Edison schools unveil 'Northstar' vision and new academies, including a Computer Science & AI pathway

Edison Township Public Schools officials on Tuesday unveiled a new Northstar statement tied to the district’s Vision 2030 strategic plan and outlined two new initiatives aimed at expanding student opportunities. Presenters said the Northstar statement—“empowering learners to shape the world with knowledge, purpose, and passion”—will serve as a guiding message under the district’s engagement pillar.

The Northstar presentation team, led by Samantha Grimmaldi, the district’s middle school math supervisor, described a six‑week stakeholder process that used ThoughtExchange surveys and administrative retreats to collect and analyze teacher, student and parent input. “Our Northstar statement is more than just words. It’s our unwavering commitment to our students, educators, and community,” Grimmaldi said.

The board also heard about Empower Edison, a new district initiative that pairs administrators across buildings to develop short design sprints aligned with the strategic plan. Dr. Joanie Valentine, principal of John Adams Middle School and leader of the district’s innovation committee, said Empower Edison will serve as an internal consultancy and listed three early projects: the Northstar rollout, a Biomed Science Academy, and a Portrait of a Graduate effort branded Edison 360. The program’s consultants—district administrators and supervisors—will help teams refine proposals and support implementation, Valentine said.

Separately, the district announced a Computer Science & AI Academy that officials plan to start this September at both high schools. Shannon Pang, chair of the curriculum committee, said the academy will offer industry‑aligned coursework, opportunities for industry certification, internships for credit, AP options and capstone research. Officials described several access routes: incoming freshmen can enter via placement or a summer Python course; current ninth‑graders in honors Java or AP Computer Science Principles already are on pathways; students who do not meet placement criteria will be offered preparatory courses or summer work to qualify.

Mr. Cohen, who outlined the academy’s structure, said the district will publish enrollment and eligibility details to families by the end of the week. “There is no deadline yet,” he said, adding that the administration will provide guidance and placement tests to make the pathway accessible.

Administrators emphasized that the programs are early‑stage and iterative: the Biomed Academy and CS pathway will accept students through multiple entry points in order to widen access. The presentations were informational; the board did not vote to adopt new policies or allocate funding during the meeting.

The district also showcased performing arts growth: Dr. Valentine and presenters highlighted that John Adams Middle School’s orchestra program now serves roughly 143 students and will present a spring concert on May 7. The board recognized the student chamber orchestra’s performance during the meeting.

Next steps: the administration will publish application and placement details for the CS & AI Academy on the district website and continue rolling out Empower Edison consultancies across buildings.