STEM – which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – is a national education movement designed to create critical thinking skills across disciplines, prepare students for science and math courses in college, and help communities stay competitive in a global economy. Evidence shows these schools and programs produce graduates with a deeper knowledge and a stronger passion for learning, particularly science and mathematics. That knowledge and passion translate into much higher rates of college attendance and more students majoring in scientific and technical fields.

We will strive to help all students engage in the 4 C’s:

• curiosity
• critical thinking
• collaboration
• communication

The STEM Program at ECCA is designed to prepare students for success in post-secondary education, career, and citizenship. It will appeal to students who seek a small-school approach to learning, where academic subjects are connected, and where students are engaged in rigorous science and mathematics content integrated with a STEM-themed pathway.

The Effingham County Board of Education has approved to add approximately 47,000 square feet to the existing Effingham College & Career Academy (ECCA) building and additional parking spaces to serve the growth.  The STEM Program at ECCA opened in 2016 with 125 freshmen and 125 sophomores.  The school now accommodates 150 students per grade level. With 150 students per grade level, the STEM Program will create a highly personalized learning environment with a small school model. At full capacity, it is expected that the STEM Program at ECCA will house 500 students.  These 500 students will be in addition to the approximately 600 students that are served through the ECCA CTAE Pathway programs.

Click Here to learn more about the history of ECCA.

This number of students has proven to work well to provide a personalized learning environment. Highly personalized learning within the small school model is a core attribute of the STEM Program.  This model focuses on a small learning community with an emphasis on individual student and faculty interaction. Each student’s progress is individually assessed and addressed to achieve growth in both academic and workplace skills areas.

It costs nothing to attend the STEM Program. The STEM Program is a specialized school within the Effingham County School System, funded and supported by the district. 

The STEM Program’s mission is to produce students who are college- and work-ready upon graduation. School courses and curricula are designed to make sure STEM Program graduates will be able to attend college and be successful once there. STEM Program students will have the opportunity to earn college credits while still enrolled in high school through Advanced Placement exams and Move On When Ready (MOWR).

The STEM Program will offer Spanish and French.  Health and Personal Fitness is a graduation requirement for all students.

All information that will be shared at the base high school will be shared with the students who are in the STEM Program.

We also post the ECCA Morning Announcements as well as shortcuts to the ECHS & SEHS Morning Announcement pages on the ECCA Website's homepage.

www.effinghamschools.com/ecca

ECCA Morning Announcements [ click here ]

ECHS Morning Announcements [ click here ]

SEHS Morning Announcements [ click here ]

The STEM Program staff will work to develop new partnerships with STEM-focused businesses. The program is currently facilitated by the school Work-Based Learning Coordinators at Effingham County High School and South Effingham High School.

STEM Program teachers are dedicated, passionate educators who continuously work to improve learning experiences for students. All Advanced Placement (AP) courses are taught by College Board certified instructors. Our teachers are employed by the Effingham County Board of Education.

Students living in the Effingham County School District may attend the STEM Program. Our innovative, relevant programs will appeal to self-motivated, responsible students who seek a more personalized, small-school approach to learning, where academic subjects are connected, and where students engage in learning beyond the school walls. Students are admitted through a lottery process.

STEM Program students will be given the opportunity to earn additional academic credits. Courses may be offered at the STEM Program that are not offered at the base high school. The courses will be more rigorous, preparing students for STEM-related post-secondary majors and careers. Because the STEM Program offers more Advanced Placement courses than the base high school, students may potentially earn additional college credits. STEM Program students will also be immersed in problem based learning and have many opportunities for hands-on, real world experiences.

Students will receive a diploma from their base high school.

Upon successful completion of the STEM Program graduation requirements, students will be acknowledged with a STEM Endorsement on Class Night and Graduation.

note: The ECHS, SHES, ECCA, and ECCA/STEM logo marks are the Intellectual Property of the Effingham County School District. Please visit https://www.effinghamschools.com/administrative-services/communications-office/ecsd-logos to learn more.

Morning - The STEM Program offers a zero period starting at 7:30 AM. For the zero period, the student’s parents must provide transportation to the STEM Program. If the parent cannot provide transportation, there are two shuttle busses that depart from Marlow Elementary and South Effingham Elementary each morning.

Afternoon – At 2:30, students will be transported back to their base high school for 7th period.

Yes.

We ask students and parents to carefully consider if the STEM Program is appropriate for them and recognize the responsibilities that come with attending this rigorous academic program.

• We are looking for students who want to be a part of something special, to take part in experiences not available at a typical high school, and to attend the STEM Program for all four years.
• Students who enroll are expected to complete the school year.
  • However, a student may withdraw from the STEM Program within the first ten school days and return to their base school. The student will be responsible for any work missed at the base school.
  • Students with a failing grade at the end of the nine-week grading period will be placed on academic probation. Parents will be required to attend a student-parent conference to discuss academic probation. This meeting will include a conversation as to whether the student should continue at the STEM Program or return to the base school.
• The administrator of the STEM Program retains the authority to have the student return to the base school.

Yes. Please be mindful that while the additional points count for class rank/transcript grades, they will be removed in the HOPE GPA calculation.

Final course grades are posted on the transcript for the base high school. Class Rank is calculated at the base high school.

Yes. The students at the Effingham College & Career Academy, including those who attend the STEM Program, can particate in a number of CTSOs (Career Technical Student Organizations) and Clubs, including a Math Club, Science Club, Programming Club, HOSA, Tech Club and TSA (Technology Student Association). Students will spend time after school preparing for Robotics competitions, Science and Engineering Fairs, etc. STEM Program students will be able to participate in sports and extra-curricular activities at their base high school.

Yes.

As with other extracurricular activities, all Effingham College & Career Academy students, including those to attend the STEM Program, may participate in social events offered by their base high school.

Yes, students must adhere to the uniform policy of their base high school.

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