Inside the Pennridge School District with Superintendent, Dr. Angelo Berrios

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a former U.S. Marine takes the helm of a suburban school district? In this episode of Voices of Bucks County, host Eric Herr sits down with Dr. Angelo Berrios, superintendent of the Pennridge School District, to talk about leadership, enrollment challenges, STEM innovation, and preparing students for a rapidly changing world.Berrios traces his journey from Marine Corps machine gunner to Abington High School principal and now superintendent of a district with 11 schools and more than 6,000 students. He explains how military principles like mission accomplishment and troop welfare shape his approach to student achievement and staff support.The conversation covers:Why Pennridge’s enrollment has dropped from about 7,000 students in 2018 to just over 6,000 today—and what the district is doing about itHow rezoning, potential middle school consolidation, and careful staffing decisions aim to keep schools efficient and effectiveThe financial strain of cyber charter tuition, rising special education costs, and higher fuel and energy pricesExpanding STEM and STEAM opportunities, including a $1.5 million U.S. Navy grant for middle school STEM labs focused on shipbuilding and submarinesNew co‑op and internship programs that pay students to work in areas like construction and diesel mechanics—right inside the districtWhy arts education, including music, woodshop, and metal shop, remains protected despite budget pressuresHow Pennridge is approaching artificial intelligence in education, from academic integrity to deepfakes and responsible useThe role of student and community voice in shaping programs, from fifth‑grade transition events to board committee meetingsIf you’re a parent, educator, student, or community member interested in the future of public education in Bucks County and beyond, this conversation offers a detailed look inside Pennridge’s strategy and values.