If students can dream it, we can design a way to build it.

The STEM diploma track is available to rising 9^th and 10^th grade students enrolled at Fellowship.  Students must complete an online STEM application that will provide us with information about their academic aptitude and overall motivation.  The application requires at least two teacher recommendations.   A STEM selection committee will then select students based on their potential to complete the program.  Conditional acceptance may be granted for those requiring summer work to meet prerequisite requirements. 

The STEM diploma track requires 28 units of instruction, or 7 classes per year.  Students who wish to make room in their schedules for additional courses or study halls may take online or summer classes to satisfy some core requirements.  It is expected that courses in math, computer science, health and PE will be offered during the summer.  Summer work will incur an additional cost above the standard tuition.

There is no additional tuition cost, however, there is a small annual technology fee of $75.  Students may also elect to take summer courses to meet prerequisites and/or soften loads during the regular school year.  Registration fees for summer courses are not included in FCS tuition.

A STEM pathway is a focused plan of study within a particular STEM field and are designed to support student collegiate goals and interests. Fellowship offers five pathways:

·       Engineering Science Pathway

·       Engineering Technology Pathway

·       Computer Science Pathway

·       Digital Technology Pathway

·       Architectural/Industrial Design Pathway
Students may select a particular Pathway upon enrollment or may take a STEM Core program and select a pathway prior to their junior year.  Each pathway has a specific course plan for graduation.

We are very excited about our STEM facilities. Our high school building includes several laboratories, including a separate STEM lab and FAB lab. The STEM lab provides students with the space and equipment to pursue hands-on activities in mechanics, electronics, and computer aided design/manufacturing. It also supports various after school activities such as robotics. The FAB lab contains woodworking tools, metalworking tools, and computer controlled rapid prototyping devices. Our students soon learn that if they can dream it, then they can build it.

Fellowship will partner with local companies to host student interns.  Many of these may be with companies of current Fellowship families.  Internships will normally occur in the summer following the junior year or during Winterim of the senior year.  Internships are normally unpaid positions in which students gain invaluable work experience.  Students will earn 0.5 units of course credit for each 70 clock hours of internship service.

Students who enter the STEM diploma track may withdraw from the program prior to the start of any school year.  It is recognized that some students will decide that STEM may not be for them during the course of the program.  There will be no penalty or stigma for withdrawing from the track.  These students will likely be ahead in math and science as they join another track.

In Elementary school, students are exposed to STEM competencies throughout the curriculum. Students in 4th and 5th grade can participate in a Spark and Ignite program which includes an activity based  STEM Lab and a school news video production team.

The Middle school offers an Introduction to STEM, and Robotics elective.  These electives provide students with hands-on experience in science and engineering.  These introductory electives will allow young students to sample various STEM fields while helping them decide if the high school STEM program is right for them.  A competitive Vex robotics program is also available for 7^th and 8^th grade students.

Please contact Drew Lawes for more information.  We are excited about our STEM program and if you, or your student, believe that STEM is in your future, please let us know.  It’s never too early to express your interest in STEM!