On March 27, 2025, six 10th-grade students from Cornell High School took part in the Student Sustainable Design Challenge in Pittsburgh, PA. This regional event encouraged student engagement with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through real-world problem solving.

The Cornell team began their journey at a kickoff event, where they learned about the SDGs from expert presenters and participated in round-table discussions with professionals working in sustainability-related fields. Inspired by the need for fresh produce in underserved communities, the students focused their project on food insecurity.

After researching crops suitable for Cornell’s greenhouse, they developed a plan to grow vegetables for the local food bank in Coraopolis. To extend the impact of their project, the team also created and delivered a lesson on sustainable agriculture to two Environmental Science classes, who then selected and planted crops in the school’s greenhouse and classroom grow stations.

At the final showcase held at Rodef Shalom Congregation, students Drake Barr, Luke Stutzman, and Alexa Perez represented the group by presenting a poster and fielding questions about their work. They also connected with peers from other schools to share ideas and celebrate student-driven sustainability initiatives.

Through this project, Cornell students not only addressed a local community need but also inspired younger students to take part in sustainable agriculture efforts.

Our High School Esports teams which are currently in 3rd and 6th place out of 47 teams playing Fortnite in the High School Esports League (HSEL) via Generation Esports. Good luck with the rest of the season! Good luck and keep up the great work!!!

Cornell High School's Future Ready Leaders recently visited Premier Automation to learn about career opportunities in our region. Students were able to hear from a panel of professionals and tour the facility.

The Cornell Drama Club presents Frozen Jr. on Friday, March 21 and Saturday, March 22 in the Cornell Auditorium! Doors open at 6:50 pm and the show starts at 7:30 pm. The Drama Club has been hard at work for months in preparation, and we can't wait to see them on the stage!

Neveah Rice, currently a freshman at IUP, wrote an Op-Ed for USA Today recently about bias in social media and the importance of media literacy for students. She reflects on what she learned at Cornell and how some states are mandating new literacy education. The story can be found at https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2025/02/07/media-literacy-schools-teens-kids-news-bias/77879677007/.

Congratulations to our First LEGO League on their November 23rd competition at Sewickley Academy. Coach Meinert said that she is "...so proud of the hard work, determination, and perseverance this team has shown throughout the season."

We are excited to share some amazing news! Cornell School District has been recognized by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, as a “School to Watch”. This prestigious honor places us among only eight school districts in the nation recognized this year—six as “Lighthouse Districts” and two as “Schools to Watch.”

This recognition celebrates school districts that are exemplars of positive change in public education. It acknowledges our commitment to transforming education, raising student achievement, and ensuring no learner is left behind.

This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire school community—students, families, teachers, and staff. Your efforts make Cornell a place of growth, collaboration, and opportunity.

We Are Cornell!!!

As part of our Trailblazers project, students and teachers recently took a field trip to Montour Woods, guided by Autumn Anderson and Dillon Penrod from the Hollow Oak Land Trust. During the visit, students gained hands-on insights into the careful planning involved in trail design, including environmental considerations and sustainable building practices. This experience provided students with a deeper understanding of how trails are developed to minimize impact on the ecosystem while enhancing access and enjoyment for the community.

We are pleased to announce that Amanda Sappie has been selected for the AI Fellows Program through the AIU. Amanda will embark on a five-day intensive learning journey at the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, where she will engage in hands-on exercises and discussions that explore practical applications of AI and its potential boundaries. Furthermore, she will attend the SXSW EDU conference in Austin, Texas, where she will complete capstone projects focused on AI topics that are relevant to Cornell. Congratulations, Mrs. Sappie!!!