Hazleton Area School District

Looking Towards the Future

Expanding Opportunity Through Growth, Innovation, and Community

With more than 14,000 students, the Hazleton Area School District is one of the largest—and fastest-growing—districts in Pennsylvania. Serving a diverse and expanding population, the district has embraced growth as both a challenge and an opportunity, investing in new facilities, innovative programs, and meaningful partnerships to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

For Dr. Brian Uplinger, Superintendent, and Dr. Michelle Zukoski, Director of Federal Programs, everything begins with a simple but powerful philosophy: keep students at the center. “Everything we do is student-focused,” Uplinger emphasizes. “Our goal is to provide every child, regardless of background, with the best education and the tools they need to succeed—whether that’s in higher education, the workforce, or the military.”

Building for the Future

The district’s most visible effort to meet growing enrollment is its ambitious capital outlay plan. A new school for grades one through five is under construction, with a capacity for 1,500 students. Once complete, it will be the second-largest building in the district, helping to reduce class sizes and give students more individual attention.

Alongside this project, the Early Learning Center is being reconfigured to better support younger learners. Additional expansions are being considered at Freeland Elementary Middle School to meet the needs of a steadily rising student population.

“This growth is driven by both our success and the economic development of the region,” Uplinger explains. “As new industries bring jobs and families to the Hazleton area, our schools must expand to serve them.”

Addressing the Teacher Shortage

Like districts across the nation, Hazleton faces a significant teacher shortage, with 80 emergency-certified teachers currently filling classroom needs. Rather than accept this as a long-term reality, the district has developed a partnership with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) to encourage more students to pursue teaching as a career.

Through the program, students can earn an associate’s degree and then complete their teaching certification while remaining in the Hazleton area. A special emphasis is placed on developing bilingual teachers to better serve the district’s large and growing Hispanic population.

“This initiative is about growing our own pipeline of educators,” Zukoski says. “By keeping students connected to the district, we’re investing in the long-term strength of our schools and community.”

Career Tech and Innovation

Preparing students for careers is another top priority. Hazleton’s Career Tech Academy, also in partnership with LCCC, gives students the chance to gain early college credits in trades such as welding and culinary arts.

The district has also introduced a new industrial maintenance program, reflecting the needs of local warehouses and factories. In the health sciences, students are learning on a cadaver table, a state-of-the-art tool that enhances nursing education.

Cyber security is another area of focus. With pathways now being developed in this high-demand field, students have access to both hands-on courses and online learning opportunities, preparing them for careers in technology and security.

“These programs ensure our students are not just prepared for the jobs of today, but for the opportunities of tomorrow,” Uplinger explains.

Safety and Security

As enrollment grows, so too does the responsibility to keep students and staff safe. Hazleton Area School District has implemented an array of advanced security measures, including:

• Open gate weapon detectors at entrances.
• Night locks for classrooms and offices.
• Updated camera systems throughout school buildings.
• Ballistic window film on all school windows.
• Secure entrance systems at every building.

The district has also strengthened its cyber defenses, employing a certified cyber security expert to protect data and digital systems. “Student and staff safety, both physical and digital, is non-negotiable,” Uplinger says. “It’s something we take extremely seriously.”

Technology and Literacy Investments

Technology is central to Hazleton’s academic strategy, both as a tool for learning and as a pathway to future careers. The district has invested in a digital library, MYON, which provides access to books in multiple languages and reading levels. This initiative supports literacy growth for both native English speakers and bilingual students.

In addition, Hazleton has reintroduced handwriting into the curriculum, with a focus on cursive writing. The goal is to ensure students are not only proficient in digital skills but also confident in traditional literacy practices.

“Reading and writing are the foundation for all learning,” Zukoski explains. “Our goal is to make sure every student leaves our schools fully equipped with those skills.”

Engaging Parents and Families

Hazleton has also made great strides in building stronger connections with parents. Since 2021, parent engagement has increased by 44%, thanks to creative initiatives like the Build-A-Bear literacy events for first graders.

“These events give families a reason to come into the schools and be part of their child’s learning,” Zukoski says. “When parents are engaged, students thrive.”

Other events, workshops, and community partnerships continue to strengthen the bond between home and school, ensuring families feel welcomed and supported.

Preparing for the Next 18 Months

Looking ahead, Hazleton’s top priority is finding additional classroom space to address overcrowding. The new school and reconfigurations will help, but continued growth means space will remain a challenge.

Despite funding pressures and staffing shortages, Uplinger remains optimistic. “Our responsibility is to make sure students not only want to learn but have the environment and support to succeed,” he says. “We’ll keep pushing forward to give them the best opportunities possible.”

The story of Hazleton Area School District is one of growth, resilience, and innovation. From major facility expansions to new pathways in teaching, technology, and career tech, the district is preparing its students to succeed in an increasingly complex world.

With a commitment to safety, strong community engagement, and a vision centered on students, Hazleton is not only meeting the challenges of today but also building the foundation for tomorrow.

As Uplinger sums it up: “The heart of our work is our students. If we can keep them at the center of every decision, we’ll continue to grow stronger as a district and as a community.”

AT A GLANCE:

Name: Hazleton Area School District

What: A student-first district preparing students for a rapid evolving economy

Where: Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

Website: https://www.hasdk12.org/