniors and seniors may have opportunities for part time jobs," said Harold Kurtz, "which will lead to choosing a career pathway."
Kurtz will join the school's founders when they make the case for the charter academy Thursday evening at a meeting of the Millcreek School Board. The board will have to determine four key things: if the school offers a unique educational program, if it has appropriate facilities, community support and if it's budget is balanced.
If it's approved, the Biosciences Academy hopes to open with 180 students grades 6 through 8 in September 2013 and grow to a full high school of 420 students. The Millcreek School District will make a decision on the charter application in 45 - 75 days.
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