STEMS @ Therrell |
A World-class Education for the 21st Century and Beyond |
Education at the STEMS
Our rigorous curriculum in mathematics, science, and engineering, provides hands-on, project and problem-based experiences that challenge young minds to reach their full potential. All mathematics and science labs are state-of-the-art, with each classroom equipped with a Promethean Activ board. Technology is a teaching and learning tool at the STEMS. Scholars regularly use graphing calculators and personal computers to explore their ideas and deepen their understanding of complex mathematical and scientific concepts.
Engineering
Our partnership with Project Lead the Way allows STEMS scholars to enjoy a series of exciting and challenging pre-engineering courses and projects with real-world applications of classroom concepts. These classes expose scholars to electrical, chemical, civil, and mechanical engineering, and culminate in a final 12th grade course, where they are required to invent a new product or design an improvement to an existing product. As a certified PLTW high school, the STEMS will offer up to 12 college credits through Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) or Atlanta Technical College (Atlanta Tech) to all scholars who pass the challenging end-of-course exams.
Early College Academy
STEMS School of Energy, an Early College Academy opens fall 2009…
Through the collaboration of Georgia Power, HTS Enterprises, Atlanta Metro Chamber, Georgia Tech, Atlanta Technical College, and Ralph Bunche middle school, the STEMS is opening its School for Energy during the fall 2009. This Early College Academy offers eligible graduates a dual High School Diploma and Associates Degree, plus industry certification as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). CEM earns approximately $80,000 annually. Graduates who then matriculate to Georgia Tech could be able to earn their Bachelor’s degree after only 2 additional years.
8 Learning Outcomes
Our instructional program aims to be both cohesive and coherent, providing students with a seamless transition as they travel from class to class throughout their day and as they move from one grade level to the next. As a result we have identified eight outcomes to which every student, in every class, on every grade level, will be held accountable. The demonstration of these outcomes is the foundation of our assessment system: Content Mastery, Oral Proficiency, Written Proficiency, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, Technological Proficiency, Work Ethic, and Civic Responsibility. Students maintain a digital portfolio of their work that includes evidence of meeting the eight identified learning outcomes and, along with their team members, participate in regular exhibitions of their learning.
Our Values
Our community recognizes that the path toward a successful and fulfilling life requires the steady practice of enduring values. At the STEMS, our values are embodied in one word: PERFECTION, and, everyday, we strive to positively reinforce these values with our scholars: Preparation, Effort, Respect, Focus, Excellence, Courage, Trust, Imagination, Originality, and Nobleness. Scholars who exhibit these qualities earn STEMS Scholar Dollars (school money), which they can spend at our school store (Panther’s Lair) or at the STEMS monthly auction. Town hall meetings allow us to further promote our strong recognition and incentive program, which reinforces our values, and strengthens our positive school culture. Once every week, the whole school comes together for an hour to discuss issues and concerns, make announcements, and celebrate our individual and team accomplishments.
Habits of Mind
Applying research on effort-based learning, the STEMS aims to develop students’ intelligence by cultivating the habits of mind. The habits of mind are a set of specific intellectual behaviors that support critical and creative thought. For example, in the face of adversity, employing specific habits of mind will help students make thoughtful decisions to solve problems. Scholars at the STEMS are taught to use the habits of: Managing Impulsivity, Persisting, Striving for Accuracy and Precision, Communicating with Clarity and Precision, and Working Interdependently.
Our Core Beliefs
The STEMS community believes in the dignity and worth of all individuals. We believe all scholars possess unique and valuable qualities which, when developed, will enable them to be thoughtful and constructive members of society. We also recognize that personal growth occurs through participation in a variety of academic, athletic, artistic, and community programs, and in the positive relationships scholars form with peers and adults in a small school. We offer these opportunities to our students through both our Advisory program and Extended-Day programs.
Advisory Program
Our small school community prides itself on our nurturing learning environment that ensures that every child is known well. No scholar is anonymous and no scholar will fall through the cracks. Our advisory program assigns each scholar to an advisor (teacher) who is responsible and accountable for him/her for the entire 4 years of high school. Taking care of his/her every need in school, the advisor is the scholar’s advocate as well as the liaison between the school and the home. No major decision about the student is made without the input of the advisor.
Extended-Day Programs
Our Extended-Day Program offers a wide variety of extra-curricular activities in addition to academic support and enrichment. Students may participate in one or more of the numerous clubs, organizations, and athletic teams, including football, indoor and outdoor track (girls are 2007 and 2008 state champions), basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, plus Student Government Association, National Honor Society, math, science, and technology (MST) team, debate team, robotics team, performing arts club, marching band, and campus choir (Scholars with Voices). Our extended-day academic program runs after school and on Saturdays, and includes programs such as, the Teacher Tutor Services, the Homework Helpers, Literacy Lab, GGT/EOCT/SAT Prep, Credit Recovery, and the After-School Credit Acquisition Program.
Partnerships
The network of support we receive from our strongest advocates-parents, community and business partners-provides the leverage we need to garner additional resources to help us provide more opportunities for our scholars. Through its Exploring program, the National Boys Scout of America coordinates activities for scholars to explore careers via job shadowing, career day, and other events. Our school is an Exploring Post, and every student is a member. Georgia Power offers job shadowing and internship opportunities for rising seniors. Georgia Tech provides mentors, tutors and guest lecturers. HTS Enterprises sponsors field trips to engineering colleges and industries, professional learning for instructors, and the SMART Academy (Science, Math Academic Reinforcement Tutorial). The Andrew Young YMCA collaborates with us to offer the Young Adult Alternative Academic Day Program (YA3), a 2 to 10-day program for students who are suspended from school.
Parent Leaders
Parents are our most valuable partners. In addition to traditional roles such as teacher assistants, ambassadors, field trip chaperones, and school committee members, parents may participate in our award-winning Center for Parent Leadership (CPL). The CPL provides unique opportunities for parents to directly impact student achievement. The 10-week program covers all aspects of school and district governance and culminates in an individual project done by each parent designed to improve students’ academic achievement. Graduates receive stipends or Professional Learning Units [PLU] and many go on to assume leadership roles in the community.
School Dress Code
In keeping with the regulations developed by the Superintendent, the STEMS community has designated a specific apparel to be worn at school. Our school dress code policy sets expectations for student dress and grooming to avoid disruption of the instructional program, violation of health and safety standards, and offense of common standards of decency. The required dress is described below:
Regular School Day:
Black or red polo shirt or blouse with collar
Khaki pants/slacks or skirt
Shoes, boots, or sneakers
Professional Dress (Thursday) or Special events/Trips:
Dress code is strictly enforced
Join Our School Family
The STEMS is an exciting place to work and learn. We are a strong team with a passion for teaching and learning. As always, we are looking for smart and talented future scholars and instructors to come join our school family. Our focus is on preparation for college, so students do not have to have an interest in engineering to attend our school. If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at 404-802-5360 or kware@atlanta.k12.ga.us.
A World-class Education for the 21st Century and Beyond
