STEM Magnet Academy
STEM Magnet Academy is located in the Near West Side of Chicago, Illinois (1522 West Fillmore Street, Chicago, IL 60607.) STEM Magnet Academy serves grades K-8 with a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), along with a strong art component. The school is part of the Chicago Public Schools, CPS, system.
| STEM Magnet Academy | |
|---|---|
 STEM Magnet Academy seal | |
| Address | |
1522 W Fillmore Street , 60607 United States | |
| Coordinates | 41°52′6.8988″N 87°39′51.195″W |
| Information | |
| Type | Magnet Cluster Elementary School |
| Motto | Imagine an amazing future |
| Established | 2011 |
| Oversight | Chicago Public Schools |
| Principal | Maria McManus |
| Grades | K-8 |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Number of students | 432 |
| Campus type | Urban |
| Website | stemmagnetacademy |
Admissions
STEM Magnet Academy is a magnet school that serves students from around the city. Applicants are admitted through a computerized lottery. However, those with a sibling who will remain for the next school year are automatically admitted. After siblings are accounted for, 40% of students living within a 1.5-mile radius are offered admission. The remaining seats are distributed among the four socioeconomic tiers. Those not offered a seat are provided with a waitlist number.
Curriculum
The school's STEM curriculum is implemented through the use of cutting-edge technology and an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to teaching and learning.[1] In addition to its core science, technology, engineering, and math component, literacy, art, music, and physical education classes are also a strong integral part of the curriculum.
History
STEM Magnet Academy occupies the same facility which once housed Jefferson Elementary School. After extensive renovation, the building re-opened its doors in August, 2011. As the first elementary school of its type in Illinois, it aims to provide a blueprint for other future STEM programs in the city of Chicago.[2] The school was also a pioneer in implementing the longer school day, an educational reform initiative launched by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.[3] Maria J. McManus is the current principal. STEM Magnet Academy has had problems with high teacher turnover. In summer of 2015, seven of STEM's twenty-three full time teachers, including the science and engineering teachers, resigned.
STEM's first LSC (Local School Council) was formed in 2014.