The Okaloosa STEMM Academy is committed to providing critical transition support for military-connected children as they relocate to new schools due to a parent's change in duty station. We recognize the educational and socio-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school. Our focus is to eliminate barriers to the academic success of military-connected children and to assist military families with education matters that are unique to the military lifestyle such as school transitions, frequent moves, deployment, and education inconsistencies that exist from state to state.

Ms. Riggins, our school counselor, is our POC for military families. She is available to help incoming families navigate the enrollment and registration process, and connect them to resources and information on an ongoing basis. She will also ensure that students and parents feel supported throughout their time in our STEMM community.  

The STEMM Faculty embraces our military families and understands the unique challenges faced by military students. Professional development is provided annually to staff concerning how to identify and respond to the needs of military students and their families. We are proud to be a part of a large military community. We especially enjoy educating the children of our service men and women and value the diversity and insight they bring to our classrooms. 

The Okaloosa STEMM Academy reserves at least 5% of controlled open enrollment seats, as defined in Section 1002.31, F.S., and School Board Policy 04-48 for military students.

School Military Point of Contact:
Annie Riggins

Our Student 2 Student (S2S) Ambassadors program is a student-led program with the mission to take care of new students. This year, our S2S President and transition coordinator is William Kohler.

The S2S Ambassadors welcome our incoming students, show them their new campus, and introduce them to their new community. S2S Ambassadors provide fun ways for new students to get to know other students and to build new peer groups. S2S is an initiative developed by the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) that brings military and civilian students together to create a positive environment, support academic excellence, and ease transitions.

When new students join the STEMM Academy, the S2S Ambassadors provide a welcoming face to ease the stress of joining a new community. On the new student's first day on campus, an S2S Ambassador is assigned as a mentor to greet them in the morning, familiarize them with campus, help them find their new classes, be a buddy at lunch, and answer questions about extracurricular activities, clubs, and coursework. The peer mentor and other S2S Ambassadors check in with the new student regularly during the first few weeks to assure that the new student is adjusting to the new school.