The Liberty Science Center has been educating guests since opening its doors in 1993. Now, the largest interactive science center in the metro area is preparing to bring that commitment to academic exploration back to the classroom.

LSC celebrated the groundbreaking for the Liberty Science Center High School, its public magnet STEM academy, May 1. Slated to open at SciTech Scity in 2025, the school will support 400 Hudson County students in grades 9-12.

Hudson County Schools of Technology will operate LSCHS, which will provide programs in: Earth (Sustainable Engineering and Climate Science), Life (Biological Sciences) and Space (Astrophysics), according to LSC.

The 30-minute ceremony brought together representatives from LSC, elected officials, educators and others to celebrate the start to work on the project. Speakers addressed the promise and importance the effort holds for the county, with a particular focus on the impact for students who aspire to pursue STEM – science, technology, engineering and math – pathways. And, how the work will help to cement the region’s, and the state’s, position as a hub for scientific and technological innovation.

In his remarks, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop called the project one of the most important taking place in the city.

“It’s unique to have a school next to the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere,” pointed out LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman. And, with LSC’s 30-acre “City of Tomorrow” underway on the campus, the planetarium isn’t the only asset LSC will have to offer students.

“We want all companies that are based [in SciTech Scity] to give back to the high school by providing serious work experience and mentorship to students,” Hoffman continued. Adding, “Aspirationally, we want this to become the greatest STEM high school in the United States.”

SciTech Scity will also include an innovation hub for startups, residential housing and public spaces for “outdoor science-related activations,” according to LSC. Beyond the classroom, students will be able to take advantage of mentorships and work experiences with companies and researchers based at the 12.5-acre science and innovation campus, a public-private partnership.

In January, ADP Foundation signed on as a Founding Partner of SciTech Scity with a $1 million donation to the project.

The city of Jersey City gifted land worth $18 million for the effort and, at the start of the year, LSC said it had lined up approximately $400 million of the project’s $440 million construction budget. At that time, site work was ongoing, with construction expected to start early this summer—once the final $40 million in financing is in place.

Additional donors include Frank Guarini, David Barry, the Overdeck Family Foundation, the Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Joe and Millie Williams, and Josh and Judy Weston. In addition to ADP, major corporate partners include EY, Verizon, Bank of America and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.

Liberty Science Center said it will also establish a preparatory program for students in middle school from under-served Jersey City and Hudson County communities who are passionate about science and aspire to attend LSCHS.