INDIANA—The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today recognized a new cohort of schools for their excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Several schools that have renewed their certifications and others demonstrate emerging STEM programs.
Locally recognized were:
- Helmsburg Elementary, Brown County School Corporation
- Lakeview Elementary, Monroe County Community School Corporation
- Salem Middle School, Salem School Corporation
- Shoals Elementary School, Shoals School Corporation
- Medora STEM Academy, Medora Community Schools
Sixteen schools across Indiana have recently earned STEM Certification, highlighting their commitment to innovative STEM teaching that extends beyond traditional classroom settings.
Additionally, nine schools have successfully renewed their STEM Certification for an additional five years, demonstrating continued dedication to high-quality STEM education. Five schools were also designated as Developing in STEM Certification, recognizing their significant progress in fostering an engaging STEM culture. Medora STEM Academy is among the schools with this new designation.
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, emphasized the importance of these certifications. “Indiana’s STEM-certified schools highlight the importance of equipping our students with the skills to think critically and to solve problems in an ever-changing technological world,” said Dr. Jenner. “Investing in STEM is about more than preparing our students for high-demand careers – it’s about igniting their curiosity and confidence and empowering them to shape the future of Indiana and beyond.”
The STEM Certification program, established in 2015, recognizes schools that employ an inquiry-based, project-based learning approach, emphasizing community engagement, entrepreneurship, student-centered classrooms, integration into humanities and related arts, and out-of-school STEM activities. Secondary schools, in particular, require heightened coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve this certification. Currently, over 100 schools statewide hold STEM Certification.
All certified schools undergo a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years for recertification. The “Developing” designation, introduced in the 2022-2023 school year, aims to support schools in building infrastructure for sustainable, high-quality STEM education, offering them strategic support from IDOE as they work towards full certification.
Newly Earned STEM Certification:
- Adams Central Junior/Senior High School, Adams Central Community Schools
- Anderson High School, Anderson Community School Corporation
- Brush Creek Elementary School, Jennings County Community Schools
- Critchfield Elementary School, LaPorte Community School Corporation
- Elwood Haynes Elementary School, Kokomo Community Schools
- Fishback Creek Public Academy, MSD of Pike Township
- Greensburg Junior High School, Greensburg Community Schools
- Helmsburg Elementary, Brown County School Corporation
- James A. Garfield School, Indianapolis Public Schools
- Kingsford Heights Elementary, LaPorte Community School Corporation
- Lakeview Elementary, Monroe County Community School Corporation
- North Harrison High School, North Harrison Community School Corporation
- Northpoint Elementary, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools
- Salem Middle School, Salem School Corporation
- Scipio Elementary, Jennings County Community Schools
- Shoals Elementary School, Shoals School Corporation
Renewed STEM Certification for Five Additional Years:
- Aurora Elementary School, South Dearborn Community School Corporation
- Claypool Elementary, Warsaw Community Schools
- Elm Road Elementary, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools
- Jefferson Elementary, Warsaw Community Schools
- Maconaquah Middle School, Maconaquah School Corporation
- Madison Elementary School, Warsaw Community Schools
- Mary Castle Elementary, MSD of Lawrence Township
- Skiles Test Elementary, MSD of Lawrence Township
- Washington STEM Academy, Warsaw Community Schools
Schools Designated as Developing in STEM Certification:
- Adams Central Elementary, Adams Central Community Schools
- Borden Elementary School, Borden-Henryville School Corporation
- East Noble High School, East Noble School Corporation
- Kesling Intermediate School, LaPorte Community School Corporation
- Medora STEM Academy, Medora Community Schools
