Local school nets award from STEM
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 19, 2014 1:46 PM
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Dr. June Atkinson, center, state schools superintendent, presents a certificate to Gary Hales, principal of Wayne School of Engineering.
Wayne School of Engineering was one of 12 schools in the state recently recognized for having the attributes of a quality STEM, or science, technology, engineering and math, learning program.
The schools were the first in the state to receive this distinction by the STEM Recognition Program under the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, or DPI. The program was developed in partnership with representatives from schools, business and industry, as well as post-secondary institutions as a way to identify and acknowledge outstanding programs in that area.
The application process required schools to have implemented and sustained the essential "STEM attributes" needed to be successful in today's society, officials said. Programs were required to interweave science, technology, engineering and math into complementary courses in the arts, career and technical education, English language arts and world history.
There were two categories of awards. Exploris Charter Middle in Wake County met the criteria for Model Level of Achievement, while the other 11, which included Wayne School of Engineering, were designated Prepared Level of Achievement programs.
Overall, 21 applications from across the state were submitted and considered for the recognition. The rigorous application process required a self-assessment of the school and detailed responses addressing 11 attributes of STEM education -- from integration of technology and virtual learning to work-based learning experiences and business and community partnerships.
The recognition ceremony was held at during the recent State Board of Education meeting.
State Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson presented each recipient with a certificate and praised the STEM program.
"So many of the careers that await students after high school and college graduation are in STEM fields," she said. "The quality of STEM instruction provided to students will shape their success in these careers."
Wayne School of Engineering, located on the Goldsboro High School campus, opened in 2007 with 84 students. Five years later, it expanded to include a middle grades component.
It currently has approximately 450 students in grades 6-13, with high school students eligible to participate in dual enrollment classes at Wayne Community College and earn college credits. The additional year option at the school allows students to complete both high school and college courses before graduating.
In October, the school was recognized by DPI as being one of 43 schools in the state to have a 100 percent graduation rate.
Other schools on the Prepared Level of Achievement list included Contentnea-Savannah K-8 in Lenoir County; Brunswick Early College High in Brunswick County; J.N. Fries Magnet Middle in Cabarrus County; Elkin Middle School in Elkin County; Greene Central High in Greene County; STEM Early College at N.C. A&T in Guilford County; J. Sam Gentry Middle in Surry County, Brentwood Elementary School of Engineering in Wake County; and Atkins Academic and Technology High and Hanes Magnet Middle, both in Winston-Salem/Forsyth Schools.