Due to the housing growth in the late 1990's, the Downingtown Area School District has been refurbished to provide new, state of the art schools to local residents. The district also offers a unique high school experience through the Downingtown STEM Academy, where students are challenged with rigorous course work in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This work can culminate in an IB Diploma, an achievement favorably recognized by leading universities across the globe. This excellent experience has earned the STEM academy the #1 ranking among high schools in Pennsylvania.