Burton Center for Arts and Technology will host tours of their newly official STEM Academy on Monday, Sept. 17 (see the press release here; spaces for the tour have been filled). Burton Center’s program was recognized as a STEM Academy last May.

“We’re just in the infancy of getting into the STEM Academy process,” says Burton Center principal Jason Surh. He’s proud and excited that the school is getting the “notoriety and recognition” for what they do. “There were minor changes to make to comply…and become STEM Academy-worthy,” Surh says. “That’s another indicator we were doing the right thing.”

The STEM Academy consists of four programs: Mass Communications, Motor Sports, Engineering and Mechatronics/Robotics. Currently, there are 201 students enrolled in the academy, according to Suhr.

During the tours on Monday, Suhr says, Burton Center will host dignitaries in the education community, including state superintendent Dr. Pat Wright, Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education Javaid Siddiqi and Roanoke County Public Schools superintendent Dr. Lorraine Lange, as well as representatives for higher education and local businesses.