District’s new state-of-the-art STEM facility officially named Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow
Building to open in August 2021
Launch the media gallery 1 playerAt their monthly meeting, Broken Arrow Public Schools Board of Education members voted to name the district’s new state-of-the-art STEM facility the Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow, which will open its doors for the 2021-22 school year. The building will serve grades 9-12 and is located on the property behind Casey’s General Store on Albany and County Line at3000 E. Albany St.
“I am excited the school board selected Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow as the official name,” Vanguard Academy Director Jason Jedamski said. “Vanguard is defined as a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas and it truly connects to the purpose of the facility."
“Vanguard Academy of Broken Arrow resonated with our students who served on the naming committee, and we believe their input through the naming committee is the first step toward increased voice and choice at the Vanguard Academy.”
The Vanguard Academy is Oklahoma’s first public school facility to integrate building information modeling (BIM) from the design process through the construction phase. Known as BIM, the tool is a 3D model-based process that gives architecture, engineering and construction professionals the insight and tools to more efficiently plan, design, construct, and manage buildings and infrastructure.
“Having the construction of this building done in conjunction with the BIM model has reduced errors and waste,” Broken Arrow Public Schools Executive Director of Construction and Facilities Bob Tolomeo said. “It’s allowed us to build more efficiently and better coordinate with each of the trade contractors. From building signage to greenhouses, we’re looking to stretch the physical and mental boundaries of education with this facility.”
The Vanguard Academy will include a number of labs, a makerspace, a workshop, a build shop, numerous outdoor classrooms and more. In addition, the vocational agriculture center will include animal pens and show barns for those students pursuing careers in agricultural production, agribusiness and other agricultural related occupations.
This project is being made possible by the passage of the 2015 bond issue. These bond funds allow BAPS to add classrooms to accommodate growing enrollment, expand and update our facilities and add technology to the classroom. For more information, please visit www.baschools.org/2015bond.