Butler, Seneca recognized as innovative schools
Reimagining education and community collaboration has led two school districts in Butler County to be recognized as part of the nationwide “League of Innovative Schools.”
Butler Area and Seneca Valley school districts were part of six Western Pennsylvania school districts to be added to Digital Promise’s League of Innovative Schools, a program that aims to expand learning opportunities.
Digital Promise is a global nonprofit that, according to its website, works to expand student learning by connecting students and leaders through teaching and learning opportunities. There are currently 150 districts across the country in the league.
Digital Promise was created by Congress in 2008 and first implemented in 2011. According to its website, it’s initiatives have impacted over four million students and 180,000 teachers across 173 districts and in 27 countries.
Butler Area School District was recognized for collaborating with the city of Butler and other local groups in a project titled “Welcome to Butler’s Neighborhood.” The project included students using art, science and technology to help transform Butler’s physical landscape while building new skills and strengths. This included projects meant to boost civic pride.
Butler was also recognized for an urban gardening project that was meant to increase local access to fresh food.
“We are very pleased to be selected as a member. We are particularly excited about the professional development and learning activities that will be available to our school district,” Butler superintendent Brian White said.
Seneca Valley was recognized for building the $63 million Ehrman Crest Elementary and Middle School back in 2022, which was highlighted in Time magazine as the future of what educational institutions could look like, due to features such as harmonic walls used for educating students about sound and energy and an art wing that doubles as a storm shelter.
“We’re eager to learn from others and to keep pushing ourselves forward so that every student has the best possible opportunities to learn, grow and thrive,” Tracy Vitale, Seneca Valley’s superintendent, said in a news release.
Vitale said being a part of the League of Innovative Schools will give Seneca Valley the chance to learn from other “forward-thinking districts” across the country.
“The real value is in the collaboration,” Vitale said. “As members of the league, we hope to contribute by sharing our experiences in designing future-ready learning spaces, expanding career and technical pathways, and building strong community-school connections.”
