State School Superintendent Richard Woods visited three Gwinnett schools recently to honor them for their work preparing students for the future. Mr. Woods hosted the STEM Certification Recognition Ceremony and Banner Presentation at Paul Duke STEM High School, Coleman Middle School, and Peachtree Ridge High School.
Paul Duke STEM High School earned STEM School Certification from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) for its schoolwide program offerings in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The school serves students in the Norcross Cluster. Paul Duke STEM High is the first Title I, non-magnet, and majority Hispanic/Latino high school in the state of Georgia to receive the Whole-School Certification. “The STEM Certification from the Georgia DOE is an acknowledgement of the powerful work that our students and teachers engage in each and every day,” Dr. Jonathon Wetherington, the Principal at Paul Duke Duke STEM High, shares. “We are also one of the largest STEM certified high schools in Georgia with more than 1,225 students. This recognition is due to our innovative schedule, exceptional STEM instructional design, equitable approach to STEM for all students, and high levels of student achievement.”
In addition, Coleman Middle School was recertified as a STEAM School by the GaDOE for its schoolwide program that combines the arts with STEM instruction. Schools may apply for recertification every five years. Coleman, which first earned school certification in 2017, is part of the Duluth Cluster.
“This state STEAM recertification is a testament to the commitment and dedication that our students, parents, faculty, and partners in the City of Duluth have demonstrated in the past five years to a shared vision of creating a student-focused community that promotes lifelong learning and real-world problem solving through the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics,” says Dr. Gypsy Hernandez, Coleman’s principal. “With this recertification, we are now committed to strengthening our program in the next five years by focusing on innovative ways to make our students future-ready!”
Peachtree Ridge High School’s STEM Program for Innovation, Rigor and Excellence (SPIRE) integrates STEM and literacy content standards in a collaborative, authentic, and engaging environment to increase student achievement and inquiry. Jadd Jarusinski, the Principal at Peachtree Ridge High, is proud of his team. “I would like to recognize and congratulate all of our SPIRE teachers and students on this amazing accomplishment,” Mr. Jarusinski said. “Our teachers work extremely hard and have passion for our students, school, science, and our SPIRE program. This is why it is so successful.”
The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) offers STEM and STEAM Certification to recognize schools that implement a culture of innovation, interdisciplinary instruction, business and community partnerships. To earn STEM certification, schools must submit an application that shows that they meet specific criteria, including evidence of teacher collaboration, business and industry partnerships, high levels of math and science instruction, and an integrated, project-based STEM or STEAM curriculum. A team from the GaDOE visits each school to observe its program.
Schools have a choice between two models for certification: Whole school or Program. Program certification indicates that the school has selected a group of students to participate in their STEM or STEAM programs. Schools determine the criteria for student selection in Program certified schools. All STEM and STEAM schools have the opportunity to reapply for certification every five years. Learn more about STEM/STEAM certification in Georgia here: https://www.stemgeorgia.org/
About STEM/STEAM Certification in GCPS…
Gwinnett County Public Schools has 11 state-certified schools and programs with a STEM or STEAM focus. State-certified schools in STEM include Lovin Elementary School, Mason Elementary School, White Oak Elementary School, Paul Duke STEM High School, and Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology. GaDOE has certified STEM programs at Lanier Middle School (SPIRE), Collins Hill High School (RISE), Mill Creek High School (EPIC), Peachtree Ridge High School (SPIRE), and Lanier High School (CDAT). Coleman Middle School is the district’s only STEAM-certified school.
*pictures can be found here