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Franklin Township board hears plan for new Warrior Next Tech Academy, says HSC will host first cohort
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Summary
District leaders presented the Warrior Next Tech Academy, a project-based middle-school STEM academy to start with a single sixth-grade cohort of 75 students at Hamilton Street (HSC), open to all fifth graders districtwide with a lottery-based placement and industry partnerships with SHI and Intel.
Amy Arcewaler, the district’s supervisor of instructional technology, and Eric Siegel, supervisor of science and work-based learning, presented the Warrior Next Tech Academy, a new middle-school STEM academy that will begin with one sixth-grade cohort of 75 students.
"It's a middle school STEM academy that focuses on project based learning, immersive technology, and career readiness," Siegel said. Presenters said the program emphasizes interdisciplinary, project-based digital learning with hands-on tools such as VR, drones and 3-D printing and curricular connections to core subjects.
The district said Hamilton Street (referred to in the presentation as HSC) will host the academy; students from across the district will be bused to the site. Enrollment will open through a Google form and paper sign-ups. Officials described a placement process that begins with a student interest survey, applies academic criteria (including math), and — if needed — is resolved by a lottery. The presenters also said there is an early opt-out option in the program’s initial year to avoid midyear withdrawals.
District staff framed industry partnerships as part of the program: presenters said SHI helped connect the district to Intel, which supplied curriculum resources called "Intel skills for innovation" and that SHI has offered mentors and field-trip opportunities at its local AI lab.
Board members asked about capacity and selection. Siegel said the plan is to add a new cohort each year so in three years there would be 75 students in each grade level; he described 75 as the target for a single grade while the average middle-school population is about 550. "We're starting with one cohort to build and learn and adjust and then grow from there," he said.
Presenters announced a parent information night on March 11, with translation services and two staggered sessions, and said fifth-grade assemblies will introduce the program to all eligible students. Staff also said they will attend PTSO and president's council meetings to explain the initiative.
The presentation concluded with general board praise and a request from members to publicize the program widely; no formal action or vote was required at the meeting. The district said additional enrollment and operational details will be posted and shared ahead of the parent session.
