What are STEM schools?

STEM schools are specially designed to nurture STEM education. Specialized STEM schools currently exist in many US cities, including Washington DC, San Diego, and Denver. While no two schools work in exactly the same way, STEM schools typically offer a curriculum broader than their moniker would suggest: they provide students with a well-rounded education in the arts and humanities as well as STEM subjects.

The curriculum for DRSS, while not yet developed, is expected to require 24 units for graduation (Ohio high schools will require 20 units for classes graduating in 2014). Music and art classes will be included, as will health, physical education, and foreign language. A common feature of STEM school instruction is its emphasis on inquiry-based learning. Promoting world-class teaching techniques, the schools seek to inspire students to solve problems using creativity and scientific principles.

Who are STEM school students?

Most public STEM schools, contrary to perception, do not have restrictive admissions policies. Ohio H.B.119, legislation including the biennial budget that created Ohio STEM schools, states that STEM schools ”will not limit admission to students on the basis of intellectual ability, measures of achievement or aptitude…” The measure further requires each state-funded STEM school to “assert its best effort to attract a diverse student body that reflects the community,” and to “recruit students from disadvantaged and underrepresented groups.”