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Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Completes The Construction of Unionville High School’s Rooftop Solar Array

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) is one of the first in Pennsylvania to complete a solar energy system under the state’s new Solar for Schools (S4S) Grant Program. In addition to being a statewide milestone, the installation is now the second-largest rooftop solar energy system in Chester County. 

Established in 2024 by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the inaugural S4S Program awarded $22.5 million to 73 schools to help reduce the cost of implementing renewable energy.

Located on the roof of Unionville High School (UHS), the 650-kilowatt UCFSD system, built by local company Terra Sol Solar and designed by Spotts, Stevens and McCoy Group, features approximately 900 American-made solar panels. 

It is projected to produce 25 percent of UCFSD’s energy and save the District at least $75,000 annually in operating costs, a figure likely to grow as energy costs rise. 

“The solar array project is a perfect example of our district value of principled stewardship,” reflected UCFSD Superintendent Dr. Tim Hoffman. “Investing in solar ensures energy efficiency for our district. Efficiency with our resources is critical for our long-term financial health and decreases the overall burden on our tax base to keep up with rising costs.” 

State Representative Christina Sappey also emphasized the importance of this statewide initiative in protecting local communities. "Utility bills are one of the largest expenses for public schools. The 2024 Solar for Schools Grant Program was created to lower operating costs and protect local taxpayers," she added. "By completing this project, UCFSD demonstrates how state grants reduce overhead and keep district funds focused on our students."

Thanks to a combination of S4S funding, federal rebates, and PECO incentives, UCFSD’s net cost for the installation was reduced to roughly $450,000, bringing the system's return on investment to under seven years.

Other State leaders have praised the district's initiative for aligning local fiscal responsibility with broader state environmental and energy production goals.

“Using solar energy to power our schools and educational facilities is cleaner, cheaper, and it sends the message to students and families that we take sustainability seriously,” said State Senator Carolyn Comitta, Minority Chair of the Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee. “UCFSD was one of three in my district to be awarded grant funding through the Pennsylvania Solar for Schools program. I’m excited to see these projects come online as we work together to reduce harmful emissions, meet our climate action goals, and save taxpayer dollars.”

“This solar array represents a forward‑looking investment in our students, our community, and our environment,” said State Senator John I. Kane. “Through the support of the Solar for Schools Grant Program, UCFSD is taking meaningful steps to reduce energy costs, model sustainability for future generations, and demonstrate what’s possible when schools have access to innovative clean‑energy funding. I am so proud to support a project that reflects such strong leadership in education and environmental stewardship.”

“For the past year, I have been sounding the alarm that our electricity supply is not keeping pace with rapidly growing demand. The answer is more generation, and Unionville-Chadds Ford is putting that principle into practice,” said State Representative Craig Williams. “This project adds 650 kilowatts of new generation right where the electricity will be consumed, reducing demand on the grid and lowering costs for district taxpayers. We need more electricity generation in Pennsylvania, and I am pleased to see UCFSD producing some of its own.”

Beyond those benefits, the system will serve as a living classroom. UCFSD will partner with high school staff this fall to integrate it into the curriculum, offering students hands-on STEM learning. 

“The panels on the roof are producing electricity for our school, but the most important thing they’ll produce is an opportunity for our students to learn about the energy systems of the future,” ended UCFSD Director of Facilities James Whitesel. 

The District will celebrate the completion of the system with a ribbon-cutting ceremony later this month. 

About the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is a high-performing public school system serving approximately 3,500 students in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The District consists of four elementary schools, one middle school, and Unionville High School, consistently ranked among the top public schools in Pennsylvania.

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District Names 2025-26 Wall of Honor Inductees

As a part of our community’s 2025-26 Homecoming celebrations, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District (UCFSD) proudly announced its Class of Wall of Honor Inductees. 

The UCFSD Wall of Honor Program recognizes the District’s alumni for their extraordinary success and contributions to society. 

Nominations for the UCFSD Wall of Honor are accepted on a bi-annual basis and are brought forward by the nominating committee to a selection committee of representatives from across the UCFSD community. 

“This year, there was an especially competitive pool of nominees,” reflected UCFSD Superintendent Tim Hoffman. “We are grateful to those who submitted a nomination and to our alumni who continue to live the District’s mission by making a difference. These Nominees connect our past with our present, highlighting a longevity of excellence in our school community.” 

Inductees will receive year-round recognition, including at a special celebration slated for later this year. 

The celebrants join more than forty others who have been honored since the program’s inception in 2008. They include: 

Larry Hood, Class of 1976. Lawrence "Larry" Pusey Hood Jr., got his start on a local poultry farm and grew up barbecuing chicken dinners for the Unionville Community Fair. Following his graduation from Unionville High School in 1976, “Hoodie” worked at Longwood Gardens as an arborist for 35 years. He and his family opened their own business in 2006. Today, Hood’s BBQ is a Unionville staple, serving up locally-sourced ingredients. Larry’s commitment to the UCFSD community extends beyond Hood’s Dine & Donate program. He also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Longwood Fire Company for 25 years, rising to the rank of Assistant Chief. 

