The STEM program provides the opportunity for academically able students in grades five through eight to participate in advanced courses in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. This program is academically rigorous and requires both parent involvement and student effort. Students should be productive during class time and should also complete at least 30 minutes of work each night for each class. Parents should actively monitor student progress and help the students to maintain an acceptable pace in their work.
Key Elements and Co-Curricular Activities
Units of scientific inquiry to include programming languages (SCRATCH and Python), engineering design process, micro:bits
An advanced math track enabling students to enroll in geometry in eighth grade
Accelerated Earth & Space, Life, and Physical Science curriculum with laboratory experiences
Course Offerings
5th Grade
Accelerated 5th grade math course to prepare students for Pre-Algebra
6th Grade
Pre-Algebra
STEM Science – Trimester 1 Scratch programming; Trimesters 2 and 3 – Accelerated Earth and Space Science
7th Grade
Algebra
STEM Science – Trimester 1 Engineering Design Process; Trimesters 2 and 3 – Accelerated Life Science
Science Fair – required of all 7th grade students
8th Grade
Geometry
STEM Science – Python programming, Engineering and Electronics, Microcontrollers
Admission Qualifications
- Must maintain an 93% or above in Aquinas math courses
- Must score at or above the 81st percentile on the math portion of the MAP test
- Must qualify for “summer programs” on the quantitative section of the SCAT administered by CTY
- Must achieve a 80% or above on the 5th grade math placement exam, or Diocesan PreAlgebra math placement exam
- Must have a positive teacher recommendation
- Must maintain a 80% or above in STEM math course and successfully complete the course
- Must score at or above the 81st percentile on the math section of the MAP test
- Must achieve a 80% or above on the diocesan Pre-Algebra placement exam
Students who have successfully completed (90 or better) Pre-Algebra in 6th grade and Algebra in 7th and who receive a 77 or better on the Diocesan Algebra Exemption Exam given may be considered for special enrollment.
Testing
Prior to applying to the STEM program students take the SCAT test. Parents can attend an informational meeting normally scheduled at the beginning of March.
SCAT (and Advanced SCAT): The School and College Ability Test (SCAT) is a CTY assessment used for admissions to their online and summer programs. Since students in the STEM program also participate in CTY online courses they are required to take the SCAT through CTY. For enrollment in the STEM program, students must have a score on the quantitative section that makes them eligible to participate in “summer programs”. Parents are responsible for registering for individual testing at a testing center and sending a copy of the score report to Aquinas by the date indicated on the calendar of dates. Our registered school name with CTY is St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School. Our school code is: 2219160. Please see their website for more information about the test, testing registration and locations, as well as practice tests.
Algebra and Geometry Exemption Exams: At the end of seventh grade, students will take the Algebra Exemption Exam at one of the diocesan high schools. The successful completion of the exemption exams is necessary in order for students to receive high school credit at the diocesan Catholic high schools. STEM students who do not pass the Algebra Exemption Exam in seventh grade must repeat Algebra the following year. At the end of eighth grade, students will take the Geometry Exemption Exam at one of the diocesan high schools.
Application and Admission Process
Fifth Grade is an introductory year providing the foundation for the accelerated math curriculum in the years to come. Participation in the STEM program is highly recommended by the school. The fifth grade year provides the school, student, and parent the ability to assess a given student’s aptitude for the STEM program before engaging in the rigor of the middle school program. Students currently enrolled in the STEM program will be re-evaluated to ensure the students have met the requirements for the previous year. If a student has not met the requirements, a meeting will be set up between the Principal, STEM Coordinator, the parents, and the student to determine a course of action for the next school year. Determination for continued admittance will be based on the criteria given below.
- Attend the information night
- Register to take the SCAT test through CTY (see deadlines listed on the program calendar)
- Fill out the St. Albert the Great STEM program application
- Submit a teacher recommendation form to the student’s current math teacher
- Admissions is determined according to the qualifications listed earlier
- Submit Standardized Math Test Scores; VA public school test, if not an Aquinas student.
- Successfully complete STEM 5th Grade Math (maintain an 80% or better)
- Successfully complete Pre-Algebra in the case of rising 7th graders
- Successfully complete Algebra in the case of rising 8th graders
- Admissions is determined according to the qualifications listed earlier
