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A
81%
15.4
15.9%
ºPercent of students who are considered economically disadvantaged.
The Okaloosa County STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medical) Academy trains students in grades 6-8 with curriculum which focuses on math and sciences.
The school, which was founded in 2012 on the campus of the old Valparaiso Elementary School, also includes a Center for STEMM innovation and a teacher training center.
The school, which is CogNiA/AdvancED certified started with 88 students ten years ago and now has more than 300 students from Okaloosa, Walton and Santa Rosa Counties.
Fourth and Fifth-grade students in Okaloosa County public schools who score above a certain level on the math and science sections of their Florida Standardized Tests automatically receive an invitation to attend STEMM. Other students, who may not have scored as highly, have the opportunity to apply for admission into the school. Students who wish to apply must complete a packet that includes a cover sheet, a dress and appearance agreement, an essay from both the applying student and a parent or guardian, and a recommendation form from a teacher.
Students who meet the test requirements or apply and are accepted to the Okaloosa STEMM Academy must live in either Santa Rosa, Okaloosa or Walton Counties.
Students at the STEMM Academy have the opportunity to accrue high school credits in a variety of Science, Technology and Mathematics courses before entering high school. Students can receive high school credit for Algebra I Honors, Geometry I Honors, Physical Science I Honors, Fundamentals of Web Design and Earth Space Science Honors.
Additionally, students must take a Career and Technical Education (CTE) elective every year. More than half of students enrolled at the STEMM academy have one or more ICT and Microsoft Certifications. These include certs in web design essentials, computing essentials, programming and logic essentials and intro to HTML 5 and CSS.
Classes at the STEMM Academy are on the block systems, which means learners have 100 minute intensive sessions in their coursework. They also receive extensive performance-based lab instruction.
379 Edge Ave, Valparaiso, FL 32580
Students at the Okaloosa STEMM Academy have a wealth of unique opportunities at the school. These include the Drone Team, FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, student council, Student 2 Student, the philosophy club, the anime club and a social club.
As a part of the agreement they make to attend the school, students are required to wear a uniform. This uniform consists of khakis and a polo with school logo for boys and a skirt or khakis with a blouse or polo for girls.
You can learn more about the STEMM Center’s Uniforms below:
While STEMM Academy itself does not have any sports teams, students who attend the school are able to participate in sports at the public school they are districted for or at the Lewis School in Valparaiso.
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