Allentown’s Building 21 high school will be renamed the Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation and Technology as it transitions into a new theme-based model for the 2025-26 school year.
The school’s updated focus will prepare students for careers in artificial intelligence, computer science and health care. The name honors the nearby Eighth Street Bridge.
“I feel like the bridge represents our school a lot because it’s connected together and all, like how we connect and how we all work together to build futures and stuff,” senior Adrianna Rodriguez said. She served on both the naming committee that selected the school’s new title and the superintendent’s Student Advisory Council.
The school’s new focus on computer science is exciting to many of her fellow students, especially those who see the potential to expand into arts-based fields like video game design, Rodriguez said.
An emphasis on artificial intelligence could prove less popular, she added.
“A lot of people don’t like AI,” Rodriguez said. “AI is a big thing, and since our school is going to be based off of that now, a lot of people are a little bit upset, but they’ve gotten used to the fact that it’s gonna happen, and they can work with it and work around it when needed be.”
The school’s future focus should provide new opportunities for the students, said Building 21 teacher Melissa Routson, who also served on the naming committee.
“I think that they took the consideration of the naming committee and heard our voices in that way,” Routson said.
The Eighth Street Bridge — officially known as the Albertus L. Meyers Bridge — opened in 1913 and was considered the world’s longest and highest concrete bridge at the time.
“Just as the bridge physically links different parts of Allentown, the school welcomes and unites students from across the entire district,” said Jennifer Bryant, executive director of instructional leadership.
The district has budgeted approximately $150,000 for updated signage and logos.
Bridgeview Academy also will be one of five Allentown schools that will receive technology grants through the Verizon Innovative Learning Schools program, in partnership with Digital Promise.
Along with the district’s four middle schools, Bridgeview Academy will benefit from the grant of an iPad and keyboard to students and staff, plus the addition of instructional staff who will support the technology rollout.
includes a four-year Verizon data plan for participating students and staff to support online access.
Reporter Elizabeth DeOrnellas can be reached at edeornellas@mcall.com.
