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=Welcome to our shared space as we begin the process of opening the __Rochester STEMM School!__ Please use the options at left to navigate the pages of our space. Feel free to add and edit content as you see fit.=

__**OVERVIEW**__
While the district continues to make strides at closing the achievement gap, we are still faced with that fact that only 5% of black students at JM met the MCA math proficiency standards. Mayo and Century are better, but still not acceptable. It is apparent that our current model, even with improvements, cannot meet the needs of every student, particularly those of color or low economic status.
 * Need **

The workforce of our students’ futures will require skills in math and science and the application of technology in every learning environment. Although graphing calculators and math software (CAS) has been available for several years, this technology has not yet made its way into our district math curriculum.

A smaller, math/science emphasis, teacher-led school has the flexibility to address both of these concerns. ** Mission ** Our school will use the project based education model, a commitment to technology and a highly relational environment to instill academic achievement, hope and lifelong learning skills to students currently struggling in the traditional school environment. ** Values ** We believe all students can succeed at a high academic level. The three Rs – Rigor, Relevance, and Relationship will be stressed at every level. We believe technology should be actively embraced whenever and wherever possible. We believe parents and guardians should be involved in the everyday life of our school. Grade level: 6-12. Timeline: Begin Fall 2010 with 25 students in each of 6th, 7th,8th, and 9th grade. Add 25 new 6th graders each year, with a maximum of 150 students. This school targets students who are not succeeding in a traditional school environment. ** Educational Model ** We will use the project-based approach as our model. This model emphasizes the teacher as a mentor to a small learning community. It allows students to take control and responsibility of their own learning, while the mentors insure a high degree of rigor and academic performance. This model also allows the flexibility in the curriculum for students to work under the mentorship of community experts. ** Leadership Model ** The school will be accountable to Rochester Public Schools for demonstrated student achievement. The school will be accountable to a site governing team with a majority on the team being teachers at the school. Day to day operations of the school will use the teacher professional practices model. An administrator will be hired to carry out the business and administrative duties not involving direct student contact. ** Staffing ** Initiating teachers: David Pugh (Math), Laura Zumbrunnen (Engineering), Nicole Urbatch (Language Arts, middle school), Will Ruffin (Social Studies, middle school) Additional teachers: Once students are recruited and a budget prepared, additional staff will be hired. Applications will include a signed commitment to the mission, values, educational model and staff expectations as developed by the site governing team. ** Budget ** Upon approval by the school board, the initiating teachers will develop a budget. Revenue will be the entire state/local/federal funds the district receives for each of the students attending the school. The school will purchase back from the district, at a per-pupil district average, the services of the superintendent’s office, school improvement office, human resources, payroll, and business offices. Other district services may also be purchased, as determined by negotiations once the district has approved the proposal.
 * Students **