Application and Admissions
Application Process
Step 1. | Application Packet Complete and return all of the components of the application packet. |
Step 2. | Teacher Recommendation Have teachers complete the Math Teacher Recommendation Form and the Language Arts Teacher Recommendation Form. (If your child is in a self-contained class, any other teacher can complete the Language Arts form.) These forms must be returned directly to STEMM from the teachers. |
Step 3. | Informational Session Attend an optional “Becoming a Stinger” Information Session to find out more about what STEMM has to offer. |
Step 4. | Application Evaluation and Selection The Admissions Committee will evaluate the application. The essays and Teacher Recommendation form are reviewed by the Admissions Committee, and applicants are rated based on several factors such as standardized test scores, grades, attendance, and discipline, before final selections are made. |
Step 5. | Notification All applicants who complete the application process will receive notification of decision. Acceptance notifications will be made on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed and throughout the Spring and Summer. |
Application Instructions
Complete and submit the application packet with the following components:
Students who were not enrolled in an OCSD school last year, from private schools, or from out-of-state also need to include:
documentation of standardized test scores
a copy of the current report card or transcript
name and address of a person at the school we can contact for any needed information
Give the Teacher Recommendation forms to your child’s current language arts and math teachers. If your student is in a self-contained class, please give the ELA form to any other teacher. These forms must be returned by the teachers directly to the STEMM Academy.
Submitting Your Application
Please return the completed application as soon as possible. The Admissions Committee will not review the candidate until the application packet is complete. Keep in mind that we did have a waiting list last year, and are anticipating another waiting list this year.
Once your application packet and the two Teacher Recommendation Forms have been received, the Admissions Committee will review the candidate. Applicants are ranked based on several factors including standardized test scores, grades, attendance, and discipline, before final decisions are made. Acceptance notifications will be made on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed throughout the Spring and Summer.
Completed application packets may be returned via:
email to Mrs. Amy LaFrenier at amy.lafrenier@okaloosaschools.com
USPS mail to 379 Edge Avenue, Valparaiso, FL 32580
or hand-delivery to the Okaloosa STEMM Academy office, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm.
For More Information
During our admissions period, we offer a "Becoming a Stinger" informational event for prospective STEMM students and their parents. We hope that you will come find out more about what STEMM has to offer.
You can also read our informational flyer to get answers to many of our frequently asked questions.
You can view our Curriculum Guide to get an overview of our innovative, challenging, and interesting course offerings as well as information about course pre-requisites. As a STEMM-focused school, students are expected to take at least one CTE elective each year. Because our sixth-grade students take Math 7 Advanced, they are going straight from fifth-grade math into seventh-grade advanced math. To prepare for the Math 7 Advanced course, we recommend that all incoming sixth-grade students take the Math 6 Advanced course online prior to the start of the school year. Taking the online Math 6 course will help with transition into the rigorous and accelerated advanced math class.
For more information, please email our Dean of Students, Mrs. Russ, at russj2@okaloosaschools.com.
