Allentown, PA – May 22, 2025 – The Allentown School District is proud to announce the new name for our first theme-based high school, which will open at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Building 21 High School will be renamed Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Technology following a collaborative, community-centered process involving students, staff, families, and the community.
The renaming marks a pivotal moment in the transformation of the school into a forward-focused, theme-based high school. Beginning this fall, the Allentown School District’s third high school will launch new academic pathways in Artificial Intelligence, Allied Health, and Computer Science, high-demand fields that are shaping the future of work and innovation.
“Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Technology reflects our commitment to creating high-quality, theme-based learning environments that prepare students for college, careers, and life,” said Superintendent & Chief Executive Officer Dr. Carol D. Birks. “This name symbolizes more than a new identity and represents the priorities of our Strategic Plan in action: expanding opportunities for all students through rigorous, real-world pathways in Health, Computer Science, and Artificial Intelligence.
Bridgeview Academy of Health, Science, Innovation, and Technology was selected through a rigorous evaluation of community input and naming submissions, with a committee of district stakeholders recommending the name for its symbolic and strategic significance. The name pays tribute to the school’s proximity to the iconic 8th Street Bridge, once the longest and highest concrete bridge in the world, while reflecting the school’s mission to connect students to the future through real-world, high-tech learning experiences, and Allentown’s rich history of innovation and achievement.
The renaming process was part of a broader reimagining of the high school’s identity. The District engaged hundreds of community members through a multilingual naming survey, encouraging submissions that reflected the new academic vision and inspired a sense of pride and purpose.
Bridgeview Academy will continue to serve students districtwide while gradually expanding its course offerings and career-focused experiences. As the school evolves, its new identity will symbolize both continuity with Allentown’s past and a bold leap toward the future.
Students who are currently in eighth grade and live within the city of Allentown can apply to attend the school each year. Limited seats still remain for the 2025-2026 school year, and interested students can apply by completing this form.
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