steam middle school

CHISD Launches New STEAM Middle School Academies

Due to high demand, Cedar Hill ISD has extended the application period for the district’s new STEAM* middle school academies. In August, the district will open the Bessie Coleman Middle School Environmental Science and Engineering Academy and the W.S. Permenter Middle School Entrepreneurship and Design Academy. Rising sixth and seventh graders enrolled in CHISD and surrounding communities are eligible to apply.  

Students will experience hands-on learning in new maker spaces and will help solve real-world problems brought in by industry experts. The new academies are driven by student interest and and the rise in demand for industry workers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2010-2014 the demand for some industry-specific engineers grew by double digits. However, the graduate rate for engineering students stayed flat. To help students gain exposure to lucrative careers, the district partners with Southern Methodist University Lyle School of Engineering and other academic and industry leaders.

The academies will be housed inside the existing middle schools, and are tuition-free. Only 100 students will be accepted into each academy. Enrollment is by application only. Parents must attend an information meeting to complete the application process. The next parent meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., March 21 at the Cedar Hill Government Center, located at 285 Uptown Blvd. The application deadline is March 24. More details can be found here.  

*Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math