Erin Matson, Class of 2018. Erin Matson was first selected to compete on the U.S. National Field Hockey Team as a Junior at Unionville High School. Following her graduation from UHS in 2018, Erin became widely known as the best Field Hockey player in University of North Carolina History. During her time with the Tar Heels, the team won five ACC championships and four NCAA championships. As a player, Erin is the all-time scoring leader in ACC and NCAA history. She is a three-time recipient of the Honda Sport Award for Field Hockey– and the ACC Network has recognized her remarkable influence by naming her a five-time ACC Player of the Year and one of the top 10 female athletes in conference history. In 2023, Erin became the youngest head coach in NCAA D1 history. During her inaugural year, she led UNC Field Hockey to another ACC and NCAA championship win. Erin has continued to give back to the UCFSD community through professional development for our coaches and staff. 

Karen TenEyck, Class of 1976. Named “Most Creative” in the Unionville High School Class of 1976, Karen TenEyck went on to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in graphic design at Kutztown University, and her Master of Fine Arts in set design at the Yale School of Drama. She moved to New York in 1992, and subsequently designed over 60 sets for many of the nation’s top regional theatres and opera companies including Manhattan Theatre Club, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Denver Center Theatre, Austin Lyric Opera, Alabama Shakespeare Festival and South Coast Rep. However, it was her work with Los Angeles Opera that convinced her to move to Los Angeles in 2000. Since then, she has designed graphics for over 60 movies including "Water for Elephants", "The Aviator", "Divergent", "Get On Up", "Zodiac", "The Master", “Lincoln”, “Alice Through the Looking Glass” and "Killers of the Flower Moon". She is widely known as one of the top graphic designers in Hollywood. She was on the Academy Award winning design teams for Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" and Steven Spielberg's "Lincoln", and has three other nominations. She was also on the Emmy winning design team for Steven Soderbergh's "Behind the Candelabra". She is currently working on rebuilding her home after it was lost in the Eaton Fire in Altadena, CA in January.

For more information on the UCFSD Wall of Honor Program, visit the District’s website. UCFSD will open nominations for the 2027-28 Class in Spring 2027. 

About the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District 

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is a high-performing public school system serving approximately 4,000 students in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The District consists of four elementary schools, one middle school and Unionville High School, consistently ranked among the top public schools in Pennsylvania.

Business & Computer Applications Department Prepares Students for Success Beyond UHS

Unionville High School (UHS) students are poised to excel in college and career thanks to a powerhouse Business & Computer Applications Department. That foundation will grow even stronger after team members Joe Kilpatrick, Zach Lawrence, Pat Sheehan, and Jack Starkey completed their 2025-26 curriculum review. 

If you ask UHS Teacher Jack Starkey what he’s most passionate about, it’s the chance for students to gain hands-on experience in the school’s new Cooperative Education Program. “This is a great opportunity for our students, especially those who will go on to higher education,” he began. “It’s tough to ask a 17- or 18-year-old to choose what they want to get training for and, if you know what tuition costs, you understand the stakes. It’s important for them to make the right decision and they won’t know until they try.” 

Beginning next year, students who work 10 or more hours per week in a paid or unpaid internship can earn two credits. Starkey says he now welcomes partnership from local organizations as he looks to pair Longhorns with the widest range of opportunities possible. 

Pennsylvania is also preparing to make personal finance a graduation requirement. Here, UHS is already ahead of the curve. “Introduction to Personal Finance is an extremely popular optional course,” reflected Starkey. The school will continue to offer the semesterlong course for 9th-12th graders who wish to learn the fundamentals, including income, spending, saving, investing, risk, insurance, and credit. 

For those who seek a deeper dive, 10th-12th graders can choose to enroll in the new AP Business with Personal Finance. A part of AP Career Kickstart program, this yearlong course will allow students to fulfill their graduation requirement, too, and gain a competitive advantage in the most popular college major in the U.S. A new AP Cybersecurity course will also be added to the catalog. 

In addition to the specialized knowledge students gain, UHS has a track record of preparing students for success in their AP tests. In 2024-25, 92% of UHS students scored a 3 or higher, many earning critical college credits. 

The Unionville High School 2026-27 Course Selection Guide will be available next month and Cooperative Education, Introduction to Personal Finance, AP Business with Personal Finance and AP Cybersecurity will all be available for students to select. 

While these updates mark a significant milestone, they represent just one piece of a broader district commitment to college and career readiness. The UCFSD community can expect to see more that bridges the gap between superior school experience and professional success. 

"As a district we are committed to making sure all our students have a career path once they leave Unionville High School,” said UCFSD Director of Curriculum & Instruction Amy Jenkins. “We view our students as future leaders; by investing in their professional readiness today, we are ensuring a vibrant and prosperous future for everyone."

About the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is a high-performing public school system serving approximately 4,000 students in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. The District consists of four elementary schools, one middle school and Unionville High School, consistently ranked among the top public schools in Pennsylvania.