AIU to open cyber charter school in Wilkins

The Allegheny Intermediate Unit will open a new cyber charter school in Wilkins Township this fall.

The school will open within months of the Gateway School District announcing a loss of $2 million in state funding as a result of students transferring to the new Propel Charter School in Pitcairn. It's not clear how many more Gateway students might attend the STREAM Academy, which will offer instruction for grades K-12.

STREAM - which stands for science, technology, research, engineering, arts and mathematics - will emphasize those areas of study. Students from across the state can enroll, AIU spokesperson Sarah McCluan said.

In addition to the online teacher instruction - allowing students to work from home - students will get hands-on experience from industry professionals in their area, McCluan said.

A building in Penn Center East will act as a meeting place for parents, teachers and students. School officials hope to enroll 650 students by the fall.