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.

The application process for attending STEMM Academy consists of 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 and a copy of the current report card or transcript.

Once your application packet, essays, and the Teacher Recommendation Form have been received, the Admissions Committee will review and evaluate the candidate. Applicants are ranked based on several factors including standardized test scores, current grades, attendance, and discipline, before final selections are made. 

Please return the completed application as soon as possible. Keep in mind that we did have a waiting list last year, and are anticipating another waiting list this year. Acceptance notifications will be made on a rolling basis as applications are reviewed and evaluated from February through July.

Completed application packets may be returned via USPS mail or hand-delivered to the Okaloosa STEMM Academy office, Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 2:30 pm.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our STEMM Stinger family. Please don’t hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions.



Step 1.

Application Packet

The application packet for attending the STEMM Academy consists of an application cover sheet, a dress and appearance code agreement, an essay written by the student, and an essay written by the parent. 

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 Evaluation form are scored by a committee, and applicants are rated based on several factors such as standardized test scores, current 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 evaluated from February through July. 

Step 6.

New Student Registration

New students will register at the STEMM Academy for courses. After reviewing the Curriculum Guide, students will submit their requests for electives. 

 

For More Information

Okaloosa STEMM Academy Becoming A Stinger An Informational Event for Prospective Students and their Parents SHOWCASE Explore our core and elective course offerings. Talk to teachers and club sponsors about classes and extracurricular activities. REGISTRATION OVERVIEW Attend an information session about selecting courses and the admissions process.

We are offering a "Becoming a Stinger" informational event for prospective STEMM students and their parents on Thursday, March 31 from 2:30 to 3:30pm. Interested families are also invited to attend our spring Open House on Thursday, April 28 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. 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 secretary, Pam Page at pamela.page@okaloosaschools.com.

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Scheree Martin, Principal



Okaloosa STEMM Academy
379 Edge Avenue
Valparaiso, FL 32580


School Hours: 7:00 - 2:30
Phone: 850-833-4120 
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