Dive Brief:

• The Glassboro, NJ, Board of Education voted last week to launch a “biomedical academy” for high schoolers who want to work in healthcare.
• The new academy would expand on the district's current STEM offerings.
• Students would have to enroll in ninth grade, and a set curriculum would focus heavily on medical and biomedical training. 

Dive Insight:

Before voting to launch the initiative, the district surveyed its community and found overwhelming support, with 92% of respondents expressing interest in the idea. The new school will provide instruction for students who want to become physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physical therapist, radiologists, researchers, and healthcare managers.

As for funding the academy, the district wants to charge tuition to non-resident enrollees, making a special appeal to the state for the proposal. The school would remain tuition-free for students living in the district.