Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy – Now Open

Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy is a satellite campus of Irvington High School located at 36 Mount Vernon Avenue, Irvington, New Jersey. The Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy is named after the beloved former Irvington art teacher, Rita L. Owens. Ms. Owens taught in the Irvington School District for many years and was more than a teacher to the scholars she encountered. She was a mother, counselor, social worker, and friend to the countless number of scholars and community members who had the opportunity to come across her path. 

The Mission of the Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy is to inspire and instruct all students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly, embrace diversity, and pursue their dreams with purpose. Our mission is enhanced through a multifaceted approach and a solid commitment to student growth and development by all District stakeholders, including, but not limited to, students, parents, administrators, teachers, custodians, secretaries, security, support staff, and the community-at-large.

The primary purpose of the Rita L. Owens STEAM Academy is to improve student academic achievement by (a) implementing the District’s aligned Standards curricula; (b) providing staff development that promotes student engagement and academic rigor; (c) conducting data analysis to inform instruction; and (d) monitoring teaching and learning to ensure the alignment of curriculum, instruction and assessment.

Connecting Classroom Activities
With Real-Life Opportunities

In its inaugural year, it will have approximately 100 scholars that show an interest and acumen for science, technology, engineering, arts, and/or mathematics. Every ensuing year approximately 100 students will be added to the Academy.

THE RITA L. OWENS STEAM ACADEMY – DEDICATED TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS


Through a rigorous and relevant curriculum that empowers students to become productive, responsible, and self-directed learners and citizens; the curriculum is designed to meet the individual needs of all students through authentic assessment, research-based instruction, and responsive differentiation that encourages students to think critically and to connect all learning to life beyond the classroom. Further, the curriculum is designed to explore big ideas and essential questions, and promote enduring understandings. Technology is also integrated throughout the curriculum to promote 21st Century thinking and learning.

  • ON CAMPUS & EXTENDED EXPERIENCES

    • The best club combines the interest of the teacher with something that attracts the students.

  • DUAL ENROLLMENT PARTNERSHIP/COLLABORATION

    1. New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
    2. Syracuse University*
    3. Essex County College
    4. Pillar College*

    *In process

CLUB / PROGRAM DAY TIME
Art Creating Club  Monday & Thursday  3-4 pm
Robotics Club  Monday & Wednesday  3-4 pm
Technology & Drone Club  Monday & Wednesday  3-4 pm
Multicultural Club  Wednesday & Thursday  3-4 pm
Morning Basketball Club  Wednesday & Thursday  7:15 – 8:15 am
Math Club  Thursday  3-4 pm
Debate Club  Friday  3-4 pm

COURSE SEQUENCE

The curriculum is grounded in critical thinking skills to help students solve real-life complex problems, and will deliver a high-quality team-based learning experience for every scholar.

COURSE / TRACK GRADE 9 GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE 12
Humanities
English

History

 American
Experiences*English I + US

History I

 Political Studies*
English II + US

History II

 HUM 101 English
Composition I**

World History I

 HUM 101 English
Composition II**
Mathematics Integrated Math I* or
Integrated Math II*		 Integrated Math II* or
Integrated Math III*		 Integrated III* or
MTH 111 (Calculus
I)**		 MTH 111 Calculus
I** or
MTH 112 Calculus
II**
Science PLTW Principles of
Biomedical
Science/Biology*		 Chemistry* AP Environmental
Science**		 PHY 121/A Physics
II/Lab** or

CHEM 125/A
General Chem/Lab**
Mechanical
Engineering
Track		 Introduction to
Engineering and
Design*		 Computer Integrated
Manufacturing*		 Principles of
Engineering*		 Engineering Design
and Development*
Biomedical
Engineering
Track		 PLTW Principles of
Biomedical
Science/Biology*		 Human Body
Systems*		 Medical
Interventions*		 Biomedical
Innovation*
Computing
Sciences Track		 Computing Ideas* Introduction to
Computer Science
(Python)*		 AP Comp Science
A**		 PLTW
Cybersecurity*
Culinary
Pathway
Completer		 Introduction to
Culinary Arts		 Culinary Arts I Culinary Arts II Work-Based Youth
Apprenticeship, or
Capstone Project
Manufacturing
Track		 Fundamentals of
Engineering		 Introduction to Design
Tech I		 Introduction to Design
Tech II		 Work-Based Youth
Apprenticeship or
Capstone Project

