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STEAM Academy students showcase inventions as school reports enrollment gains and improved attendance
Summary
STEAM Academy presented student inventions and project‑based learning examples as principal Heather Myers reported enrollment growth to 480 students (a 66% increase over four years), improved attendance and interim assessment gains; a parent described academic turnaround for his son after moving to STEAM.
Students, staff and families from STEAM Academy presented inventions and project‑based learning projects to the school board committee on March 9, and principal Heather Myers used the showcase to report growth in enrollment and interim student outcomes.
First graders described inventions such as a privacy curtain to assist with testing and a desk organizer; older students showed project work including thermal‑insulated cups and maker‑market activities. "I am Heather Myers, principal at STEAM," Myers said before reviewing school data. She told the committee that STEAM now "serves 480 students," and that enrollment has grown 66% in four years, with about 75% of students economically disadvantaged, ~15% multilingual learners and ~21% receiving special education services.
A parent recognized at the meeting, Anthony Collier, described an academic turnaround since his son joined STEAM: "he's distinguished honor roll now... he's all A's," the parent said, crediting the school's supports. School staff described attendance strategies (monthly attendance challenges, home visits) and restorative alternatives that reduced level‑2 discipline referrals by about 5% while using alternative responses to suspension.
Instructional staff outlined project‑based learning goals and said interim assessments show encouraging gains. One presenter summarized interim math growth as about 9% between assessment cycles and described PLC restructuring to spread promising practices across grade levels.
What's next: STEAM invited board members to a May showcase and said it will continue to scale project‑based learning and leadership development for teachers. The program asked the board to note the school's progress as district leaders plan budgets and staffing.
