The Penn Hills School District is proud to announce that Dr. Matt Dado, Director of Technology and Innovation, and Renel Williams, Assistant to the Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, & Assessment, presented at the Global Impact Forum, hosted at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Their presentation, titled “Future-Ready Learning: Building the PHorge Academy Model Inside a Public High School,” highlighted how Penn Hills is reimagining education through the creation of PHorge Academy—a pioneering model that prepares students for success in today’s rapidly evolving world through authentic, hands-on learning experiences.

“The PHorge Academy represents what’s possible when innovation, equity, and opportunity converge inside a public school,” said Dr. John Mozzocio. “We’re empowering students to explore career pathways that connect directly to real-world industries, all within the walls of Penn Hills High School.”

Built around four key pillars—Robotics, Entrepreneurship, Healthcare, and Information Technology (IT)—the PHorge Academy immerses students in future-ready learning opportunities that integrate technology, creativity, and career development. Each pillar offers pathways for students to earn industry certifications, and engage in project-based learning.

The Global Impact Forum convenes educators, innovators, and policymakers from across the nation to share ideas that drive learning, workforce readiness, and community transformation. Through their presentation, Dr. Dado and Mrs. Williams showcased how Penn Hills is building a model of education that connects purpose, innovation, and opportunity for every student.

To learn more about PHorge Academy, visit www.phorge.phsd.org