Application and Admissions

The Okaloosa STEMM Academy is a public middle school with a focus on STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Medical). Any 6th-, 7th-, or 8th-grade student in Okaloosa, Walton, or Santa Rosa counties is welcome to apply to the STEMM Academy. Because the STEMM Academy has a rigorous, advanced program of study with high school-level classes offered beginning in 6th-grade, students are selected based on a strong academic record with high math and science achievement.

We are pleased that you are considering the Okaloosa STEMM Academy for your child. The application and admission process allows our Admissions Committee to learn more about the applicant, while providing your family an opportunity to investigate what the STEMM Academy has to offer. We look forward to getting to know your child through the application process, and welcome your questions at any time.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our STEMM Stinger family!

Application and Admissions flyer

Application Process

Step 1.

Application Packet

Complete and return all of the components of the application packet.

Step 2.

Teacher Recommendation

Give the Teacher Recommendation form to your child’s teacher. The form must be returned directly to STEMM from the teacher.

Step 3.

Informational Session 

Attend an optional “Becoming a Stinger” Information Session or our Spring Open House 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

  1. Complete and submit the application packet with the following components:

  2. 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

  3. Give the Teacher Recommendation form to one of your child’s current teachers. This form must be returned by the teacher 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 Teacher Recommendation Form 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. Interested families are also invited to attend our spring Open House. We hope that you will attend one of these events to 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.

Becoming A Stinger Information Session February 27 from 2:30 until 3:30