By: Richard L. Smith
I recently had the opportunity to spend time inside one of Irvington’s most promising educational success stories, where I sat down with Principal Michael Bussacco and School Counselor Rozalu Darius to talk about the work happening inside University Middle School and the Anna B. Scott Junior STEAM Academy, which now operate together under one roof.
What I found was more than just a school program.
I found a team deeply committed to changing the narrative about public education in Irvington.
Click HERE for 2026-2027 application. 
From the moment I began speaking with them, it was clear that this is not just about filling classrooms. 
It is about building a culture of rigor, support, and belief in children who deserve every opportunity to succeed.
Both Bussacco and Darius spoke with passion about creating an environment where students are challenged academically while also being supported socially and emotionally.
Darius, who transitioned from Florence Avenue School to this middle school setting, explained that her role goes far beyond academics.
She works daily to help students stay grounded, resolve conflicts, and remain focused on their goals.
She keeps a close eye on grades, behavior, and emotional well-being, understanding that for many students, school must be both a place of learning and a place of stability.
Her mission is especially important in a program built on high expectations.
Students are expected to maintain strong academic standing, and eighth graders who keep a 3.0 GPA throughout the school year can earn automatic acceptance into the district’s affiliated high school program.
That kind of structure, Darius said, helps students understand early that excellence opens doors.
What stood out to me most was how much this program has grown in such a short time.
What began as a pilot with only sixth and seventh grade students has quickly expanded to include grades six through eight. Last year, the academy had only a few classrooms.
Now it has grown dramatically, with more students, more interest, and even a waiting list. Families are no longer asking whether the school exists. They are asking how to get in.
That growth did not happen by accident.
Darius shared how she personally went out into the community, visited other schools, met with parents, handed out flyers, and made sure families understood what this academy offers.
In a town where many families may once have looked elsewhere for specialized middle school options, she helped make the case that Irvington already has something special right here at home.
Principal Bussacco echoed that same belief.
As we spoke, he made it clear that this program was built with purpose. The Anna B. Scott Junior STEAM Academy was designed to expose students to an advanced, career-connected learning experience at the middle school level. 
Students here are immersed in science, math, English language arts, social studies, honors writing, computer science and engineering, art and digital art creation, Spanish, and physical education. Science, math, and ELA are part of their daily routine, giving students a strong academic foundation while also preparing them for the demands of high school and beyond.
Bussacco told me this academy was born out of a dream to prepare Irvington students earlier and better.
He believes students in this community deserve access to the same high-level academic opportunities as children anywhere else, and he is determined to prove that an urban school district can deliver excellence.
That message is beginning to resonate.
Families are responding. Students are applying. Community partnerships are growing. Even students from outside the traditional path are showing interest in joining the academy because of its focus on STEAM, structure, and opportunity. 
The school’s entrance process for the 2026-2027 year requires Irvington fifth graders to apply and complete writing and math assessments, with limited spots also available for current sixth and seventh graders.
Still, what makes this story special is not just the academics. It is the heart behind the work.
There is a real sense here that the adults in this building are fighting for Irvington’s children. They are fighting to keep students engaged in their hometown schools.
They are fighting to show parents that strong education can happen right here in their own community. And they are fighting to replace outdated perceptions with proof of progress.
That effort has not gone unnoticed.
The work being done by Bussacco, Darius, and their staff reflects the kind of forward-thinking leadership that has also been supported by Irvington Mayor Tony Vauss and Superintendent Dr. April Vauss, both of whom have continued to champion educational growth and opportunity in the township.
Their support helps reinforce what this school community is trying to build: a system where students are not only expected to succeed, but are given the tools and encouragement to do so.
After leaving that interview, I came away with a strong feeling that this is the kind of education a community should be proud of.
Inside this one building, educators are doing the hard work every day to shape scholars, guide young people, and create a pathway for success. In Irvington, that matters. 
And if the passion of this principal and counselor is any indication, the future of this program is only getting brighter.