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Following approval by ����ֱ�� State University’s Board of Trustees, ����ֱ�� State and Bio-Med Science Academy STEM School have agreed upon a partnership that will bring new life to the university’s underutilized Michael Schwartz Center building while providing the public STEM school with a state-of-the-art facility for its elementary grades.

Beginning fall 2027, Bio-Med Science Academy will relocate its grades K-6 programs to the Schwartz Center at 800 E. Summit St. on ����ֱ�� State’s ����ֱ�� Campus. The consolidation unites Bio-Med’s Shalersville Campus (grades K-4) and Ravenna Campus (grades 5-6) into one purpose-built location, serving approximately 600 students and 50 staff members.

“This is truly a win-win partnership that strengthens our relationship with the community while solving a critical facility challenge,” said Melody Tankersley, executive vice president and provost at ����ֱ�� State. “The Schwartz Center was facing significant infrastructure costs, and rather than shutter or demolish the building, we envisioned an opportunity to repurpose it in a way that benefits our community and supports an educational institution that aligns with our university’s values and mission.”

The Schwartz Center, which opened in 1956 as the home of the ����ֱ�� State University School, a laboratory school that served generations of student teachers through 1985, will return to its original purpose as a school building.

“This partnership represents an extraordinary opportunity for Bio-Med Science Academy,” said Stephanie Lammlein, chief administrative officer of Bio-Med Science Academy. “The Schwartz Center provides us with a modern, well-equipped facility that will allow us to consolidate our K-6 operations and better serve our students and families. We’re grateful for ����ֱ�� State’s collaboration and look forward to becoming part of the campus community while our secondary campus remains at our Rootstown location.”

The lease agreement reflects the mutual benefits for both organizations. For ����ֱ�� State, the partnership eliminates substantial facility maintenance costs – approximately $800,000 annually to keep the building operational, in addition to potential demolition expenses. For Bio-Med Science Academy, the arrangement provides access to a fully equipped, accessible facility without the burden of construction costs.

“Our need to identify new uses for underutilized buildings allowed us to think creatively about repurposing the Schwartz Center,” said Todd Diacon, ����ֱ�� State president. “This partnership demonstrates how universities can work collaboratively with community organizations to address infrastructure challenges while strengthening ties to the region we serve.”

Bio-Med Science Academy is one of seven public, independent STEM schools in Ohio and the first to offer comprehensive K-12 education. The school operates as a tuition-free public school open to students of all abilities and backgrounds, with admission determined by a blind lottery. Currently enrolling more than 900 students from over 45 school districts across eight Ohio counties, Bio-Med Science Academy is known for STEM-focused academics, problem-based learning and student outcomes – with 89% of graduates pursuing higher education and 72% choosing STEM majors and careers.

The partnership also includes modest operational adjustments to the ����ֱ�� State campus. The university’s student services and administrative offices currently housed in the Schwartz Center – including the Admissions Office, Bursar’s Office, Parking Services and Office of the University Registrar – are being relocated to other campus locations, including the Design Innovation Hub, which will create a more welcoming, centralized admissions experience for prospective students and families.

Additionally, ����ֱ�� State’s ROTC program, which recently underwent facility improvements, will maintain its current space in the building with secure, separate access.

The transition is expected to be complete by fall 2027. Both organizations will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition and successful partnership.

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����ֱ�� ����ֱ�� State University

����ֱ�� State University is the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the Top Public Schools and Best National Universities lists by U.S. News & World Report. The university also holds the esteemed distinction of being one of only seven institutions in Ohio to be recognized as an R1 top-tier research university by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. ����ֱ�� State is one of Ohio’s leading public universities and a major educational, economic and cultural resource far beyond the Northeast Ohio region it has served since 1910. The university has a global footprint with eight campuses throughout Northeast Ohio, a College of Podiatric Medicine, a Twinsburg Academic Center and academic sites around the world, including New York City; Florence, Italy; and Curitiba, Brazil. ����ֱ�� State offers award-winning student support services that help students succeed. Its diverse student body comprises more than 33,000 students, including 1,800 international students from nearly 100 countries, and the worldwide alumni family exceeds 280,000. ����ֱ�� State provides transformational educational experiences and leads with its values, which include kindness, respect and freedom of expression. For more information about ����ֱ�� State, visit www.kent.edu.

����ֱ�� Bio-Med Science Academy

Bio-Med Science Academy is a free, public STEM school serving students K-12 from across Northeast Ohio. The school is dedicated to preparing students for success in the global economy through inquiry-based, mastery-focused education and real-world learning experiences. For more information, visit .

Photo Caption:
����ֱ�� State University’s Michael Schwartz Center is located at 800 E. Summit St. in ����ֱ��, Ohio. (Photo credit: Mike Rich, ����ֱ�� State University)

Media Contacts:
����ֱ�� State University: Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595
Bio-Med Science Academy: Stephanie Lammlein, slammlein@bmsastem.org, 330-325-6169