* Honors Level Course
** Dual Enrollment/College Level Course and Advanced Placement Level Course

Curriculum

Curriculum designed to meet the individual needs of all students through authentic assessment, research-based instruction, and responsive differentiation that encourages students to think critically and to connect all learning to life beyond the classroom.

Electives

  • CS 113 Roadmap to Computing (3 credits)
  • Econ 265 Microeconomics (3 credits)
  • Econ 266 Macroeconomics (3 credits)
  • FED 101 Fundamentals of Engineering Design (2 credits)
  • SS 201 Economics (3 credits)
  • MET 103 Engineering Graphics & Intro to CAD (2 credits)
  • MET 105 Applied CAD (2 credits)
  • IT 101 Introduction to Information Technology (3 credits)

Art Classes

  •  Graphic Art & Digital Design I
  • Graphic Art & Digital Design II

World Language Classes

  • Spanish
  • French
  • Chinese/Mandarin (2023-2024 school year)
  • Arabic (2023-2024 school year)

Manufacturing Classes

  • Engineering CAD I/2
  • Wood Technology ½
  • Residential Technology and Home Maintenance
  • Electrical wiring

COURSE PATHWAY

Mathematics

  • Integrated Mathematics I Honors (5 credits)
  • Integrated Mathematics II Honors (5 credits)
  • Integrated Mathematics III Honors (5 credits)
  • NJIT MATH III Calculus I: (5 credits; 4 NJIT Credits)

Humanities

  • American Experiences Honors (10 credits)
  • Political Studies Honors (10 credits)
  • HUM 101 English Composition: Writing, Speaking, Thinking I (5 credits; 3 NJIT credits)
  • HUM 102 English Composition: Writing, Speaking, Thinking I (5 credits; 3 NJIT credits)

Science

  • EVSC 125: Fundamentals of Environmental Science (5 credits; 3 NJIT credits)

Biomedical Science Track Offerings

  • Principles of/Introduction to Biomedical Science Honors (5 credits)
  • Human Body Systems Honors (10 credits)
  • Medical Interventions Honors (10 credits)
  • Capstone Project & presentation

Engineering Track Offerings

  • Introduction to Engineering and Design Honors (10 credits)
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems Honors (10 credits)
  • Principles of Engineering Honors (10 credits)
  • Capstone Project & presentation

Culinary Track offerings

  • Introduction to Culinary Arts
  • Culinary Arts I
  • Culinary Arts II
  • Work-Based Learning, Youth Apprenticeship, or Capstone Project

Computing Science

  • Explorations in CS: Computing Ideas (5 credits)
  • Computing Science I: Introduction to Computer Science Honors (10 credits)
  • AP Computer Science A (10 credits)
  • NJIT’s CS 100: Roadmap to Computing (5 credits; 3 NJIT credits)

Manufacturing Vocational offering

  • Fundamentals of Engineering
  • Engineering CAD I/2
  • Wood Technology ½
  • Introduction to Design Tech 1/11
  • Residential Technology and Home Maintenance

Dual Enrollment Partnership / Collaboration

Partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)

Option #1 The Advanced Admissions Program provides an opportunity for qualified 9th graders to apply to NJIT prior to the start of their sophomore year for early admission to NJIT. Students that apply as rising sophomores and meet NJIT’s requirements upon graduation are guaranteed admission into NJIT.

Option #2: Advanced Academic Achievement (Dual Enrollment) program provides an opportunity for qualified 11th and 12th graders to earn college credits at their high school during the academic year. These courses will be taught by our high school teachers who have been certified by NJIT as adjunct faculty members in the related NJIT departments.