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SCSD Unveils Plans for STEAM School SCSD Unveils Plans for STEAM School

The STEAM school will open in September 2025 for its inaugural class of students

By Drew VonScio

STEAM School
© 2023 Drew VonScio

DV: Drew VonScio
JM: Jody Manning

DV: SCIENCE, TECNHOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ART, AND MATHEMATICS ARE TAKING
OVER CENTRAL NEW YORK.

STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNTY TO TAKE COLLEGE-LEVEL CLASSES IN HIGH
SCHOOL AND PICK A MAJOR AND MINOR AT THE NEW SYRACUSE STEAM HIGH
SCHOOL.

PROGRAMS RANGE FROM ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY & DESIGN TO
ROBOTICS TO ENTERTAINMENT ENGINEERING.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JODY MANNING EXPLAINS HOW THE PROGRAMS WERE
SELECTED FOR THE CURRICULUM.

JM: “The concentrations that we offer in that school weren’t random. This was a needs assessment from Centerstate CEO, the big chamber, they did a needs assessment and said where are the future jobs.”

DV: ANY STUDENT IN SYRACUSE IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOOL ALONG
WITH ANY STUDENT IN ONONDAGA, CORTLAND AND MADISON COUNTRIES IN THE
BOARD OF COOPERATIVE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

THE SCHOOL WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO START IN THE WORKFORCE ABOVE
ENTRY-LEVEL JOBS OR HAVE 30 CREDITS OF COLLEGE CLASSES UNDER THEIR BELTS.

DV: “Even though there is an application process at the central new york steam high school, accessibility is very important. Students are going to come from very diverse backgrounds, a key factor in this new high school. Dr. Manning says geographic location should not determine the quality of a student’s education.”

JM: “That’s the whole goal is opportunity. That’s actually, for our students, because of poverty and also because of geographic. Again, your zip code should not, in our opinion, your zip code should not dictate that you would have less or more of an opportunity as somebody across the street.”

DV: PLANS FOR THE SCHOOL STARTED WELL BEFORE MICRON LANDED HERE IN
SYRACUSE, SOMETHING THAT MANNING SAYS MAKES THIS MORE REWARDING.

ONODAGA COUNTY EXECUTIVE RYAN MCMAHON BELIEVES THIS SCHOOL CAN BE
AN EMPLOYEE INCUBATOR FOR THE BIGGEST COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

STUDENTS WILL START CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025.

REPORTING IN SYRACUSE, I’M DREW VONSCIO FOR N-C-C NEWS.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) – The Syracuse City School District has announced plans for a new STEAM school to officially open in September 2025.

One thousand students and across Onondaga, Cortland and Madison counties will have the opportunity to apply for the school and take classes towards a specific program. The school will be designed similarly to college where the students will be able to choose a major and minor.

After students apply, they will be scheduled to have a meeting with a committee and skills must be demonstrated related to the field they would like to pursue. Students will then be scored based on a rubric.

A variety of programs will be offered such as entertainment media technology and design, robotics and entertainment engineering. These programs were selected purposely based on the current landscape of the world.

“The concentrations that we offer in that school weren’t random,” said Executive Director Jody Manning. “This was a needs assessment from Centerstate CEO, the big chamber. They did a needs assessment and said where are the future jobs.”

Students will have the opportunity post-graduation to either enter the workforce certified on how to use equipment and technology above an entry-level position or continue their education in college. Those who choose the latter option will have at least 30 college credits under their belt before stepping onto campus.

Students at the school will come from very diverse backgrounds. Diversity will not be encouraged, but expected among the student body. For some of these students, a chance to shine is all they need.

“That’s the whole goal is opportunity,” said Manning. “For our students, because of poverty and also because of geographic. Again, your zip code should not, in our opinion, dictate that you would have less or more of an opportunity as somebody across the street.”

The STEAM high school will continue to be renovated until its inaugural class of students walks through the doors. Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon believes this school can be “an employee incubator for the biggest companies in the world.”

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