Board approves Snead Middle School STEM Scholars pathway to feed West Florence STEM magnet

The Florence 1 Board approved a new STEM Scholars pathway at Snead Middle School designed to prepare students for the West Florence High School STEM magnet, Greg Hall, assistant superintendent for secondary, told the board.

Hall described a three-year cohort model beginning in sixth grade that integrates STEM into English, math, science and social studies and provides exploratory electives such as Intro to STEM, Intro to Biomedical Sciences, Intro to Computer Science and Intro to Engineering. In seventh grade students choose a track (biomedical, computer science, or engineering) and in eighth grade they begin pre-AP and high-school credit coursework. Hall said students completing the pathway could earn "up to 5 high school credits before they leave eighth grade" and that successful students would receive automatic acceptance into the West Florence STEM magnet program.

Board members praised the proposal as a long-sought identity for Snead, and asked clarifying questions about curriculum integration and the potential to highlight financial incentives to motivate students toward career pathways. Hall said previously distributed materials would be integrated into the program and noted the pathway’s intent to increase access to AP coursework, dual enrollment and career-technical education options.

The board moved, seconded and approved the pathway and associated packet materials by voice vote. Administrators will proceed with implementation planning and student selection criteria in accordance with the materials presented to the board.