Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School unveils plans for new campus at former Medaille University

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A different type of student will return to the old Medaille University campus this fall, with the new charter school that purchased the property outlining its plans for the future.

The Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School, or BuffSci, announced Wednesday that it will consolidate its two Western New York high schools under one roof in North Buffalo.

“Our two high schools will join to form one school called Buffalo Academy or Science High School,” said BuffSci Executive Director Dr. Joseph Polat.

A total of 540 students will be brought to campus in September and will attend classes in the main building at the campus entrance.

The building is being renovated to make it suitable for secondary education, but Dr. Polat told 2 On Your Side the campus has a lot to offer.

“Especially for athletics, science labs, open space, we’re going to build a soccer field and it’s also an academic environment,” Polat said.

The charter school, which also operates locations in Rochester, purchased the 14-acre property in early May after the former university was forced to close.

People who were worried about what would happen after Médaille were relieved by the result.

“You know, when a campus of this size closes, it really creates a hole in the community,” said James Dentinger, president of NOCO Enterprises.

“Ironically, it started as a K-12 educational institution and then morphed into a college and now it’s kind of returning to its original roots,” he added.

BuffSci will not fill the entire campus initially, but plans to expand in the future. One of these plans includes creating a robotics and AI discovery center where students can partner with local universities.

“Through this great initiative, the Buffalo Academy of Science will continue to serve the children of Buffalo, the youth of Buffalo and the entire Buffalo community. With this campus, we will have much more space, not only for our students, but for the entire Buffalo community,” added Dr. Polat.

BuffSci has already listed its downtown high school on Franklin Street in Buffalo. They hope to sell it to help finance their new campus.

They also launched a $14 million fundraising campaign seeking donations and sponsors to help cover the costs of the campus and renovate it.